The all-new EV5 seamlessly blends into the Kia model line-up embracing a familiar design language whilst having its own unique silhouette. This mid-sized all-electric SUV is available across three trimlines; Air, Earth, and GT-Line.
Air is offered with a front-wheel powertrain, while Earth and GT-Line have an all-wheel powertrain. The front-end design includes a wide nose and solid bonnet, which gives a block like appearance, combined with the rugged lower skid plate. The constellation-shaped ‘Star Map’ signature lighting is repeated on the rear with another lower skid plate and an aerodynamic rear spoiler.
Based on the group E-GMP platform, the EV5 brings standard and long-range electrified power through a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery to the medium SUV segment. Air is powered by either a standard range 64.2 kWh battery or long-range 88.1 kWh battery, while Earth and GT-Line variants are offered solely with the long-range battery. Regenerative braking is controlled via the paddle shifters on the steering wheel (Levels are 0-3).
The claimed range of this EV5 GT-Line is up to 470 km and for my week I averaged 22.9kWh/100km giving me a real-world range of up to 385km. But I had even less confidence in the EV5 achieving this, as the range displayed on the driver’s dash was not indicative of what I was covering in the real-world, sometimes with a variation of around 30%. This is quite unusual for a Kia EV, as those that I have previously driven have usually been closer to the mark.
The Kia EV5’s multi-charging system is compatible with both 400V and 800V chargers, without the need for an additional adapter. This means more options for places to charge along the way to your destination. Using a DC Fast Charge (350kW Charger) it will take approximately 38 minutes to complete a 10-80% charge and for a 50kW Charger approximately 72 minutes. The EV5 comes with a Mode 2 standard household charger, which I used, or you can install a wall box at home and this will do a 10-100% charge with a 11kW AC charger in approximately 8 hours and 10 minutes. The charge port is located on the driver’s side front quarter with a button to open and close the door and the vehicle says “start charging” when the charge commences.
The GT-Line has dual Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors combined with a Single Speed Automatic Transmission (Reduction Gear) and the start/stop button located on the steering column mounted gear selector. The motor has four drive modes Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow, and delivers up to 230kW of power and 480Nm of torque, offering good acceleration with 0-100km/h completed in approximately 6.3 seconds. But at low speeds I felt that the power delivery was inconsistent with a constant feeling that the EV5 was coming on and off the accelerator ever so slightly at lower speeds even without my input.
Like most Kia models, the EV5 has undergone an extensive local ride and handling program to ensure it is suitable for Australia’s unique road conditions. Unfortunately, the ride of this GT-Line still feels jiggly and unrefined over bumpy roads.
The flush door handles protrude to open the vehicle, with keyless entry on both front doors. All EV5 grades come with dual 12.3” displays with a 5” bridging segment for the climate control and refreshingly the EV5 retains for the dual zone climate controls for temperature, air speed and mode adjustment, volume, and infotainment menus. The GT-Line adds a stylish look with two-tone artificial leather used throughout the cabin and has added luxuries like a heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof that opens at the front.
The Wireless Android Auto worked well for me with no drop outs during the week, and wireless Apple CarPlay is also available. The media sources available include AM radio, FM/DAB radio, USB music, USB video, Sounds of Nature and smartphone and the GT-Line has an eight speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system,. The voice control command to select an audio option only works if you have Kia Connect set up.
The EV5 incorporates Kia Connect, a connected car service which provides customer benefits in safety, security, convenience, connectivity, and LIVE services by using telematics systems to transfer real-time data, such as weather and traffic information. The EV5 also offers Australian consumers with Over the Air software updates, which brings the latest maps, interfaces and software enhancements without customers having to visit a service centre.
You can kick back while stationary with the relaxation driver’s seat that incorporates a basic six-cell massage function for driver and three-cell massage function for front passenger on the GT-Line grade. Both front seats are heated and cooled with power adjustment for recline, forward/back and four-way lumbar support. In addition to the relaxation setting the driver’s seat has power adjustment for seat height/tilt front and rear, front leg extension that turns into a foot rest when laid back, and two memory positions.
The area between the two front seats is a kind of a pointless design feature in my opinion as it only has a sleeve stitched into the seat to put your phone in and anything else you put on it just slides off towards the back. The ledge in front has wireless phone charger and wireless key charger and two cup holders with removable bases for easy cleaning. The drink bottle storage cubby in the front doors do fit larger bottles, but it’s a squeeze and they are on a slight angle.
