Kia EV5 Review 2026: Prices, specs and verdict

What is the Kia EV5?

The Kia EV5 is an uncomplicated electric SUV that combines technology, space and value.

The electric alternative to the popular Kia Sportage, the EV5’s position is easy to understand. It sits between the EV4 and EV6 in Kia’s EV line-up, with a more practical focus than those two cars.

Some people might find it curious that Kia is selling the EV5 alongside the Sportage, given the two are theoretical rivals and the Sportage offers hybrid power, but Kia clearly thinks the growing SUV market is large enough for both to thrive.

Indeed, the mid-size electric SUV market has never been more popular, as shown by the success of the Renault Scenic, Skoda Enyaq, Vauxhall Grandland and Nissan Ariya. But Kia is playing catch up with the 2026 launch of the electric EV5, which means it has a lot of ground to make up.

Will the Kia EV5 be good enough to mix it with the best electric family SUVs? Read our review to find out.

Verdict: is the Kia EV5 a good car?

With a generous amount of standard equipment, smooth driving dynamics and a smart interior, the Kia EV5 is a capable family SUV. If you are new to the world of electric cars, you will find the EV5’s straightforward tech and spacious cabin to be a big draw.

The Skoda Enyaq is better to drive and has a longer range, but the Kia EV5 is worthy of consideration thanks to its big warranty and impressive value.

Pricing, specs & rivals

Prices for the Kia EV5 start at £39,345, which is just a few hundred pounds more than the cheapest Skoda Enyaq with the 63kWh battery. It is over £3,000 more than entry-point for the Vauxhall Grandland electric with the 77kWh battery.

You get loads of equipment as standard with the EV5, which means you do not need to add costly extras to get the car you need. As a result, the advertised list price should be reflective of what you pay.

We think the entry-level Air spec is no poor substitute because it includes LED lighting, heated front seats, parking sensors, touchscreen sat-nav, a heated steering wheel and privacy glass for the rear windows.

If you want a posher version of EV5 with more tech, the GT-Line will be for you. It starts from £42,645 and adds automatic adaptive beam for the LED headlights, electric adjustment for the driver’s seat and customisable interior ambient lighting. Passengers in the rear also get climate controls and heated seats.

GT-Line S sits at the top of the EV5 range and adds a head-up display for the driver, Harman Kardon sound system, 360-degree camera and an upgraded driver’s seat with a massage function.

You also get a fancy ‘Theatre Mode’ for the infotainment system, which lets you watch videos when parked up – perfect for entertaining the kids on a family trip.

Rivals

Key rivals for the Kia EV5 include the Vauxhall Grandland electric, Skoda Enyaq, Renault Scenic, Toyota bz4x and Nissan Ariya.

If you want an electric SUV with a slightly more premium edge, you may want to consider the Tesla Model Y, Volvo EX40, Smart #5, Peugeot e-3008 and Volkswagen ID.4.

Kia EV5 interior comfort, quality & technology

The interior of the Kia EV5 is smart, comfortable and user-friendly. The dashboard has a fluid yet logical layout which will be familiar to drivers of other electric Kias

You do not get much in the way of colour as everything is either black or grey, but the ambient lighting on GT-Line spec brightens the cabin at night and everything feels well-made, with lots of high quality and soft-touch materials.

The interior of the Skoda Enyaq is more upmarket still, but the EV5 is spacious and comfortable, which means it feels larger than it is.

The entry-level Air spec has a manually adjustable driver’s seat but no adjustment for the lumbar support. We recommend spending extra on GT-Line spec as this includes electric seat adjustment with lumbar support and a memory function.

The entry-level model gets black cloth seats, while GT-Line replaces this with artificial leather. The steering wheel has a heating function as standard and there is a good range of adjustment, which means finding a comfortable driving position is straightforward.

Visibility is fine, thanks to the large windows and elevated seating position. The pillars are also thin, which minimises blind spots.

Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity

All versions of the Kia EV5 get a 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system, which sits in the centre of the dashboard and blends almost seamlessly into the 12.3in driver’s display that sits behind the steering wheel.

If you are new to the world of electric cars, the user-friendly tech in the EV5 will make the switch to an EV an uncomplicated process. The infotainment screen is placed high up on the dashboard so it’s easy to read, while the large icons and simple menu system makes it easy to browse all the key functions from battery charging to radio stations.

There are lots of physical buttons for adjusting the temperature and switching between core infotainment screens, such as map, media and the set-up menu, too.

The steering wheel has plenty of controls, which means you can adjust the audio volume or change radio stations/music tracks without looking away from the road.  

Our only complaint is the position of the climate control panel, which is partly obscured by the steering wheel. But wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is fitted as standard on all trim levels.

You’ll find four USB-C sockets in the cabin and a wireless phone charging pad is standard on the mid-spec GT-Line version.

Air and GT-Line models get a 6-speaker set-up, while the range-topping GT-Line S spec gets an impressive 8-Speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

How practical is the Kia EV5?

At 4,610mm in length and 1,875mm wide, the Kia EV5 is 70mm longer than the Kia Sportage but just 10mm wider. However, from a passenger perspective, the EV5 feels like a much larger car due to its clever interior packaging.

The front seats have lots of head and shoulder space, while the rear seats are wide enough to accommodate three adults sitting side-by-side. The flat floor means leg room isn’t an issue for the person sitting in the middle seat.

