Choosing your first or next electric car can feel like a bit of a minefield, can’t it?
As here you want the planet-friendly benefits and the low running costs, but the fear of range anxiety or a "soulless" driving experience often lingers in the back of your mind. Many electric SUVs on the market today feel either far too clinical or simply don't have the rugged practicality that a busy British family actually needs for your school run or a wet weekend away.

But that could be where the new KIA EV5 steps in to save the day, and as you will soon see, it is a bit of a game-changer if we are being honest.

Here, it manages to wrap up the latest cutting-edge technology into a package that feels incredibly robust and user-friendly, solving the "boring EV" problem in one fell swoop.

But, is it good enough to be your best next SUV, or does it fall short? Well, in this buyer's guide and review, we will help you discover everything you need to know about this car to find out if it's right for you or not.

Why Choose the KIA EV5?

• ✅ High Seating Position - Providing a clear 1,600mm height for a commanding view of the road.
• ✅ Compact Dimensions - Perfectly sized for British driveways at 4,615mm in length.
• ✅ Flexible Space - A massive 513-litre boot plus a handy 67-litre frunk under the bonnet for your charging cables.
• ✅ Build Quality - Premium soft-touch materials used throughout the cabin for a truly "expensive" feel.

If you are trying to picture where this fits in the KIA line-up, think of it as the futuristic, electric alternative to the legendary KIA Sportage.

While it shares a similar road presence, the EV5 does sit on a dedicated electric platform that pushes the wheels right out to the corners, giving it a 2,750mm wheelbase.

This means that despite being a manageable size for parking at the local Bath Road Retail Park, it offers you the interior space that genuinely rivals much larger vehicles, and we do not say that lightly.

For instance, when you are navigating the tight turns of the Chippenham town centre, you will really appreciate the clever engineering under the skin here in our opinion. As it feels far more agile than you might expect for a sturdy SUV, largely thanks to a tight turning circle that makes U-turns and multi-storey car parks a doddle, all while it strikes that perfect balance between having a commanding view of the road and being easy to thread through narrow Wiltshire lanes.

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction - The New KIA EV5
• 2. Why Choose the KIA EV5?
• 3. Just Want to Experience the KIA EV5 Today?
• 4. Exterior Design - A Bold Statement
  • 4.1 The Front Profile
  • 4.2 The Side Profile
  • 4.3 The Rear Design
• 5. Interior and Practicality
  • 5.1 Dashboard and Technology
  • 5.2 Legroom and Comfort
  • 5.3 Boot and Storage
• 6. Performance and Battery
  • 6.1 Driving Feel
• 7. Technical Specifications
• 8. Dimensions and Safety Table
• 9. Frequently Asked Questions
  • 9.1 Real-World Range
  • 9.2 Charging Times
  • 9.3 Towing Capabilities
• 10. The Final Verdict
• 11. Related New Car Reviews
• 12. Who is Chippenham Motor Group?

Exterior Design - A Bold Statement

The moment you see the KIA EV5, as we did, we are sure, you know KIA isn't just playing it safe anymore - as this thing really has genuine road presence.

As it clearly follows the "Opposites United" design philosophy, which gives it a planted toughness that makes it feel unfazed by a rain-lashed B-road.

In fact, it looks like a baby KIA EV9, which is high praise considering that car is the flagship of the entire range.

The Front Profile

At the front, for instance, here the traditional grille is replaced by what KIA calls the "Digital Tiger Face," featuring a clean and aerodynamic surface.

The standout feature, though, is the "Star Map" signature lighting, which uses intricate LED patterns that look incredibly sharp at night, we must say.

This then gives the car a wide, confident stance that measures 1,875mm across, making sure that you won’t be missed on the road for sure.

The Side Profile

Moving to the side, the EV5 then has a very square, upright silhouette that just screams "practical SUV" to us.

