Kia EV5 - Derry Motoring with Jim Mc Cauley
The Kia EV5 is another stepping stone in the Korean company’s business strategy to have a global line-up of 14 all-electric vehicles by 2030. Avoiding the myriad of silly names now peppered across the motor industry, Kia maintains a simple and sensible numerical system. The EV5 sits above the EV4 and below the EV6 as the company’s contender in the crowded C-SUV segment.
Influenced by exterior design cues from Kia’s other EV models, the EV5’s bold, boxy presence is immediately obvious. Offering an all-electric choice alongside its internal combustion counterpart, the Sportage, it is a fraction longer, wider and taller. A wide nose with a bold bonnet indentation lends the EV5 an assertive presence, while a rugged front bumper completes the face of the car. The squared-off front and rear wings give the car a confident and rugged stance, while at the back the rear spoiler extends over the rear window to improve the car’s aerodynamics.
While the range is available in three trim levels, all share the same long-range 81.4kWh battery. Review model is the front-wheel drive ‘Air’ specification while all-wheel drive is offered on the two higher trims – ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’.
For the front-wheel drive models, power is rated at 214bhp with 295Nm of torque. In the review model, this takes it from 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds with a given top speed of 102mph, marginally slower than the returns for the 261bhp all-wheel drive versions.
However, the ‘Air’ specification offers the longest range at 329 miles and when I charged the vehicle to 86% charge, it equated to the given maximum range if fully charged. A 10-to-80% charge can be accomplished in as little as 30 minutes when plugged into a DC fast charger, and all EV5s feature an 11kW on-board charger that accepts both single-phase and triple-phase inputs. Using an 11kW AC charger, it will replenish overnight from 10-to-100% in 7 hours and 20 minutes.
On road, and there is no need to tamper with an established format. Controls are standard Kia with direction and parking choices controlled on the right hand steering column stalk and a fully integrated 30-inch instrument panel housing both driver information and infotainment – 12.3 inch for the driver and 12.3 inch for the infotainment. Five drive modes are fitted as standard and include Normal, Eco, Sport, ‘MyDrive’ and Snow settings.
On 18-inch wheels, ride is comfortable adding to the target of being a family vehicle with the square section body providing excellent all-round interior space. A progressive throttle allows for smooth low speed control and confident driving experience while it excels on the open road in terms of quietness and all-round comfort. In terms of braking, Kia’s new i-Pedal system allows the driver to adjust the level of regenerative braking.
The vehicle’s comprehensive ADAS suite includes Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Rear-Cross Traffic Collision. It also features several technological advancements to provide market-leading convenience and connectivity.
Standard equipment includes LED headlights with automatic control, heated front seats and steering wheel, Start/stop button with smart entry system, as well as Bluetooth with music streaming.
The Kia EV5 in ‘Air’ specification is priced from just under £40,000 on the road, supported by a 7-year, 100,000 mile warranty. BIK is at 4% for business users.