Kia EV5 (2025 onwards) | Expert Rating

Summary

The Kia EV5 is a mid-size electric SUV that is set to arrive in the UK in the second half of 2025. As the name suggests, it’s larger than the Kia EV3 small SUV but smaller than the Kia EV9 large SUV, and follows a similar style to both of those vehicles.

Already on sale in China and other Asia-Pacific regions – albeit with some significant differences to the European version – the EV5 adds yet another model to Kia’s ever-growing EV line-up.

The EV5 will be one of two new Kia electric vehicles launching in 2025, along with the EV4 hatch and saloon. First customer cars are expected to be delivered in September, but The Car Expert was invited to an exclusive preview of the European-spec EV5 in July.

The Kia EV5 is built on the same platform as the smaller EV3, and bears a strong family resemblance to its smaller sibling (as well as the larger EV9) both inside and out. Most notably, there’s a lot more room in the back seats and boot in the larger EV5 than in the EV3. Overall exterior dimensions are very similar to the Kia Sportage, the company’s petrol and hybrid offering in the family SUV segment, but the EV5 will offer more rear passenger space.

As with Kia’s other EV models, there will be three trim levels available at launch: Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. A higher-performance GT model is likely in 2026 but no further information is available at this time.

The interior will feature Kia’s familiar triple-screen layout at the top of the dashboard, with two 12-inch screens and a smaller five-inch screen mounted in a row to give the impression of one continuous screen stretching from in front of the driver across to the middle of the cabin. The smaller screen in the middle houses the controls for the climate control system. There’s also a head-up display in front of the driver.

Being a dedicated EV, the rear cabin has plenty of room and a completely flat floor, while the rear seats can fold down to provide a completely flat floor from the back of the front seats to the tailgate. There is a ‘frunk’ (front trunk) providing storage space under the bonnet, which is notably larger than the one in the EV3.

Battery size is the same as the EV3, an 81kWh unit that is likely to offer about 330 miles of range in official EU/UK lab tests. Final figures are yet to be confirmed and will be announced closer to the UK launch, once UK specifications are finalised. All models will be front-wheel drive when the car launches, although an all-wheel drive GT version is on the horizon for 2026 or later.

Pricing has not yet been announced, but it’s likely to start at just under £40K in line with similar mid-sized electric SUVs from other brands.

Keep checking back in coming weeks as we continue to build this page with more information about the Kia EV5.

More Kia Expert Ratings, new car reviews, news and features

Key specifications

Body style: Mid-sized SUV
Engines: electric, front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive
Price: TBA

UK launch: Autumn 2025

Image gallery

Media reviews

The first media reviews of the Kia EV5 are likely to appear in the autumn of 2025. Keep checking back for the latest updates.

Safety rating

Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

No safety rating

As of July 2025, the Kia EV5 has not been assessed by Euro NCAP.

The version of the car already on sale in Asia and Australasia was tested by ANCAP (Australasian NCAP) in late 2024 and scored a five-star rating. However, this vehicle is not identical to the version that will be sold in Europe (the structure is the same but the batteries are different, as is the front seat layout), so it doesn’t guarantee that the Euro NCAP result will be the same.

As soon as Euro NCAP puts the European-spec EV5 through its testing programme, we’ll publish the results here.

Eco rating

No eco rating

As of July 2025, 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

No data yet

As of July 2025, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Kia EV5. Check back again closer to the vehicle’s UK launch.

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 not yet been launched in the UK, so no recalls have yet been issued for this model.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Kia dealer.

Everything you need to know about UK vehicle recalls

Similar cars

If you’re looking at the Kia EV5, you might also be interested in these alternatives.

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.