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Kia EV5 – electric mobility tailored to European drivers

The Kia EV5 is an electric C-SUV built on the 400 V E-GMP platform, combining bold SUV styling, everyday practicality and advanced technology, designed around European customers.

EvCompass Editorial TeamPublished Updated 7 min read
Article cover: Kia EV5 – electric mobility tailored to European drivers
  • The EV5's design, access features and advanced functions have been tailored to the lifestyles, roads and aesthetic preferences of European buyers.
  • The high-tech EV5 integrates a central display with over-the-air updates, Google POI features and a Generative AI voice assistant.
  • With Digital Key 2.0 and a suite of ADAS systems, the EV5 is ready for the challenges of the future.

The Kia EV5 is an innovative, fully electric C-SUV – the largest and fastest-growing car segment in Europe. Built on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with 400 V technology, the EV5 combines bold SUV styling, everyday practicality and cutting-edge technology. Thanks to a robust, refined construction, a spacious cabin and advanced features, the EV5 has been designed to meet the expectations of European customers.

A strategic model in Kia's electric line-up

In line with Kia's global electrification strategy "Plan S", the EV5 plays an important role in strengthening the brand's leadership position in advancing sustainable mobility in Europe.

"The EV5 is a key model in Kia's European growth strategy. We are entering the most competitive electric vehicle segment in Europe with a model that combines our iconic design philosophy of 'Opposites United', everyday functionality and the innovations electric mobility offers. This underlines our commitment to sustainable mobility tailored to the way Europeans live, work and drive."

Sjoerd Knipping, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Europe

Designed with Europe in mind

True to Kia's design philosophy of "Opposites United", the EV5 has a refined design that reflects European tastes. The EV5 features a boxy silhouette, a clearly defined D-pillar and "Star Map" signature lighting front and rear. Three wheel sizes – 18 or 19-inch on the standard version, 19-inch on the EV5 GT-Line and 20-inch for the sporty EV5 GT, which will follow later – offer both visual and functional benefits.

The EV5 cabin is highly functional. The rear seats fold flat, quickly extending a load floor of approximately two metres in length. An additional asset is the drawer-style centre console storage, which helps keep the cabin tidy.

The EV5's interior feels like a living room at home. The comfort seats feature a massage function for the driver and four-way lumbar support, and are heated and ventilated. Interior trim materials include recycled PET in the seats and floor mats, bio-foam in the seats, centre console and headrests, as well as BTX-free paint on the doors, dashboard and centre console.

A car designed for European roads and Europe's climate

European drivers need an efficient car that adapts to changing road conditions. With a battery capable of storing 81.4 kWh of electrical energy, the EV5 delivers a range of up to 530 kilometres (estimated, WLTP combined cycle). Both the standard version and the GT-Line support fast charging from 10 to 80 percent state of charge in just 30 minutes.

The EV5 offers the third-generation i-Pedal system, allowing the car to be driven comfortably using only the accelerator pedal. The Smart Regeneration Plus energy recovery system increases both efficiency and driving comfort, using navigation data to automatically adjust braking and driving speed to speed limits, cornering profiles, intersections and more. The battery heating and cooling function improves cabin heating efficiency, ensuring strong performance in different climate zones – from a Scandinavian winter to a Mediterranean summer.

With bidirectional charging – including a V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) function delivering up to 3.6 kW – the Kia EV5 can power and charge external devices through an internal 230 V socket or an external adapter. In addition, the EV5 is equipped with a V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) module, ready to operate as soon as the infrastructure or national regulations allow.

"We designed the EV5 with European customers in mind. From the functional seating layout and high battery performance in all conditions to the robust SUV styling and advanced ccNC system – every detail reflects the unique expectations of European drivers, who value not only practical solutions but also design."

Pablo Martínez Masip, Vice President of Product and Marketing

Advanced technology for outstanding connectivity

The EV5 features the latest ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) system, including a Panoramic Wide Display that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display and a 5.3-inch climate control panel. Wireless OTA (over-the-air) updates and the Kia Upgrades platform ensure the model is future-ready today, ready to support features that will be made available later.

Connectivity, especially route planning, has been enhanced. The EV5 comes with Online Navigation, a function that streams live map information to the car and downloads data from the server, with updates every four weeks.

The climate control supports three zones to keep everyone on board comfortable. Simplified operation comes down to a panel with just a few buttons.

On-board comfort is supported by features such as Digital Key 2.0, fingerprint recognition and premium audio from renowned brand Harman Kardon.

Safety that meets high expectations

The EV5 is equipped with seven airbags, a robust body structure and Kia's latest suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). The EV5 will be one of the first Kia models to offer the latest version of the Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA). Based on customer feedback, audio alerts have been improved for greater driver convenience.

In addition to adjusting driving speed, Smart Cruise Control (SCC2) can stop the car in an emergency if the driver does not respond to warnings.

Furthermore, the rear Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist has been extended with front and side sensors (PCA-F/S/R). The system uses sensors and cameras to help prevent collisions from the front, side and rear while parking.

Additionally, the Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2) with Hands-On Detection (HOD) sensors helps maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, keep the car centred in its lane, change lanes and monitor the blind spot in the mirrors.

For added convenience, even from outside the car, drivers can use the Remote Smart Parking Assist 2.0 (RSPA 2.0) to enter or exit a parking space.

A decisive step toward electric mobility

Kia created the EV5 with the next era of electric mobility in Europe in mind. With its appealing SUV styling, comfort-focused features and high efficiency – all of which European drivers expect – the model has every chance of becoming their ideal companion. The EV5 is a decisive step forward both for the Kia brand and for Europe's fast-growing community of electric car users.

Technical data1 – Kia EV5

Body dimensions (mm)

  • Length: 4610
  • Width: 1875
  • Height: 1675
  • Wheelbase: 2750
  • Front overhang: 910
  • Rear overhang: 950
  • Ground clearance: 167

Interior dimensions (mm)

  • Headroom – 1st row: 1075 / 2nd row: 1024
  • Legroom – 1st row: 1117 / 2nd row: 1041
  • Shoulder room – 1st row: 1465 / 2nd row: 1425
  • Hip room – 1st row: 1362 / 2nd row: 1352

Cargo capacity (litres)

  • Behind second row of seats (VDA): 566
  • With rear seatback folded: 1650
  • Front trunk (frunk): 44.4

Powertrain

  • Battery: 81.4 kWh (standard) / 81.4 kWh (GT-Line)
  • Range (WLTP)2: 530 km (standard) / 505 km (GT-Line)
  • Charging time (DC 10–80%): 30 min (standard) / 30 min (GT-Line)
  • Charging power (AC/DC): 11/150 kW (standard) / 11/150 kW (GT-Line)
  • Maximum power: 160 kW (standard) / 160 kW (GT-Line)
  • Maximum torque: 295 Nm (standard) / 295 Nm (GT-Line)
  • Maximum speed: 165 km/h (standard) / 165 km/h (GT-Line)
  • Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 8.4 s (standard) / 8.4 s (GT-Line)
  • Trailer weight: 1200 kg (standard) / 1200 kg (GT-Line)
  • Drivetrain (2WD/AWD): 2WD (standard) / 2WD (GT-Line)
  • Wheel size (inches): 18 (standard) / 19 (GT-Line)

1 Note – technical data is preliminary and subject to confirmation during the European homologation process.

2 With 18-inch wheels. The EV5 GT-Line is not available with 18-inch wheels.

Kia EV5
Kia EV5
Kia EV5
Kia EV5
Kia EV5
Kia EV5
Kia EV5

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