The Kia EV5 is without doubt one of the most enjoyable EV launches within the globally sizzling C-segment. That includes the standard SUV form, in contrast to the softer however greater Kia EV6, it’s an all-electric various to the Kia Sportage. In March 2024, I explored the Kia EV5 intimately on the 2024 Bangkok Worldwide Motor Present, and right here’s what I skilled by way of consolation, house, options, and design:
Design
Upon first look, I discovered the Kia EV5 to be a small brother of the Kia EV9. There are many similarities within the EV5’s form, however I can inform from my expertise it’s not actually a downsized EV9. Kia, in contrast to most mass-market automakers in the present day, visually differentiates its lineup.
Along with the large, imposing stance, I just like the daring entrance fascia of the EV5. At this angle, I discover it extra interesting than the flagship EV9. The daytime operating lights on the edges kind a strong C-shape, whereas the primary (excessive and low beam) lights resemble a constellation. Barring Kia’s long-in-the-tooth “Tiger Face” advertising jargon, there’s little to dislike concerning the entrance, none in anyway visually.
On the edges, I believe the flattish however regularly sloping roofline, the muscular shoulders, the flush-fitted door handles, and the general boxy form give the EV5 a wise and assured look. I’m not a fan of these aero wheels, although, as their design is harking back to a blender’s rotating blade. I believe chunky wheels just like the Fisker Ocean’s AirGlider would’ve suited the SUV’s character higher.
The Kia EV5 options an electrically opening/closing cost port door, which I believe is fairly cool for a car of this class. I’ve seen some luxury-class EVs twice its worth accept a daily, push-operated cost port door.
On the again, the large, C-shaped tail lights and the clear and clean look of the tailgate appealed to me. Thailand sources the EV5 from the Yueda-Kia three way partnership firm’s manufacturing unit in Yancheng (Jiangsu Province), China. I checked the SUV’s physique for panel hole irregularities, however there have been no evident defects or alignment points, although this was definitely a pre-production prototype. Collection manufacturing of the EV5 RHD model began solely lately, as The Korea Financial Every day reported on April 10, 2024.
Inside
At 5’7, I had no downside with ingress or egress within the entrance. This explicit EV5 was geared up with Kia’s Rest seat on the motive force’s aspect and a daily energy seat on the passenger aspect. I sat within the driver’s seat, which might totally recline, features a thigh cushion extender, and encompasses a therapeutic massage perform. It felt fairly supportive regardless that the aspect bolsters aren’t adjustable.
A therapeutic massage perform is surprising in a car of this class, and after a tiring day of exploring many new fashions, it proved helpful. The therapeutic massage perform wasn’t only a namesake, and from my expertise, I can inform that it makes a considerable distinction in consolation. The seat wasn’t simply vibrating; I felt even the again rollers correctly engaged in motion to assist my sore again!
I discovered the under-thigh help and lumbar help within the entrance of the cabin to be glorious. In my most well-liked driving place, I had about six inches of headroom. Thus, six-foot-tall drivers would even be comfy within the EV5.
I appreciated the truth that most core features had bodily controls like knobs, switches, and buttons. These controls mirrored high quality. The standard of plastic and different supplies was good, too. As with most different fashions, I seen some use of economy-grade plastic within the decrease a part of the dashboard and door panels, however it was total a high-quality inside.
The 12.3-inch infotainment system’s software program additionally left me impressed. It featured catchy graphics and was intuitive. It had a digital keyboard for sure features, and it confirmed no lag whereas scrolling and deciding on. The show’s refresh fee wasn’t top-notch, however it nonetheless seemed fairly clean. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 5-inch touchscreen for the local weather management system carried the identical slick software program. The capacitive contact buttons on the dashboard have been fairly responsive, however I stand by my opinion that they may very well be distracting and inconvenient to function when driving.
Ingress and egress have been easy and easy within the rear, too. Behind the motive force’s seat, I had good under-thigh help and lumbar help. The angle of the backrest was comfy for me, and I noticed {that a} recline perform was out there to make it even higher. I had about six inches of headroom within the totally reclined place and roughly 5 inches of headroom within the default angle. There was a USB Kind-C port proper in entrance of me, within the backrest of the motive force’s seat, and I believe it’d permit me to cost my telephone conveniently.
On the opposite aspect of the bench, the USB Kind-C port was on the interior aspect of the passenger seat’s backrest. Furthermore, in contrast to the individual sitting behind the motive force’s seat, the individual sitting within the different outboard place can take zoom calls or snack on the go. That’s as a result of Kia features a foldable desk (with an built-in pill slot) on the again of the entrance passenger seat. The sturdy high can face up to the load of a laptop computer. There was additionally a slide-out storage field within the heart console to retailer issues like snacks or transportable gaming units.
The ground within the again was utterly flat. Thus, I seen that the middle place of the rear seat was large and extra comfy than in most gas-powered compact SUVs.
Specs
The Kia EV5 is predicated on a front-biased model of the Digital International Modular Platform (E-GMP), which will even be used on the forthcoming EV3 and EV4 fashions. Relying in the marketplace, it’s out there with both an LFP battery pack or an NMC battery pack. There are two LFP variations: 64.2 kWh and 88.1 kWh. Equally, the NMC can also be out there in two completely different capacities: 58 kWh and 81 kWh.
LFP
The EV5 geared up with the 64.2 kWh LFP battery pack has just one motor, which produces 160 kW (214 hp) and 310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.) of torque. It delivers an NEDC vary of 490 km (304 miles). The EV5 geared up with the 88.1 kWh LFP battery pack is offered with the identical motor in addition to a mixture of entrance and rear motor that leads to 230 kW (308 hp) and 480 Nm (354 lb.-ft.) of torque and offers the EV AWD functionality. It delivers an NEDC vary of 665 km (413 miles) within the single-motor FWD configuration and 620 km (385 miles) within the dual-motor AWD configuration.
NMC
The EV5 fitted with the 58 kWh NMC battery pack is below growth however Kia has confirmed it is going to make use of a 160 kW (214 hp) motor that sends drive to the entrance wheels. The EV5 fitted with the 81 kWh NMC battery pack, additionally below growth, will probably be out there in a FWD configuration with that very same motor in addition to an AWD configuration that provides a 70 kW (94 hp) rear motor for 225 kW (302 hp) of whole energy. Kia hasn’t shared the vary targets for these three configurations of the EV5 with an NMC battery pack.
Launch Date
The Kia EV5 is on sale in China, the place its costs begin at simply CNY 149,800 (USD 20,701). With right-hand drive manufacturing now underway on the Chinese language plant, it ought to begin reaching clients in Thailand, Australia, and New Zealand within the coming months. Kia has confirmed it is going to launch the EV5 in Europe and North America as nicely, however based on a report Autoblog printed on October 12, 2023, the mannequin’s North American retail presence, sadly, received’t embrace america.
Additionally See: 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid for the U.S.: First Look Assessment
TopElectricSUV says
The Kia EV5 is a brilliantly designed EV with a pool of premium options that make it the brand new benchmark within the compact SUV phase. It affords ample efficiency and vary, and it’s fairly attractively priced. It’s a disgrace this mannequin received’t be making it to the U.S., which holds the potential for such electrical SUVs.
I obtained my Grasp’s in Enterprise Administration & Administration and have been an Worldwide Automotive Information Editor since 2014. I’ve traveled to world motor reveals and automotive occasions, pushed numerous forms of autos, and targeted on hybrid and electrical vehicles within the final 4 years.
