Summary
The Kia EV5 is a mid-size electric SUV introduced to the UK market in late 2025. It sits between the smaller Kia EV3 and larger Kia EV9 in the brand’s electric range, offering a spacious interior with ample rear passenger and more cargo space than its smaller sibling.
Built on the same platform as the EV3, the EV5 delivers around 330 miles of official range from its 81 kWh battery and launches with front-wheel drive, with all-wheel-drive variants expected shortly. A higher-performance EV5 GT model is also likely to arrive before the end of 2026.
Safety performance is a highlight: the EV5 achieved a full five-star Euro NCAP rating, with strong scores for adult and child protection.
In the Eco category, its zero tailpipe emissions deliver an A-grade score, while warranty coverage also rates highly thanks to Kia’s standard multi-year protection.
Running costs score above average, although comprehensive long-term servicing and maintenance data is not yet available. Because the EV5 is brand new, reliability data from service networks is not yet sufficient to form a score.
Early media reviews describe the EV5 as a practical and comfortable family SUV with spacious accommodation and sensible packaging, though not class-leading in range or charging speed compared with some rivals.
As of February 2026, the EV5 holds a New Car Expert Rating A, with a score of 79%. The score reflects strong performance in safety, environmental credentials and warranty cover, alongside solid early media reviews. As long-term data becomes available, the reliability picture will become clearer.
Stuart’s view:
“The Kia EV5 makes a strong case. Kia’s recent electric models — including the EV3, EV6 and EV9 — are multiple award winners at The Car Expert, and have been widely praised for their practicality, usability and overall polish, which bodes well for this new addition to the family.
However, this is a highly competitive market. Some rivals offer faster charging speeds or slightly longer range, so the EV5’s appeal is likely to lie in its balanced ownership proposition, including value, equipment levels and Kia’s strong warranty.”
Key specifications
Body style: Mid-sized SUV
Engines: electric, front-wheel drive
Price: From £39,345
UK launch: Winter 2025/26
Image gallery
Media reviews
Featured reviews
“In an increasingly competitive family electric SUV marketplace, the Kia EV5 is a very good choice. With the added reassurance of Kia’s seven-year warranty, it becomes quite compelling.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
The Car Expert
Stuart Masson, Matt MacConnell
“There is little wrong with the new Kia EV5 in isolation, yet it struggles to stand out in the increasingly crowded mid-size SUV class.”
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
Read full review
Auto Express
Shane Wilkinson, Richard Ingram
More reviews
Car
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 9 / 10
“Like the Sportage, the Kia EV5 is a thoroughly sensible family car that understandably prioritises comfort and stability over driving thrills. Well calibrated controls mean this is still a satisfying steer, and the range is certainly competitive based on our experiences.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review
Carwow
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia EV5 has a smart cabin with loads of storage inside, but it can’t charge as fast as some of the brand’s other electric cars.”
Author: Darren Cassey
Read review
Electrifying.com
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8 / 10
“The Kia EV5 is just a great all-round package. It doesn’t feel radical, and it’s very much an evolution of the tech and styling that we’re now really familiar. It is a bit of a shame that the EV5 doesn’t get the 800V ultra-rapid charging that the EV6 has. But the EV5 is still exactly what many buyers will be looking for in an electric family SUV; confident dynamics, spacious interior, kerbside appeal and plenty of tech and comfort. All at a really decent price.”
Author: Ginny Buckley
Read review
Honest John
Model reviewed: Range overview
“The Kia EV5 has imposing EV9-inspired styling, shrunken to fit a more affordable package, along with decent driving range and performance balance. Inside, you’ll find a slick, well-equipped and spacious interior. But it needs to feel like substantially more car for the money than the excellent EV3.”
Read review
Parkers
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 8.4 / 10
“If you can stomach a starting price higher than many rival models, then there are plenty of very good reasons to buy the Kia EV5. Few other family SUVs in this class can beat it for comfort, and the driving experience has far more polish than most of the Chinese alternatives that have been flooding the market recently. Equipment levels are generous, and then there’s the space.”
Author: Alan Taylor-Jones
Read review
The Independent
Score: 9 / 10
“Think of the Kia EV5 as an all-electric Kia Sportage that sits in Kia’s ginormous EV line-up alongside the EV3, EV4, EV6 and EV9.”
Author: Steve Fowler
Read review
Top Gear
Model reviewed: Range overview
Score: 7 / 10
“The Kia EV5 ticks all electric family SUV boxes. Just don’t expect any more than that.”
Author: Peter Rawlins
Read review
Safety rating
Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP
Overall score: 5 stars
Date tested: November 2025
Read the full Euro NCAP review
Adult protection: 83%
Child protection: 85%
Vulnerable road users: 74%
Safety assist: 80%
Eco rating
No eco rating
As of February 2026, the Kia EV5 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.
The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the EV5 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it takes place. Check back again soon.
Running cost rating
Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data
| Battery range | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 318 miles | A |
| Electrical efficiency | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| EV models | 3.6 m/KWh | D |
| Insurance group | Average | Score | Variation | Score |
| All models | 41 | D |
As of February 2026, we don’t have five-year servicing and maintenance costs for the Kia EV5.
Although it’s not the most efficient electric car, nor the cheapest to insure, it should still be cheaper to own and run than a similarly sized petrol or diesel car if you can do most of your charging at home or work. If you do most of your charging at public chargers, however, it won’t be as attractive.
Reliability rating
Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy
No reliability rating
The Kia EV5 is a brand-new model, so we won’t have any meaningful reliability data for years to come.
The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops.
As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the EV5, we’ll publish the results here.
Recalls
Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Kia EV5
The Kia EV5 has only just been launched in the UK, so no recalls have yet been issued for this model.
You can check whether your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Kia dealer.
Similar cars
If you’re looking at the Kia EV5, you might also be interested in these alternatives.
Audi Q4 e-tron | BMW iX3 | BYD Atto 3 | Changan Deepal S07 | Citroën ë-C5 Aircross | Cupra Tavascan | Ford Explorer | Geely EX5 | Hyundai Ioniq 5 | KGM Torres EVX | Leapmotor C10 | Lexus RZ | Mazda CX-6e | Mercedes-Benz GLC EQ | MG S6 EV | Mini Countryman Electric | Nissan Ariya | Omoda E5 | Peugeot e-3008 | Renault Scenic E-Tech | Skoda Enyaq | Subaru Solterra | Tesla Model Y | Toyota bZ4X | Vauxhall Grandland Electric | Volkswagen ID.4 | Xpeng G6
The medium electric SUV segment is growing rapidly, with a host of new models recently launched or coming soon to the UK. Almost every major car brand either has a shiny new model available or has one on its way.
More information
More news, reviews and information about Kia’s range of EVs at The Car Expert
Buy a Kia EV5
If you’re looking to buy a new or used Kia EV5, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find the right car.
Find your next used car with Motors. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Auto Trader. Find out more
Find your next new or used car with Carwow. Find out more
Lease a Kia EV5
If you’re looking to lease a new Kia EV5, The Car Expert’s partners can help you find a competitive deal.
Personal contract hire deals from Leasing.com. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Carwow. Find out more
Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more
Subscribe to a Kia EV5
Subscriptions are becoming a very popular way for consumers to try an electric car for a few weeks or months to help decide whether it’s a suitable alternative to a petrol car. If you’re interested in a car subscription, The Car Expert’s partners can help. (PS: What’s a car subscription?)
Car subscriptions from SelfDrive.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Cocoon.
Find out more
Car subscriptions from Just Vehicle Solutions.
Find out more
