Kia’s Electric Evolution: The EV5 and the Dawn of Hassle-Free Motoring
The Socially Conscious Successor Think of the Kia EV5 as the manufacturer’s vegan sausage roll. The combustion-engined Kia Sportage has been an undeniable triumph, with more than 45,000 units leaving showrooms across the UK this year alone, firmly securing its place as the nation’s second-best-selling new car. Factoring in nearly half of Kia’s annual British sales, the Sportage is a remarkably tough act to follow. Yet, the motoring landscape is shifting rapidly. The EV5 steps in as the socially conscious, family-sized electric alternative designed to grab a massive slice of the burgeoning EV sector. While it might not shatter the mould like some of the brand’s previous electric outings, the overarching goal here is simple: sell in absolute shedloads.
Familiar Faces and Scaled-Down Designs There is a distinct sense of déjà vu surrounding this SUV. Kia actually pulled the wraps off the EV5 back in May 2023, and it has already spent the last two years navigating the market in China alongside the broader Asia-Pacific region. Aesthetically, the vehicle leans heavily into the company’s well-established “Opposites United” design language. You get plenty of sharp creases, polygonal body lines, a modernised “Tiger Face” grille, and aggressively narrow LED headlights.
However, a bit of “nesting doll” syndrome is definitely creeping into the line-up. The EV5 feels decidedly less audacious than its immediate predecessors, almost as if the designers deliberately dialled down the spice to make it palatable for everyday buyers. Parked right next to the compact EV3 or the massive EV9, you can certainly pick out the differences, but it ultimately comes across as a downscaled version of the flagship EV9. It undeniably lacks that unique, standalone flavour we’ve come to expect from recent Kia releases.
Under the Skin: Platform and Performance Despite the somewhat derivative styling, the foundation under the bodywork is rock solid. The EV5 rides on the entry-level variant of Hyundai Motor Group’s highly regarded E-GMP architecture, featuring MacPherson-strut suspension in the front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Dimensions land at 4610mm long, 1875mm wide, and 1675mm tall, making it marginally shorter than the standard Sportage.
That slightly smaller footprint means you lose a tiny bit of luggage capacity in the back—offering 550 litres compared to the Sportage’s 591. Fortunately, the engineering team compensated by adding a 44-litre space under the bonnet (often called a ‘frunk’), which is perfectly sized for stowing a charging cable completely out of the way. Powering all current versions is an 81.4kWh battery paired with a single front-mounted electric motor pushing out 214bhp and 218lb ft of torque. For drivers wanting a bit more punch on the motorway, high-performance dual-motor all-wheel-drive and GT variants are officially in the pipeline.
Practicality Meets Compromise Behind the wheel, the EV5 is entirely competent. The steering, throttle, and brake tuning feel incredibly intuitive, making it a highly practical and smooth option for hauling a family around town. Pricing and overall range remain highly competitive against direct industry rivals.
Even so, the vehicle does stumble in a few technical areas. Unlike the rapid-charging EV6, the EV5 relies on a 400-volt electrical architecture, effectively capping its maximum charging speeds. Furthermore, certain competitors simply travel further on a single charge. Kia UK is keeping early expectations realistic, projecting around 6,000 EV5 sales in 2026, though those numbers will inevitably climb as hesitant buyers continue migrating away from the petrol pumps.
Sweetening the Deal: The Kia Care Programme To actively ease that exact transition for new car buyers across the European market, the manufacturer is overhauling its service options. Unveiled recently in Germany in partnership with warranty provider Real Garant, the new “Kia Care” programme aims to eliminate the financial guesswork of vehicle upkeep by covering all scheduled maintenance costs. This comprehensive package handles the burden of parts, labour, and essential fluids, leaving only major repairs and wear-and-tear items up to the owner.
Available for all new Kia vehicles, the contract terms are highly flexible. Buyers can choose plan lengths ranging from a single year up to seven years, or a maximum of 105,000 kilometres, depending heavily on the specific model. Routine servicing can then be handled at any participating dealership. Going a step further to ensure peace of mind, the package includes a robust mobility guarantee for the entire duration of the contract, covering everything from courtesy cars to hotel stays if you ever experience a breakdown. Because the contract is tied directly to the vehicle itself, it automatically transfers to the next owner if you decide to sell, significantly boosting resale value.
Pricing scales naturally with the vehicle’s size and powertrain complexity. For instance, a basic 12-month, 15,000-kilometre package with a single service visit for a subcompact Stonic runs about 300 euros. On the heavier end of the spectrum, locking in seven years and 105,000 kilometres of coverage for a hybrid Sorento—covering seven full maintenance stops—will set buyers back roughly 4,450 euros.