As here the flush-fitting door handles pop out when you approach, which isn't just a cool trick - it helps the car cut through the air more efficiently as well to help increase your range with better areodynamics.

So much so that you also get chunky wheel arches that house stylish 18-inch or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on which trim level you choose.

The Rear Design

Then the rear of the car is just as distinctive as the front, with a full-width LED light bar that wraps around the corners of the boot lid.

This then features a clean, uncluttered tailgate and a prominent roof spoiler as well, which both extend out by several millimetres to help you with your aerodynamic stability on the whole here.

In fact, it is a very cohesive design to us that makes the EV5 look modern without being overly "fussy" in the process.

Interior and Practicality

Then, when we stepped inside the cabin at our official and authorised KIA Chippenham dealership, we were immediately struck by how airy it just feels throughout.

Because there is no bulky transmission tunnel running through the middle, the floor is completely flat.

This opens up a huge amount of room for your feet and allows for some very clever storage solutions between the front seats.

Dashboard and Technology

The dashboard is then dominated by a massive panoramic display that combines two 12.3-inch screens into one seamless unit, while there is also a separate 5-inch climate control screen tucked in the middle, which makes adjusting the temperature a lot faster than digging through digital menus as well.

We also found the system to be lightning-fast, responding to touches in a fraction of a second.

As that level of fit and finish isn't just for show, either; as it translates to a cabin that feels properly premium in our view.

As here KIA has used eco-friendly materials throughout, but they have done it so well that you would never guess the seats are partly made from recycled PET plastics.

As a result, it just feels properly screwed together, with no creaks or rattles even when driving over rougher surfaces.

Legroom and Comfort

In the front, you are also treated to a massive 1,050mm of legroom, which is more than enough for even the tallest drivers to stretch out.

Here, the seats themselves are "Relaxation" seats, which can recline significantly at the touch of a button if you are waiting at a charging station.

This, in turn, sets the car more into a mobile lounge, providing you with a level of comfort that puts many luxury cars to shame for sure.

Your rear passengers are also equally well looked after as well, with 990mm of legroom and a flat floor that means even the person in the middle seat has plenty of space for their feet.

In fact, it is a far more spacious environment than a traditional family hatchback like the KIA Ceed.

Whether you are doing the school run in Chippenham or heading off on a long holiday, nobody is going to be complaining about a lack of room back there.

Boot and Storage

For your storage, here you get a generous 513-litre boot with the rear seats in place, which is plenty for the weekly shop or several large suitcases.

However, if you need more room for a trip to the local tip or a furniture run, the seats fold flat to create a massive 1,717-litre cargo area.

Better still, the boot floor can be raised to create a flat loading lip, making it much easier to slide heavy items in and out.

Crucially, though, the EV5 also features a "frunk" under the front bonnet, providing you with an extra 67 litres of space on Front-Wheel Drive models.

This is the perfect spot to keep your wet charging cables, so they don't have to sit in the main boot with your clean luggage for sure. As it is a clever bit of packaging because while it feels like a large SUV inside, it still fits comfortably into a standard UK parking space.

Performance and Battery

The KIA EV5 isn't just a pretty face either; it has the mechanical hardware to back up its rugged looks.

Here, you have a choice of battery sizes, starting with a 64kWh unit for the Standard range or a massive 88kWh battery for the Long Range version.

The Long Range model is then one for those who want to banish range anxiety for good, offering a target range of up to 447 miles on a single charge.

You’ll also notice this most when you’re out on the road, where that solidity means the car feels incredibly planted.

As the Standard model uses a front-mounted motor producing 160kW (about 215bhp), which is enough to zip you from 0-62mph in just 8.5 seconds.

However, if you want a bit more "poke," the dual-motor All-Wheel Drive version cuts that 0-62mph time down to a very brisk 6.1 seconds.

Driving Feel

On a smooth run up the M4 or a trip to the Cotswolds, though, the EV5 is a serenely quiet companion for you.

