Kia’s EV5 review: The family electric SUV is here to conquer the UK market

The Battle of Hastings proved a decisive moment in British history – after which this island nation would never be the same.

That cross-Channel invasion of 1066 saw William the Conqueror and his Norman forces arrive on our shores in their fearsome Viking-style longships to defeat the last Anglo-Saxon ruler, King Harold, for the throne of England.

Nearly 1,000 years later, I am driving from the site of that historic clash in the present day town of Battle near Hastings in Sussex, to test the sprightly new family five-seater Kia EV5 electric SUV.

In its own modest way, the Korean car giant Kia played a decisive role in shaping the automotive history of Britain.

It is one manufacturer from a trio of Far Eastern nations whose vehicles have changed our perceptions and buying patterns – following in the wake of Japan from the 1960s and ahead of the current tsunami from China.

Tentatively arriving in the UK in 1991 with its Pride super-mini, Kia has evolved from being a purveyor of affordable, practical cars with bland styling to become a highly sought-after, expanding brand whose desirable vehicles exude modern style, impressively comfortable and contemporary interiors, hi-tech kit – but now with upmarket prices to match.

Such is the case with the spacious new EV5 mid-sized SUV, available in three generously stocked trim levels: Air (from £39,346), GT-Line (£42,645) and range-topping GT-Line S (from £47,145), which I drove.

Much of the EV5 hi-spec kit has trickled down from the vastly bigger and more expensive EV9 SUV (from £66,035). Riding on 19 in alloy wheels (18 in for Air) and powered by an 81.4kWh battery, the chunky new EV5 is propelled by a feisty 214bhp electric motor, moves from rest to 62mph in a pacey 8.4 seconds up to a top speed limited at 102mph, and has a claimed range of up to 329 miles (313 miles on my car). Roughly the size of a Kia Sportage, the EV5 is engaging to drive, swift on the straight and a sport mode gives a sense of security on tight bends. It has good manners around town, though – even in sedate 20mph zones.

You can choose and control levels of ‘one-pedal’ driving via paddles on the steering wheel, which increase or decrease the amount of regenerative braking and can bring you to a smooth halt without touching the brakes.

The smart dashboard mixes physical buttons, touch commands and a 30 in screen, plus a useful head-up display.

Massage chairs on my car were a welcome surprise, helping me both relax and stay alert. Add to that a sliding panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and a big boot.   

The new EV5 comes as standard with a dominant dashboard screen spanning almost 30 inches and incorporating a 12.3-inch driver display element, 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation and a 5.3-inch climate control section.

The practical boot offers a generous 566 litres of space expanding with rear seats down to 1,650 litres plus another 44 litres of extra space in the font-trunk of ‘frunk’.

And it has achieved a top five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests.

• Added highlights on my top-spec GT-Line S trim car included: a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof; privacy glass; useful head-up display; smart power tailgate; relaxation and massage front seats; premium Harmon Kardon sound system; a handy 3-Pin socket to power camping kit or domestic appliances during a power cut, and a fingerprint recognition security system.
• The mid-range GT-Line trim is expected to be the most popular choice and includes: wireless phone charging; smart power tailgate; wrap around and controllable ambient lighting; electric driver’s seat adjustment with memory function and lumbar support; outer rear heated seats; two-tone artificial leather upholstery; and LED headlights with adaptive beam. 
• Even the entry-level Air (with 18-inch wheels) comes with heated front seats and steering wheel, rear privacy glass, blind-spot collision-avoidance and other driving aids. 

A 350kW DC fast-charger can boost the car to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes, a 50kW DC in just over an hour, with an 11kW AC domestic charger taking…