2025 Kia EV5 Review

The EV5 is positioned as a battery-electric midsize SUV that benefits from the technological know-how of its EV6 and EV9 siblings without an excessive price tag.

Its Australian launch was delayed after the company decided to further expand its local suspension tuning program to ensure it holds up against town and country roads alike.

With no shortage of competitors in the world of EV midsize SUVs, the Kia EV5 has its work cut out to make a lasting impression on Australian buyers.

Let’s take a closer look at the Kia EV5 to find out how it stacks up as a battery-electric SUV for Aussies and holds up against its fiercest electric rivals.

Kia EV5 Competition

How Much Does the 2025 Kia EV5 Cost?

Prices for the MY25 Kia EV5 range kick off from $56,770 for the entry-level EV5 Air 2WD Standard Range, while the EV5 Air 2WD Long Range is priced at $61,170.

Stepping up to the EV5 Earth AWD Long Range brings the price to $64,770 while the range-topping EV5 GT-Line AWD Long Range is priced at $71,770.

Keep in mind that these prices are subject to change and do not include on-road costs.

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Kia EV5 Air 2WD Standard Range Specifications

What Features & Specs Does the Kia EV5 Have?

Kia’s entry-level EV5 Air range comes riding on a set of 18-inch alloys and receives LED headlights, tail lights and daytime running lamps, cloth and leatherette upholstery with heated and massaging driver’s seat, front and rear solar glass, vehicle-to-load charging, climate control, adaptive cruise control, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 5.0-inch climate control panel, LED interior lighting and a rear-view camera with front & rear parking sensors.

Stepping up to the EV5 Earth adds a set of 19-inch alloys alongside black exterior highlights, upgraded leatherette upholstery, a powered boot lift and rear privacy glass.

Kia’s range-topping EV5 GT-Line picks up 20-inch alloys as well as two-tone GT-Line leatherette upholstery, LED dynamic indicators, retractable door handles, premium relaxation seats up front, a sports steering wheel, alloy pedals, ambient mood lighting, heated second-row seats, ventilated front seats, an AR head-up display and a heated, cooled rear sliding storage tray. 

Kia EV5 Connectivity & Infotainment Features

It should come as no surprise that as one of Kia’s most contemporary electric vehicles, the EV5 range does not disappoint when it comes to technology.

All members of the range pick up a trio of displays that sit atop the dashboard, with the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster paired seamlessly with a 5.0-inch climate control panel and a 12.3-inch infotainment display.

Kia’s 12.3-inch infotainment system comes packed with the latest operating system, offering quick navigation between menus and a crisp, high-definition display and over-the-air software updates.

There’s satellite navigation with ten years of traffic updates, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio as well as Bluetooth connectivity, with a six-speaker sound system fitted to the EV5 Air & Earth.

Stepping up to the EV5 GT-Line adds an upgraded eight-speaker sound system courtesy of Harman/Kardon.

Buyers also pick up a seven-year subscription to the Kia Connect service which offers vehicle location tracking and diagnostics, battery information, EV charging locations, emergency calls, valet parking mode and remote climate and locking controls.

Does the Kia EV5 Have wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto?

The Kia EV5’s infotainment system offers wireless smartphone mirroring for both ecosystems.

That means that buyers can leave their USB cable at home because the process of pairing your phone wirelessly via Apple CarPlay and/or Android Auto is a simple task and the infotainment system is quick to pair with your phone when you step inside the cabin and turn the EV5 on.

The EV5 is also packaged with four USB-C ports, two in the front and another pair in the rear, to keep your devices charged up.

Is the Kia EV5 Comfortable to Drive?

Behind the wheel, the Kia EV5 is an incredibly smooth and relaxing electric midsize SUV that offers more versatility than many of its rivals.

While Kia was keen to prove that its electric know-how powering the larger EV9 offers seriously imposing acceleration, the company opted for a more reasonable setup with the EV5 that doesn’t quite offer the same G-forces but makes for a much more civilised package overall.

