Kia EV5 GT-Line: the electric family SUV that gets the basics right

Tested: Kia EV5 ‘GT-Line’ 81.4kWh FWD in Magma Red. Price from £42,645; EV5 range from £39,345 to £47,145.

The Kia EV5 arrives with a deceptively simple brief: take the space, driving position and easy familiarity that buyers like about a conventional family SUV, then wrap it in a fully electric package that feels modern without becoming awkward. In a market full of futuristic shapes and touchscreen-heavy cabins, that approach makes the EV5 feel refreshingly grounded. This is an electric car that seems to understand family life: school runs, supermarket car parks, wet coats, long motorway slogs and the occasional weekend away with far too much luggage.

The model tested here is the Kia EV5 ‘GT-Line’ 81.4kWh front-wheel drive, finished in Magma Red. It sits in the middle of the UK line-up, above the entry-level ‘Air’ and below the plusher ‘GT-Line S’. On paper that makes it the sweet spot, and on first acquaintance it feels like Kia has judged the positioning well. The ‘GT-Line’ gets the bolder body styling, 19-inch wheels, gloss black detailing, heated rear seats, powered front seats, wireless phone charging, a smart power tailgate and Vehicle-to-Load capability, yet it avoids some of the extra weight and cost of the flagship.

Visually, the EV5 fits neatly into Kia’s current electric family. There are clear hints of EV3 and EV9 in the squared-off stance, upright lighting and confident front end, but the EV5 is not simply a scaled version of either. It has the boxy, useful shape that tends to make SUVs work in the real world, with a high roofline, wide-opening doors and a rear end that suggests genuine load-carrying ability. In Magma Red it looks sharp without appearing shouty, and the ‘Star Map’ lighting helps give it a distinctive night-time signature.

The dimensions explain the impression of space. At 4,610mm long, 1,875mm wide and 1,675mm high, with a 2,750mm wheelbase, the EV5 is slightly larger than a Sportage and feels it inside. There is loads of room in the front, generous space in the rear and a very useful 566-litre boot, expanding to 1,650 litres with the rear seats folded. There is also a 44-litre front storage compartment for cables or smaller bags. The rear seats fold completely flat, which turns the EV5 from a school-run SUV into a credible load lugger.

The cabin is where the EV5 makes its strongest case. Kia has combined the usual electric-car screen count with proper usability. The dashboard uses a 12.3-inch driver display, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 5.3-inch climate display, but crucially it keeps useful physical controls for temperature and volume. That matters. Too many modern cars hide everyday functions behind menus; the EV5 lets you make quick adjustments without turning a simple task into a distraction.

The driving position deserves particular praise. It is one of the best and most comfortable seating positions I have experienced in a long time, possibly ever. The relationship between seat, wheel, pedals and screen feels immediately natural, and the broad view out gives the EV5 an easy confidence. It is the sort of cabin that reduces fatigue because you are not constantly adjusting yourself or adapting to the car. For a family SUV, that matters as much as headline performance.

There is also a massive amount of equipment. Even ‘Air’ models include LED lights, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, smart entry, navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, over-the-air updates and Kia Connect services. ‘GT-Line’ adds the kit most buyers will want, while ‘GT-Line S’ layers on luxuries such as a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, relaxation seats, a head-up display, Digital Key, fingerprint recognition, a Harman Kardon sound system, a blind-spot view monitor and a 360-degree surround view monitor.

On the road, the EV5 is smooth, quiet and easy to place once you are used to its size. Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor producing 214bhp and 295Nm of torque, fed by an 81.4kWh battery. Performance is sensible rather than dramatic: 0-62mph takes 8.4 seconds and the maximum speed is 102mph. That is enough for confident overtaking and relaxed motorway work, but the EV5 is not trying to be a sports SUV. Its strengths are refinement, comfort and calm progress.

The ‘Air’ model offers the longest official range at up to 329 miles, while ‘GT-Line’ and ‘GT-Line S’ versions are rated at up to 313 miles on the WLTP combined cycle. Charging from 10-to-80 per cent can be completed in as little as 30 minutes on a suitable DC fast charger, while an 11kW AC charge from 10-to-100 per cent takes around seven hours and 20 minutes. The EV5’s peak DC charging rate is 127kW, so it does not match the fastest 800-volt Kia models, but its figures are still practical for typical family use.

Around town, the EV5’s size is more noticeable. It is a big-feeling car in tight streets and multi-storey car parks, and while the visibility is good, you remain aware of its width. Under braking, its weight can also be felt. The response is secure rather than worrying, but there is no disguising the mass of a large electric SUV when you ask it to slow quickly. The regenerative braking modes help, and Kia’s i-Pedal system gives useful control, but the EV5 is happiest when driven smoothly.

That said, the overall driving experience suits the car’s role. The ride is settled, the cabin remains quiet and the controls are straightforward. Drive modes include Normal, Eco, Sport, MyDrive and Snow, but the EV5 never feels as if it needs constant tweaking. Leave it in Normal, use the regeneration paddles to taste and it becomes an easy, relaxing companion. The low-mounted battery helps stability, and while keen drivers may want more steering involvement, family buyers are more likely to appreciate the sense of composure.

Safety equipment is comprehensive. All EV5s include Smart Cruise Control 2.0 with stop-and-go, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0, Lane Following Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2.0, Safe Exit Warning, Rear Occupant Alert and Intelligent Speed Limit Assist. The EV5 has also achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating, with scores of 83 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 74 per cent for vulnerable road users and 80 per cent for safety assist.

Pricing starts at £39,345 for the ‘Air’ 81.4kWh 214bhp FWD, rises to £42,645 for the ‘GT-Line’ tested here and reaches £47,145 for the ‘GT-Line S’. Kia’s UK price guide also lists additional variants, including a ‘Storm’ model from £43,145, all-wheel-drive ‘GT-Line’ from £45,645, and AWD ‘GT-Line S’ from £50,145. Premium paint is £675, while a heat pump is available on ‘GT-Line S’ models for £900. Every EV5 is covered by Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, with the high-voltage battery covered for eight years/100,000 miles.

As a package, the EV5 is convincing because it focuses on what families will actually notice. It is spacious, comfortable, well equipped and easy to live with. The negatives are real: it feels heavy under braking and big in the city. Yet neither dominates the experience. What stays with you is the excellent driving position, the sensible cabin layout, the physical climate and volume controls, the huge equipment count and the sense that Kia has built an electric SUV around everyday usability rather than novelty. If you want drama, look elsewhere. If you want a practical electric family car that feels ready for real life, the EV5 makes a very strong case.