► Kia’s latest EV lands in the UK later this year
► Sportage-sized but with elements of the EV3 and EV9
► Perfect for when an ICE, HEV or PHEV Sportage isn’t right for you
Nobody could accuse Kia of having a quiet 2025. On top of a stonking EV6 GT refresh, it’s introduced the class-topping EV3 and is readying the edgy EV4. But now there’s even more, the new Kia EV5. It’s Kia’s all-electric answer to its best-selling Sportage, and it’s set to land in the UK before the year is out.
It slots between the EV4 and the EV6 and sits on the group’s E-GMP electric platform, the same hardware you’ll find underpinning the other ‘EV followed by a number’ Kias.
It can trace its roots back to the EV5 concept of 2023, unveiled at the same time as the EV3 and EV4. And while the EV5 has been available in China and the land down under for some time, there have been some substantial changes to ready the car for Europe and the UK.
You’d be right, EV5 bound for the UK looks identical to the Kia EV5 currently sold in China, but there’s more. Unlike with Hyundai’s – admittedly cool – laissez-faire approach, Kia has a very cohesive language for the brand’s EVs. There’s almost a Russian-doll likeness to the range, all stemming from the boxlike Kia EV9.
Those side profile unmistakably take inspiration from it, with its boxy silhouette, high roofline and squared-off wings. The front meanwhile has more than a whiff of EV3 about it with Kia’s ‘Tiger Face’ design and ‘Star Map’ headlights clear as day.
Again, think shrunken EV9 or expanded EV3. The dashboard with its disguised air vents, haptic controls and four-spoke wheel is clear-cut EV9. It also sports the rather pointless toggleable HVAC control screen seen in the EV3.
The EV5 for China features a front bench seat a la ‘60s Cadillac Eldorado, the EV5 destined for Europe sprouts a centre console and two individual front seats.
Interior space is a stand-out. The boot is a chunky 566 litres of boot space, swelling to 1,650 litres with the rear seats folded completely flat. And as if that wasn’t enough, there’s even a 44-litre frunk for storing the charging cable.
This is perhaps the largest difference between an EV5 destined for the UK and one for China – battery chemistry. While Chinese examples use LFP (lithium iron phosphate), we’ll be getting NMC (lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides).
To cut out a GCSE Chemistry lesson, the batteries for Europe and the UK will be lighter and easier to charge in the winter but cost more to produce.
While not homologated yet, the 81.4kWh battery is estimated to offer a range of 329 miles. All examples will be front-wheel drive, offer 214bhp and have a top speed of 102mph. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging is included as standard and there’s a three-pin plug in the interior from which you can run fridges, TVs and even charge another car.
Meanwhile, entertainment packages will be offered, allowing for premium subscriptions to Netflix, Disney+, YouTube and some mildly addictive casual games from the main infotainment screen.
And good news for cats and dogs, this is the first Kia to offer a pet mode. They can expect constant air con, locked doors and interfaces to avoid and paw-related mishaps, as well as a polite message on the dashboard to notify passers by that all is okay.
Kia is yet to announce UK pricing for the EV5 but expect the entry level model to slot between the EV4 and EV6. Kia estimate pricing will start at just over £38,000, while the range-topping GT-Line S will come in at the £45,000 ballpark.
CAR also understands that there is a faster EV5 GT in the works, but no word on when that may arrive, or the specs.
Ryan joined CAR as a commercial content writer back in 2020 and has since moved to be the Car Buying Editor over on Parkers.co.uk. Now he spends his time looking after the used, leasing and finance sections of the website, also sharing the best deals on CAR. When he's not researching market trends, keeping up with industry news or helping out on photoshoots he's usually found trying yet another recipe, at the gym or all over the Parkers social pages.
By Ryan Gilmore
Car Buying Editor for Parkers.co.uk, former product tester and usually found with a calculator.
