The Singapore-assembled KIA EV5 is a well-equipped electric SUV for the active family, who would need everything in a car… and then a little more
Singapore – The new KIA EV5 is the South Korean automaker’s first KIA to be built here on our sunny island, set in the sea. We all know that KIA’s traditional value proposition toward its buyers, would be to offer a bang-for-buck car; and with their higher-spec ones outdoing its rivals in-terms of kit.
Perhaps in the last three years, KIA’s proven formula of adding value to their cars has been overshadowed by the many Chinese brands which have arrived on our shores. But even with the influx of similar size Chinese EVs, we think that KIA has gotten plenty right with the EV5.
A predictable brand going a little left field makes for interesting results
The KIA EV5 is the smaller sibling of the three-row KIA EV9. If you find the styling appealing to the closet Cubist in you, then you are on the right track. It is quite a stylish car, but it is the kind of “pretty” that grows on you.
Perhaps, my favourite part of the car, would be the consistent shutline of the front door against the hood and fender – which could get glaringly mis-aligned if not put-together right. The other car that has these three bits similarly constructed, would be the equally clean Polestar 2.
There is space. Arrange it to how you like it
KIA has kept the EV5’s interior clean, simple and quite unpretentious. You can feel them channeling some of their pride here, as material quality is notches higher from cars they produced just ten years ago.
A wide panel, housing a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display takes centrestage on the dash. I like that instead of burying just about every function into the infotainment screen (which has become the modus operandi of just about every Chinese car out there), KIA retained physical buttons and switches for the air-conditioning. They also have included another panel with touch-sensitive buttons… However, I do find the reaction time for these somewhat sluggish, and their sensitivity can feel off at times.
KIA has also prioritised passenger comfort and functionality throughout. Front occupants enjoy seat ventilation, while the driver’s seat is equipped with massage, four-way lumbar support and also a leg rest. Uniquely though, the front passenger seat extends over to the driver’s seat to create a shared space, and has a pocket to stow your mobile phone.
Thanks to its 2,750mm wheelbase, and a relatively straight roofline, passengers at the rear have plenty to stretch out to. Adding to the list of features, there is a cooler box within the centre console, which slides open rearward, providing cooling for up to 5 degrees, or heating to 55 degrees.
Designers have definitely put plenty of thought into how the EV5’s rear utility space is set-up. The 523 litre boot is equipped with movable cargo hooks, additional cubby holes for organising smaller items, underfloor storage and even a British-spec 3-pin AC point for you to draw power out of. The boot board can also be slid upward to create a table, just for those days when you may want to drop by at East Coast Park carpark for an impromptu picnic… It really seems that KIA is clawing into Škoda’s versatility game.
A fuss free drive, but defo not a driver’s car
The Kia EV5 Earth’s front motor puts out 132hp (100kW) and 310Nm, which gets it to 100km/h in 11.6 seconds. It may not sound like much, but for the short game of going light-to-light, it gets to city speeds fairly well.
Due to the EV5 being an FWD car, cornering on the wet can get slightly too understeery for my liking, and giving it the beans in the dry would prompt the front wheels to chirp a little. But overall, the EV5 drives with enough confidence and comfort to get you through your day.
There are three levels of regenerative braking, and i-PEDAL mode, the latter which is their one-pedal driving mode. For most cases when driving an EV, I like turning the regenerative braking as low as I can or even off wherever possible, as I like to glide my cars. As for the EV5, I largely drove it in its lowest setting, which gradually slowed the car down, but gave me enough play to keep the car rolling for quite a distance. Once on its one-pedal drive mode, I found the system somewhat uncertain, once my foot was off the accelerator.
A little less go, but plenty of everything else still makes for a good ship
The KIA EV5 has plenty going for it. Heavy on versatility, and with a good amount of creature spoils thrown in, we think that it has got plenty going for it, even when put against today’s Chinese EV space.
Text & Photos: Clifford Chow
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Heavy on creature spoils | Could drive better if it were RWD |
| Versatile boot | Regenerative braking could be more refined |
| Quirky looks |
KIA EV5 Earth 88.1kWh
| Drivetrain | Full Electric |
| Layout | Single Motor, Front-wheel Drive |
| Motor power / torque | 132hp / 310Nm |
| Battery capacity | 88.1kWh |
| Efficiency | 18.5kWh/100km |
| Electric Range | 540km |
| 0-100km/h | 11.6 seconds |
| Top Speed | 185km/h |
| VES Band | A1 |
| Dealer | Cycle & Carriage KIA |
| Price | S$230,600 with COE and VES |
| Verdict | There is plenty of good here, especially if you prioritise utility and creature spoils. |
