The review
All EV Sales editorial review. Researched from official specifications, safety ratings and published expert reviews; not a first-hand owner review. Key facts Price from: A$56,770 (Air Standard Range, Australia, before on-roads) · £39,345 (Air, UK) Official range: 400–555 km (WLTP, Australia) · 313–329 miles (WLTP, UK) 0–100 km/h: 8.9 seconds (Air Long Range, Australia) · about 6.1 seconds (dual-motor AWD, Australia) Peak DC charging: 140 kW (Australian Long Range) · 150 kW (UK) Safety: 5 stars Euro NCAP (2025) · 5 stars ANCAP (2024) Overview The EV5 is Kia's mid-size electric family SUV. It found 4,787 Australian buyers in 2025, making it one of the country's most popular EVs. It is not sold in the US. A facelift with retuned suspension is due in Australia in the final quarter of 2026. Design & Interior The upright, boxy body translates into a cabin that feels airy and wide. A panoramic display combines the instruments and a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and reviewers rate the software as quick and easy to use. The cabin is solidly built but plain, with a lot of grey. As in other Kias, the climate display can be hidden behind the steering wheel. Wireless phone charging and a surround camera are limited to the top Australian grade. Driving Australian cars come from China with a single 160 kW front motor or a 230 kW dual-motor setup. The front-drive Long Range is the pick according to local testers, feeling better balanced and quieter than the heavier all-wheel-drive version. The main criticism across markets is body control. The soft suspension bounces after bumps and leans in corners, and some testers found it unsettling on country roads. Kia Australia has acknowledged this and says the facelift will address it. Range & Charging Australian versions use BYD-sourced LFP batteries. The 88.1 kWh Air Long Range is rated at 555 km. Testers recorded about 16.7 kWh per 100 km, better than the official figure. The all-wheel-drive grades drop to 470–500 km, and one tester measured over 22 kWh per 100 km. UK cars are Korean-built with an 81.4 kWh battery and 313–329 miles of range. DC charging of 140–150 kW is adequate, not quick. Practicality This is where the EV5 scores well. Rear legroom and headroom are generous, and the outer rear seats recline. The middle rear seat is firm and raised, so three adults will be cramped. The boot holds 513 litres in Australian specification, or 1,714 litres with the seats folded, and there is a 67-litre front compartment. Australian buyers get a seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty. Safety ANCAP awarded five stars in 2024. Scores were 88% for adult occupants, 86% for children, 74% for vulnerable road users and 82% for safety assist. Euro NCAP also gave five stars in 2025, and Kia reports scores of 83%, 85%, 74% and 80%. Standard equipment includes seven airbags, autonomous emergency braking and Highway Driving Assist 2. Reviewers find the speed-limit alert persistent and awkward to silence. Verdict The EV5 is a practical, well-equipped family SUV with a spacious cabin and mature driver aids. The front-drive Long Range offers the best balance of range and price. Buyers who care about ride quality and body control should test drive it carefully, or wait for the facelift. The Tesla Model Y and Skoda Enyaq charge faster and drive more tidily. How we rated it Range 3.5 (strong in front-drive Long Range form, weaker with AWD, average charging) · Performance 3.0 (adequate pace, soft and floaty body control) · Safety 4.5 (five stars from both bodies, intrusive speed alerts) · Comfort 4.0 (spacious and quiet, but bouncy over bumps) · Overall 4.0 (average 3.75 rounded up; no value adjustment). Sources ANCAP rating: https://www.ancap.com.au/safety-ratings/kia/ev5/518902 Euro NCAP 2025 result: https://news.euroncap.com/safercars/kia-ev5---euro-ncap-2025-results---5-stars/s/597fc63f-1d48-489c-9d70-3a3044891ec2 Kia UK, Euro NCAP scores: https://www.kia.com/uk/about/news/kia-euro-ncap-car-safety-ratings/ Kia UK EV5 prices and specs: https://www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/ev5/ Kia Australia EV5 range: https://www.kia.com/au/cars/ev5.html CarExpert review (Australian pricing): https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2026-kia-ev5-review-1 CarExpert Earth AWD review: https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-reviews/2025-kia-ev5-earth-awd-review Carwow review: https://www.carwow.co.uk/kia/ev5 Chasing Cars, facelift timing: https://www.chasingcars.com.au/news/electric-vehicles/kia-ev5-facelift-coming-late-2026-with-suspension-fix-new-infotainment-system/