- Kia has revealed details of the Euro-spec EV5 that goes on sale later this year.
- European buyers will be limited to a single 215 hp motor for the first few months.
- Zero to 62 mph takes 8.4 seconds and a 81.4 kWh battery gives a 329-mile range.
We’ve already driven Kia’s EV5 electric SUV in Australia, but now the Korean automaker is getting ready to bring its Tesla Model Y fighter to Europe. Ahead of sales starting in Q4, Kia has revealed spec details of the Euro-market EVs, and right away it’s apparent that buyers looking for one particular option won’t find it.
While Aussie buyers can choose from both single and dual-motor configurations, Europeans won’t be able to order one of the dual motor, all-wheel drive models from launch. The 308 hp (312 PS / 230 kW) AWD version is coming, along with a more powerful, also-AWD GT performance model, but neither will be on the menu until 2026.
Related: Kia’s New ICE Minivan Looks Like A Crossover EV
Which means anyone in the UK or EU jumping on the first chance to order an EV5 will have to settle for a single 215 hp (218 PS / 160 kW) motor driving the front wheels. Zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes a leisurely 8.4 seconds in the front-driver, though based on our Australian review there’s still a surprising amount of torque steer to contend with.
Sticking with one motor does at least keep the weight down, and that’s good for electric range. Both the base model and the plusher GT-Line get the same 81.4 kWh battery, which uses NMC chemistry, not the LFP type used in other regions, and delivers up to 329 miles (530 km) of electric range.
We say ‘up to’ because that number relates to the Base trim. The GT-Line’s bigger (19- versus 18-inch) wheels and extra equipment cost it 15 miles (25 km), and the 20s on the upcoming GT range-topper will hurt the range numbers further.
Like the EV3, the EV5 misses out on the trick 800-volt electrics fitted to the EV6 and EV9, meaning a 10-80 percent fill takes around 30 minutes rather than under 20. But you still get Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability to keep your bikes, laptops and fridges going when you’re camping or working away from home.
Kia EV5 Base
The dashboard consists of of a 5.3-inch climate screen sandwiched between a pair of 12.3-inch displays: one for gauge cluster duties and another a touchscreen that you might not have to come into contact with very often thanks to the inclusion of the Chat GPT-powered Kia AI assistant. Another touchscreen is located at the back of the console so rear-seat passengers can adjust the tri-zone climate system to their liking.
Kia is pitching the EV5 as an electric alternative to its massively popular Sportage, though the newcomer is a significant 70 mm (27.6 inches) longer overall and its wheelbase is bigger by the same amount. But it’s even more likely that potential buyers will compare the EV5 with the facelifted Tesla Model Y.
We can’t fully size the pair up until later in the year when Kia reveals its prices, but we already know the base RWD, Long Range Tesla’s 5.9-second zero to 62 mph time kicks the Kia into next week, while its 311-mile (500 km) range is in the right ballpark. Which would you pick?
Kia EV5 GT-Line
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