Kia EV5: A Mass-Market Electric SUV Aimed at the Heart of the Segment
Kia has brought the EV5 to Europe, a fully electric SUV designed to slot between the EV4 and EV6. Unlike its bigger sibling, this newcomer doesn’t chase luxury aspirations but instead targets the crowded middle of the market—the space where volume is highest and competition fiercest.
The EV5 ticks all the expected boxes: angular, characterful design, a minimalist cabin dominated by three screens, and a claimed driving range of up to 530 kilometers. Fast charging is said to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in around 30 minutes—a credible figure, though as always, heavily dependent on charging infrastructure rather than the car alone.
Inside, Kia emphasizes practicality and space. Rear seats fold completely flat, creating a load floor nearly two meters long. The SUV offers a 566-liter trunk plus a 44-liter frunk. Flexibility is a key selling point: the EV5 supports vehicle-to-load (V2L), allowing owners to power a laptop or even a fridge, and is engineered for future vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability once regulations catch up.
On safety, the EV5 brings seven airbags and a comprehensive ADAS suite, including adaptive cruise control, remote parking, and lane-keeping systems. Extra touches like a fingerprint scanner or a Harman Kardon sound system add showroom appeal, though they’re more embellishments than game-changers for daily life.
For Kia, the EV5 is a strategic product: a mainstream electric SUV built to capture the fastest-growing slice of the market. The real contest is no longer whether EVs will reach the masses, but which brand can deliver the most usable package at the sharpest price. Kia’s bet is clear—forget frills, focus on families.
