The Kia EV5 Is A Love Letter to Europe. Sorry, America
Image Credit: Kia.
You know, in this job, I see a lot of car companies trying to be everything to everyone. They want a car that's a sports car, but also a family hauler, and an off-roader, and it should probably make you a perfect cappuccino, too. It can get a little much. So, when a car comes along that seems to know exactly what it is, I get all giddy. Meet the Kia EV5, the newest member of Kia's electric family, and honestly, it might just be the sensible one.
If you've seen the big, bold, and wonderfully boxy Kia EV9, the EV5 will look mighty familiar. It's like someone left the EV9 in the wash a tad too long, and it came out a perfect, family-friendly size. It slides into Kia's lineup right between the cheeky little EV3 and the sleek EV6, creating a sort of Goldilocks situation. And for many European families, I have a feeling this one is going to be just right.
Image Credit: Kia.
Let's not forget that the EV5 already exists in China, but this European version is a different kettle of fish, and a tastier one at that. While the Chinese model uses one type of battery, Kia has given the European model a rather lovely 81.4 kWh NMC power pack.
For those of us who don't speak battery chemistry, that simply means it's targeting a range of up to 329 miles. That's literally just enough to get you from Paris to Amsterdam with a few miles to spare for a celebratory waffle. Yes, Europe is that small.
Image Credit: Kia.
At launch, the EV5 will come in a front-wheel-drive setup with a single motor. It puts out a perfectly adequate 215 horsepower and about 218 lb-ft of torque. It's not going to rearrange your internal organs when you stomp on the accelerator, but it will get you, the kids, and a trunk full of groceries up to speed without any fuss. It's the sensible shoe of electric powertrains - comfortable, reliable, and it gets the job done.
But if you like a little more sizzle with the steak, don't you worry. Kia has an all-wheel-drive version hiding up its sleeve. This dual-motor variant, which is already cruising around Australia, bumps the power up to a much more exciting 230 kW and 354 lb-ft of torque. That translates to a 0-to-62 mph sprint in just over six seconds. See? Sensible shoes, but with a sporty little kick.
Image Credit: Kia.
When it's time to refuel your electrons, the EV5 plays nicely with the fast chargers. Kia says you can go from a nearly empty 10% to a road-trip-ready 80% in about 30 minutes. That's just enough time to grab a coffee, use the restroom, and convince your children that, no, they cannot have another bag of candy.
Even better, it has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability. This nifty trick lets you use the car's battery to power other things, providing up to 3.6 kW. You could run a mini-fridge, charge your laptops, or, most importantly, power a margarita blender on your next camping trip. Now that's innovation.
Image Credit: Kia.
Size-wise, the EV5 is what I'd call intelligently proportioned. At about 181.5 inches long, it's a smidge more compact than a Tesla Model Y, making it a dream for navigating tight European city streets and those ridiculously small parking spaces. It's got that signature "Tiger Face" and upright stance like its big brother, the EV9, giving it a real presence without being obnoxious.
Inside, though, is where the magic happens. Kia calls the interior a "lounge-like environment," and for once, the marketing jargon is actually true. The dashboard is clean and dominated by a beautiful panoramic screen housing two 12.3-inch displays.
Image Credit: Kia.
But - and please, join me in a round of applause - there are still separate, physical buttons for the climate control! Hallelujah! No more trying to adjust the fan speed by stabbing at a touchscreen while hitting a pothole. To top it off, the seats come with massage, heating, and ventilation. The EV5 can really be your own personal spa on wheels.
The damage? Well, Kia hasn't given us the official price tag just yet, but we can make a pretty good guess. It'll sit above the EV3 and below the EV6, likely starting somewhere under $50,000. Considering the Australian version starts at the equivalent of about $34,000 (those lucky Aussies), it promises to be a fantastic value, packed with tech and comfort that feels far more expensive.
Image Credit: Kia.
And now for the fun part. If you're reading this from the United States, I have some news about the EV5. You can't have it. I know, I know. It seems perfect, doesn't it? A stylish, practical, feature-packed electric SUV at a potentially great price.
Kia has decided this particular gem is for Europe, Canada, and a few other lucky places. Honestly, I'm not even mad. We have our gigantic trucks and SUVs that could double as studio apartments. Let Europeans have the perfectly-sized EV5… Who am I kidding? Can someone please talk to Kia's boffins and tell them the EV5 would be perfectly at home over here?