From a passenger space perspective, there isn’t much to separate the EV5 with our favourite electric SUVs such as the Skoda Enyaq and Renault Scenic.

Storage and boot space

There is no shortage of storage in the EV5’s cabin. The centre console is a good size with 16.5 litres of space, plus a tray for holding your mobile phone. There is room for a large water bottle, along with large cup holders in the doors.

The EV5’s boot capacity is 566 litres, which is bigger than the Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Grandland but slightly behind the Skoda Enyaq. This means you can comfortably transport a couple of suitcases, along with a child’s buggy. It’ll also manage the weekly family shop with ease.

Getting things in and out is easy, thanks to the wide opening, you also get an adjustable boot floor for a flat loading space.

The rear seats fold flat, which means you can expand the EV5’s storage to 1,650 litres. The EV5 also has a 44-litre under-bonnet storage compartment, which Kia calls the ‘frunk’ it is large enough for muddy boots or the charging cable.

Performance & drive: What is the Kia EV5 like on the road?

With 211hp and 295Nm of torque, the EV5 whirrs you from 0-62mph in an acceptable 8.4 seconds. It feels much quicker on the road, with the EV5 being sprightly up to 40mph. This means you should not get stressed when attempting to find a gap when pulling on to a busy A road or merging onto a motorway.

There are three regenerative braking modes, adjusted by the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. The maximum setting gives you the option to bring the car to a halt via the regen braking alone for one-pedal driving. If you prefer the driving feel of a petrol or diesel car, there is a coasting mode which will reduce the braking regeneration to almost zero.

There are five drive modes - normal, eco, sport, MyDrive and snow. The eco setting numbs throttle response to improve efficiency, while sport provides a small improvement in acceleration. Most drivers will stick to the default normal setting.

The EV5 is relaxing to drive at urban speeds, with its refined throttle and brake responses making it easy to park or navigate slow moving traffic.

Power, 0-62mph times (H4)

• Kia EV5: 211hp, 8.4 secs

Ride and handling

The Kia EV5 is a safe, predictable and easy to drive. It also rides the road very well, which means it is perfectly suited for long trips.

The steering is light at low speeds, which means you don’t need too much elbow grease to persuade the EV5 into a narrow parking space. The steering weight firms up as you build speed, but it will not provide a razor-sharp driving experience.

If you’re looking for more fun from your electric family SUV then you should check out the Skoda Enyaq, while the Renault Scenic also feels sharper in the corners.

That said, there is nothing wrong with the way the EV5 handles and rides. The easy to manage steering will suit most family drivers, while its supple suspension irons out most road imperfections. The 18in wheels provide the best ride comfort, the 19s return a ride quality that sits on the firm side of comfortable.

Noise and refinement

The Kia EV5 provides excellent refinement. The electric motor is smooth and quiet, while road and wind noise are supressed to the bare minimum due to the impressive EV5’s build quality.

The high quality of the cabin also ensures you don’t get any creaks or squeaks from the interior fittings, either. Which means the EV5 is perfect for long, smooth and quiet motoring.  

Euro NCAP: is the Kia EV5 a safe car?

The Kia EV5 was tested by Euro NCAP in 2025, achieving the maximum five-star rating. It was awarded 83% for adult occupant protection, 85% for child occupant protection, 74% for vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

In the safety assist category, the EV5 achieved 80%, which assess the car’s collision-avoidance tech. All versions of the EV5 get a front-view camera and radar that automatically applies the brakes and reduce speed or avoid a collision with a vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist.

A reversing camera and lane keep assist are fitted, along with a warning system that alerts the driver and passengers of approaching vehicles when exiting.  

Charging, range and running costs

Covering up to 329 miles on a full charge, the Kia EV5 will travel a decent enough distance between charges by modern EV standards. But it can’t match the Renault Scenic E-Tech (381 miles) or Skoda Enyaq (359 miles) on outright range.

There is only one battery choice with the EV5, with all versions getting the 81.4kWh unit of which 78.0kWh is usable.

Kia’s headline 329-mile range only applies to the EV5 in Air trim, while the GT-Line and GT- Line S are advertised with 313 miles due to the larger 19in wheels and additional weight from higher level of standard equipment.  

Range on a charge (WLTP figures)

• Kia EV5 Air 81.4kWh: 329 miles
• Kia EV5 GT-Line 81.4kWh: 313 miles
• Kia EV5 GT-Line S 81.4kWh: 313 miles

Charging speeds

• 11kW charging (10% to 100%): 7 hrs 20 mins
• 50kW charging: 1hr 10 mins
• 150kW rapid charger (10% to 80%): 30 mins

The EV5 doesn’t get the impressive 800-volt electrical infrastructure from the EV6 and EV9, which means its charging speeds are more in line with the EV3. The EV5’s peak charging rate is 127kW, while a heat pump is only offered as an optional extra on the GT-Line S trim.

How much does the Kia EV5 cost to insure?

Insurance for the Kia EV5 starts at group 40 for the entry-level Air version and climbs to 41 for GT-Line. The range-topping GT-Line S starts from group 42.

That’s significantly higher than the Skoda Enyaq which sits in group 22 – 32, while the Renault Scenic E-Tech sits in group 32 – 34.