EV5 models with a 2WD setup pick up a single electric motor mounted at the front that produces 160kW of power and 310Nm of torque, offering a 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.

Stepping up to the EV5 AWD range adds another electric motor over the rear axle that, together, produce a combined 230kW of power and 480Nm of torque, dropping the 100km/h sprint to 6.1 seconds.

While the levels of acceleration aren’t mind-bending, they are pretty perfect for family motoring and immensely smooth thanks to the instant and linear characteristics of electric vehicles.

Around town, the EV5 is a particularly user-friendly package that is easy to park, smooth off the lights and, thanks to the regenerative braking system, is reasonably energy efficient on a daily run in the urban jungle.

Kia’s regenerative braking system offers three levels of adjustment when lifting off the throttle, including a one-pedal driving mode which is perfect for stop-start traffic.

The EV5’s steering is nice and lightweight around town, making parking a simple task while beefing up as you pick up speed which adds some confidence behind the wheel.

Thankfully, Kia didn’t rush the launch of the EV5 here in Australia and took the time to make sure it can handle some of our rougher, testing road conditions, instead.

The end result is a smooth and composed ride that, while it leans on the firmer side at times due to the added weight of its battery pack, is much more of an all-rounder than its battery-powered midsize SUV rivals.

When tasked with long-distance hauls on the highway, the EV5 is once again a strong performer, with its near-silent powertrain and incredibly capable suspension package culminating in a great all-rounder for Australian town and country driving alike.

How Far Can the Kia EV5 Drive on a Single Charge?

Maximum driving ranges for the Kia EV5 depend on whether you’re opting for a Standard Range or an Extended Range variant.

Kia EV5 Standard Range variants come powered by a 64.2kWh lithium iron phosphate battery pack.

The company says the EV5 Standard Range is rated at 18.2kWh/100km, offering claimed range figures of 400km per charge.

The EV5’s Long Range counterparts pick up a larger 88.1kWh battery pack and consume a claimed 18.0kWh/100km in 2WD form, meaning the EV5 2WD Long Range offers the largest driving range figures of 555km per charge.

Opting for the flagship EV5 AWD Long Range gives you the same 88.1kWh battery pack, though energy consumption figures jump up to between 20.1 - 21.0kWh per 100km, which means your range potential falls back to between 470 - 500km.

• EV5 2WD Standard Range: 400km

• EV5 2WD Extended Range: 555km

• EV5 AWD Extended Range: 470 - 500km  

Is the Kia EV5 Practical and Spacious?

Kia is no stranger to the world of family-friendly cabins, while the company’s new era with its battery-electric technology allows for even more creative and practical designs that prove a great option for family buyers.

Step inside and things don’t feel like a ground-breaking new product from the year 3000, instead, they’ve been designed to be a bit more familiar to Kia’s existing product lineup with some more futuristic touches.

The overall design mirrors that of its larger EV9 sibling, which means there’s an emphasis on clean lines, storage options and, of course, technology in the cockpit.

The dashboard design isn’t tiered like the EV9 but it does pick up the same trio of screens that are paired seamlessly together and help to give the EV5 a nice contemporary feel.

Headroom in the front of the cabin is plentiful, with an unobstructed view and adjustable driving position adding to confidence and visibility behind the wheel.

Storage options in the front of the EV5 include a large centre console that houses a pair of cupholders and a large rubber-lined tray that receives a wireless charging pad in GT-Line form.

There’s also another level of storage hiding beneath, meaning the EV5’s two-tiered centre console can accommodate a range of bags, purses and loose items, though the design is a little unconventional with the extended passenger’s seat partially covering the console.

There’s also some large bottle holders on each door, a large glovebox and a hook at the base of the dash for handbags or shopping.

Move to the second row of the EV5 and things are outstanding.

With acres of legroom and excellent headroom thanks to the tall roofline, the EV5 asserts itself as a super practical midsize SUV package for those in both rows of the cabin.