As here the electric motor provides instant, linear acceleration that makes overtaking slower traffic on A-roads a stress-free experience.

In our opinion, the suspension is perfectly judged for British roads, soaking up potholes and bumps with a sophisticated "thud" rather than a harsh "crash."

Technical Specifications

• Standard Battery - 64.2 kWh
• Long Range Battery - 88.1 kWh
• Max Range (Long Range) - 447 miles
• Max Power - 215 bhp (Standard) / 302 bhp (AWD)
• 0-62 mph - 8.5 seconds (Standard)
• Top Speed - 115 mph
• Charging Speed (DC) - 10% to 80% in 27 minutes
• Drive Type - Front - Wheel Drive or All - Wheel Drive
• Vehicle Length - 4,615 mm
• Vehicle Width - 1,875 mm
• Vehicle Height - 1,715 mm
• Wheelbase - 2,750 mm
• Boot Space (Seats Up) - 513 litres
• Boot Space (Seats Down) - 1,717 litres
• Frunk Space - 67 litres (FWD)
• Turning Circle - 10.6 metres
• Towing Capacity - 1,250 kg (Braked)
• Ground Clearance - 175 mm
• Efficiency - 3.8 Mile/kWh (Estimated)
• Heat Pump - Available for winter efficiency

Dimensions and Safety Table

For your dimensions, here you have:

Frequently Asked Questions

Across our dealerships, we often get asked many questions about the Kia EV5, with some of hte most common ones being:

What is the real-world range of the KIA EV5?

While the official Long Range figure is 447 miles, real-world driving typically varies based on temperature and speed.

You can generally expect around 350 to 380 miles in mixed UK driving conditions, which is more than enough for a return trip from Chippenham to London without needing to stop.

How long does it take to charge the EV5?

If you are using a 350kW rapid charger, the EV5 can go from 10% to 80% charge in just 27 minutes.

For those charging at home with a standard 7kW wallbox, a full charge from empty will take approximately 9 to 12 hours, depending on the battery size.

Can the KIA EV5 tow a caravan?

Yes, the EV5 is a capable tow car for an electric vehicle, with a braked towing capacity of up to 1,250kg.

This makes it suitable for smaller caravans or horseboxes, though you should remember that towing will reduce your overall driving range by roughly 30% to 40%.

What is Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology?

The EV5 comes with V2L technology, which allows you to use the car's battery to power external electrical devices.

With a 3.6kW output, you can plug in anything from a coffee machine at a campsite to a laptop or even an electric bike charger, effectively using your car as a massive power bank.

What is the warranty on the KIA EV5?

Like all models in the range, the EV5 comes with the industry-leading KIA 7-year or 100,000-mile warranty.

This warranty is fully transferable to future owners and covers the high-voltage battery pack, providing total peace of mind for your investment.

The Chippenham Motor Group Final Verdict of the KIA EV5

As you can see, the KIA EV5 really is a bit of a masterstroke of design and engineering that brings the best of the flagship EV9 into a more compact and affordable package.

As it offers you a level of practicality and range that makes it a genuine contender for the best family electric car on sale today.

With its 513-litre boot, 447-mile potential range, and premium interior, it’s a car that doesn’t just look like the future - it feels like it.

So, if you want a car that is as comfortable on the motorway as it is in the city, the EV5 is a must-buy.

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Who is Chippenham Motor Group?

Here at Chippenham Motor Group, we are a reputable automotive dealership based in Chippenham that has been around for a long time in the United Kingdom.

As a result, we are committed to giving you exceptional customer service and offering you a wide range of new and used Kia vehicles for sale, along with others from leading brands as well.

In addition to vehicle sales, we can also give you access to comprehensive after-sales services, including maintenance, repairs, and genuine parts, and our experienced and friendly team are proud that we help every customer find the perfect vehicle to suit their needs and budget.

So contact us today if we can help you find your next car. We are here to help.