Review: Kia EV5 Air

It must have been an odd sight when I rocked up at Gateshead’s Kia dealership in a brand new EV5 only to pore over a used Sportage SUV.

However, there was method in the madness. My 240-mile round trip to see whether their vehicle was a good fit as our next family car also provided a useful real-world test of the new addition to Kia’s seven-strong EV range.

EV5 prices start at £39,345 for the entry-level ‘Air’ tested here, rising to £42,645 forthe GT Line and £48,720 for the range-topping GT Line S.

All feature a 81.4kWh battery and 214bhp front-wheel-drive drivetrain, with the Air claiming the longest range, its 329-miles achieved thanks to smaller 18-inch wheels.

At 4,610mm long, the EV5 is a little shorter than the Sportage and features a slightly smaller, 566-litre boot, but this is supplemented by 44-litres of storage under the bonnet, a useful space for soggy charging cables.

There is no shortage of interior accommodation. The EV5 looks every bit the scaled down sibling of Kia’s colossal EV9 flagship and, similarly, its square-set silhouette serves up lots of cabin space.

The EV5 is usefully larger than Volkswagen’s ID.4, Volvo’s EX40 and the Nissan Ariya.

The Air’s cabin is a little gloomy. Dark plastics abound. However, it is well designed and specced.

Twin 12.3-inch infotainment and instrument screens are split by a 5.3-inch climate control screen. Further physical buttons allow easy access on the move.

Other trim highlights include seven years of Kia connected services, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone connectivity, heated front seats and steering wheel, parking sensors and a reversing camera, and adaptive cruise control.

Furthermore, the front seats feature Kia’s clever coat hook solution and Type-C charge points handily located on their inside edge.

One notable absence is that of a heat pump. Consequently, the cabin takes some time to warm through.

And what of the EV5’s long run to the North East? The EV5 proved very comfortable, its long wheelbase delivering impressive stability.

Somewhat softly sprung, though, it does lack the dynamic appeal of more agile rivals.

On a chilly day’s driving (not ideal for EV efficiency) we covered 280 miles, largely on the motorway, arriving home with just nine miles remaining after a steady return journey.

I would have charged at the services, but an 89 pence per kilowatt hour charging rate – over 10 times what many EVs owners pay at home – stopped me in my tracks.

Ultimately, I bought the Sportage. That said, the added cabin space of the EV5 and the rising cost of fuel in the days since, do have me questioning whether Kia’s electrified alternative might just hold some appeal above that of the long-time SUV sector favourite. Kia EV5 Air Price £39,345 Engine: 81.4kWh battery Power: 214bhp Torque: 295Nm Transmission: single-speed electric Top Speed: 102mph 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds Range: 329 miles (WLTP combined) CO2 emissions: 0g/km