Amenities in the rear of the EV5 include USB-C chargers positioned in the back of the first-row seats, a folding armrest with cupholders and access to storage in the back of the centre console.

The EV5 also picks up a pair of ISOFIX anchors and three top tether mounts for child seats, with super easy access into the cabin thanks to wide-aperture doors and tonnes of space to make it easy to install and remove child seats.

All up, Kia has done a great job when it comes to the interior packaging of the EV5, culminating in a super practical package that looks great and doesn’t lack storage options for growing families.

How Big is the Kia EV5’s Boot?

Being an electric vehicle, the Kia EV5 offers a healthy amount of storage in both of its boots.

Thanks to its electric architecture, Kia has been able to provide 67L worth of storage under the bonnet, while a large boot makes it a particularly family-friendly package.

With the rear seats standing, the EV5’s boot measures in at 513L, with some clever side-mounted pegs to help keep valuables and shopping bags from tipping over on the move.

Fold those rear seats down and you’ll unlock a total of 1,714L worth of space for cargo, camping gear or sports equipment.

There are also some clever storage options hiding beneath the floor, with cut-outs that make for a great place to stash valuables or tools.

Is the Kia EV5 Safe?

Kia bundles in a boatload of safety equipment into all members of the EV5 range, though some nice touches are reserved for the range-topping GT-Line.

As standard, the EV5 is packaged with autonomous emergency braking with junction assist, vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, as well as direct and oncoming lane change detection and adaptive cruise control.

There’s also blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assistance with lane-centring, driver attention alerts, lead vehicle departure alerts, a rear-view camera with parking sensors, safe exit warnings and seven airbags.

Upgrading to the EV5 GT-Line adds a blind-spot view monitor, as well as a parking collision avoidance assist system and a surround-view monitor with a live 3D view.

Does the Kia EV5 Have an ANCAP Safety Rating?

It sure does - a five-star rating, in fact.

The Kia EV5 scored its five-star rating after scoring the following marks in its 2024 testing.

• Adult Occupant Protection: 88%

• Child Occupant Protection: 86%

• Vulnerable Road User Protection: 74%

• Safety Assist: 82% 

What Warranty Does the Kia EV5 Come With?

Kia has always been at the front of the pack when it comes to warranty coverage and this very much extends to its latest midsize SUV offerings.

The EV5 is offered with Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty, while the battery pack and high-voltage components are backed by a separate seven-year/150,000-kilometre warranty.

The company also offers eight years of roadside assistance bundled in, when the EV5 is serviced within the network.

Buyers have the choice of three, five and seven-year pre-paid servicing packages which are priced at $980, $1,535 and $2,431, respectively.

Service intervals for the Kia EV5 range stand at 12-months or 15,000-kilometres.

Our Verdict: Is the Kia EV5 Worth it?

The Kia EV5 is a great addition to a massively important and booming segment of the market - the world of electric midsize SUVs.

With sharp pricing in base form, the EV5 impresses with efficient energy consumption figures, lengthy equipment lists and a long-lasting warranty that always helps to soothe the nerves when making the switch to an electric vehicle.

In terms of the driving experience, we think Kia has knocked it out of the park with the EV5 range, with the time spent refining it for Australian roads paying dividends, while its ever-practical cabin stands ready to be put to the family test.

If you’re looking at your best options within the electric midsize SUV segment, be sure to add the Kia EV5 to your shortlist.

On that note, if you’re looking to upgrade to a new car, our team of car-buying specialists is waiting on hand to help find you the best possible price.

Five Kia EV5 Specs You Need to Know

1. Seven-year/unlimited-kilometre vehicle warranty

2. Seven-year/150,0000-kilometre battery warranty

3. 64.2 - 88.1kWh battery packs (Standard vs Extended Range)

4. 400 - 550km driving range figures

5. Five-star ANCAP safety warranty