Kia’s medium-sized SUV offering in its fully electric lineup is the Chinese-sourced EV5, a quite popular BEV model that launched in late 2024 to acclaim a little more lukewarm than that enjoyed by the smaller EV3 crossover or the large EV9 family hauler.
It’s back in the Chasing Cars garage in mid-spec Earth AWD form, priced from $64,770 list or about $70K on road. Outputs are 230kW and 480Nm with a claim of 6.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint.
Well packaged, spacious and fitted with interesting features, the EV5 ought to be a fine centrepoint to Kia’s electric strategy. But as contributor Nathan Ponchard explains in his deep dive, the boxy Korean-branded electric can be a very mixed experience indeed.
Time codes:
0:00 – Intro
1:32 – Earth spec
2:32 – Exterior styling
3:20 – Motors
4:20 – Interior
5:02 – Tech
5:53 – Seats
8:42 – Row two
10:45 – Boot space
12:30 – On road
13:55 – Dynamics
15:04 – Steering
16:06 – Weight
17:30 – Updates?
18:35 – Range
20:01 – Insurance
20:26 – Verdict
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I wish I could filter out the car reviews of EVs and hybrids on YouTube.
Too expensive…
Do you get the Genesis GV70 in Australia?
I actually really like what KIA done with EV5 big (at least for us Europeans 😅) boxy SUV, ok they need to put some effort in driving dynamics and would love them to offer like a overland or soft-roading version,
Like Honda offering Trailsport, Subaru Wilderness,…
Great video keep it up 🤟
Overpriced for a start , have to buy the GT-Line just to get a wireless phone charger, a HUD, a blind spot monitor and a 360 degree camera which is standard on most other Chinese made EV's. I looked at it but bought the BYD Sealion 7 Performance which was much better value . Kia are kidding themselves, like Hyundai they think they are a luxury car brand now.
Sad for the EV5 and great for its competitors, however because it has a KIA badge, they sell quite a lot to disappointed owners if they end up viewing as you have.
Bit of a disaster for KIA, maybe they should ensure their cars meet the expectations of customers
Nathan should review the Kia ev3. He tells it as it is. Loved his tiggo 4 review. Honest and unflinching. Crossed that car off my list after watching his review.
We own an EV5 AIR, 37k in. Really enjoying it tbh. Btw couldn’t agree more about the seats I’m glad ours didn’t have full vinyl.
Maybe today I’d get something else but 12 months ago this was our preference
Still very uneasy to invest in Kia EVs knowing that the other 800v siblings – EV4,6,9 suffers from the still unresolved ICCU issues. The EV5 also has the inferior 12v lead acid battery which can fail prematurely.
Apart from the powertrain the Sportage shits all over this
Will be interesting to see if the Hyundai Elexio shares these faults.
Has poor efficiency, price cut due to poor sales.
EVs with current battery technologies are simply not good enough to replace ICE cars in most use cases. Toyota is right. Hybrid is a much more sensible path until solid state battery reaches usable stage.
So glad we got the EV3. Cheaper and better!
Ugly car.
QBE and ELDERS insurance are some of the worst car insurance companies. Don't pay out claims. 👎👎
Could you please review new Toyota BZ4X base 2WD model ?
Woeful car. Drivers have no idea, every EV5 driver I've met at charging stations takes them to 100% and they charge like a snail. So slow. The ones over Xmas would hog the charger for an hour. UGH!
I'm after an AWD SUV with decent range, and good storage and packaging as I do a lot of road trips in the bush and often town trips with a full load. I wasn't greatly impressed with the ride, though everything else seemed ok. I'm almost tempted to go for a second hand long range AWD Model 3 for road trips and a used Renault Kangoo for the loads. For the same price as a new EV5….
Why do you have to mention so many times that this thing is made in China? What are you trying to imply?
$15k overpriced, at least!
I test drove the GT-line and the Air LR and preferred that over the more expensive model. I really love the look and wanted to like it but I just couldn't.
We sat in it for 30 seconds, got out and walked away. You're absolutely right, it's just not good enough. We ended up with a Zeekr 7X for the same price and so much more value.