The two USB-C ports and one 12V socket at the very front of the centre console have no ledge near them, so you need to place your phone either in the cup holders or on the area below bridge. I found this space below was just a little too short to be useful for my handbag to be placed there. The EV5 also has a hook with a 2kg limit for your takeaway food bag. Thankfully though there is no gloss black trim in the EV5 and only gloss grey and matt grey used throughout the cabin.
The rear seats had a good amount of head and leg room and under thigh support for me and I liked the single carpet mat across the flat rear floor. The outer seats are heated and the centre seat folds down as an arm rest with two rigid cup holders in it. There are air vents in the B-pillars and you can warm or cool food in the rear sliding storage tray, but I suspect not to food safe temperatures. Drink bottles around the 600ml size can be stored in the rear doors, but the cubby is an awkward shape.
A fold-down table mounted to the back of the front passenger seat provides convenience or the opportunity for the sibling sitting there to really annoy the other sibling, and me for that matter, by constantly opening and closing it! There’s a slot on the table to keep electronic devices in position and one USB-C port on the side of the front passenger seat. Both front seats also have a hook on the headrest to hang a device with a second USB-C port located on the back of the driver’s seat. The EV5 has two ISOFix/three rear tether child seat restraint points.
The rear boot has powered open and close with a button on the tailgate, key fob and in the cabin. The boot space has hooks in the form of movable plastic lugs and there are plenty of cubbies to store smaller items, and one 250V 16amp standard plug. The front half of the boot floor lifts up and locks into place to create a shelf and there is storage under it as well. Further behind under the rear part of the floor is the storage for the charge cord, V2L plug and the tyre repair kit. There’s also a small front boot for up to 25kg of items.
All variants in the Kia EV5 range a five-star ANCAP (2024) rating with an Adult Occupant Protection score of 88% and a Child Occupant Protection score of 86%. Dual frontal, side chest-protecting and side head-protecting airbags are standard. A centre airbag which provides added protection to front seat occupants in side impact crashes is also standard.
The Kia EV5 is fitted with an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system capable of functioning at highway speeds, and a lane support system with lane keep assist and emergency lane keeping functionality, blind spot monitoring and blind spot view displayed in the driver’s dash when you indicate.
ANCAP tests of the AEB (Car-to-Car) system showed GOOD performance overall, with collisions avoided or mitigated in all forward car-to-car and most of the AEB Junction scenarios, where the test vehicle can autonomously brake to avoid crashes when turning across the path of an oncoming vehicle. Performance was MARGINAL in the AEB Crossing scenarios. ANCAP tests of the AEB Head-On system functionality showed GOOD performance. ANCAP tests of lane support system functionality showed GOOD performance, including in most of the more critical emergency lane keeping test scenarios. The overall Safety Assist score is 82%.
I found the driver safety aids were too aggressive, especially the the lane keep assist, and you only have the option to turn them on or off rather than making them less sensitive. The driver attention also bonged quite a bit, which was very annoying. The EV5 GT-Line has a standard rear view camera, a 360-degree view and 3D walk around view with front and rear parking sensors. All three grades have auto lights, auto high beam and auto rain sensing wipers.
All new Kias come with a 7-Year Unlimited Kilometre Warranty and one year of complimentary Roadside Assist. The High Voltage Electrical Vehicle Systems Components have a seven year/150,000km warranty (whichever occurs first) against defects arising in materials or manufacture. Owners can renew their Roadside Assistance package yearly, for up to eight years, by simply returning their vehicle to an Authorised Kia Dealer for its annual scheduled service. For the EV5, service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, and a prepaid service plan can be purchased up front for three years ($1,517), five years ($2,389) or seven years ($3,667).
Prices for the Kia EV5 GT-Live start from $71,770 excluding on road costs and as tested with the Premium Paint in Frost Blue with a Starry Night black roof ($775) this EV5 GT-Line was $72,545 plus on-roads. You can Build & Order your new Kia EV5 on-line or visit your preferred Kia dealer for more information. For a limited time, you can receive a $5,000 deposit contribution on in-stock new and demonstrator EV5 with Kia Finance. Finance applications must be received by 31/1/2026 and settled by 14/2/2026. Terms and conditions apply.
The best decisions start with a comparison and Compare The Market are proud to have helped 23 million Aussies look for a better deal on their insurance. Find out here if Compare the Market can help you save too!
| Pros | Cons |
| Retains physical switches for the climate controls | A lack of confidence in the range available |
| No gloss black plastic trim in the cabin | Inconsistent power delivery at low speeds |
| The single mat covering the flat rear floor | Annoying driver safety aids |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine,