720 km of Range for Kia EV5

With a wide range of powertrains and batteries, the new Kia EV5 aims to meet the specific needs of its customers.

Directly inspired by the recently launched Kia EV9 SUV, the EV5 offers a style and equipment philosophy shared with its big brother. The smaller EV3 is expected to follow this path to provide a complete lineup of easily recognizable SUVs, from the mini EV3 to the maxi EV9.

The Kia EV5 is based on Kia’s dedicated electric platform called E-GMP. The EV5 will be produced in China and South Korea, with three versions initially available on the Chinese market: standard, long-range 2WD, and long-range 4WD.

Custom Autonomies and Transmissions

The standard version, equipped with a 64 kWh battery pack and a 160 kW (220 hp) electric motor, is expected to have a range of 530 km with a single charge according to the CLTC (Combined Charging and Load Cycle) standard. The long-range 2WD version, with an 88 kWh battery and the same 160 kW electric motor, aims for a range of 720 km with a single charge. However, caution is advised: the CLTC standard used to estimate this range is much less strict than the WLTP standard widely adopted in Europe, which itself is less demanding than real-road testing. We will see in real-world tests if these 700 km or more claims are realistic. The long-range 4WD version features an 88 kWh battery pack combined with two electric motors—one at the front of 160 kW and another at the rear of 70 kW—providing a combined power of 230 kW (315 hp). For this all-wheel-drive version, Kia targets a range of 650 km according to the CLTC standard. This becomes very interesting because covering 600 km with a single charge in a 300-horsepower SUV is an exciting prospect. Additionally, this model offers ultra-fast charging, allowing the battery to go from 30% to 80% in just 27 minutes.

An advanced heat pump system, already praised on the EV6, has been integrated into the EV5 to manage its battery temperature, ensuring consistent performance regardless of external conditions. The e-model will also feature energy recovery braking and an i-Pedal that allows the driver to decelerate and accelerate using a single pedal.

Innovations and Ingenuity at Kia.

The Kia EV5 is equipped with V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) and V2G (Vehicle-to-Grid) functions. With V2L, the high-voltage battery can supply external electrical devices. Kia plans to deploy the V2G function, still in development, which will eventually allow surplus energy from the batteries to be transferred to the overall power grid.

A small but very appreciated feature is a thermal storage compartment built into the rear console. With a capacity of 4 liters, this compartment operates within a temperature range of 5 to 55 degrees Celsius and offers various functionalities, including heating food and cooling drinks. It can be used for multiple purposes, such as keeping breakfast warm between home and work, heating tea or coffee, or storing chilled beverages and water during summer outings. Families can enjoy camping by transforming the rear of their vehicle into a sleeping space thanks to the fold-flat second-row seats.

All of this indicates a well-thought-out vehicle, and a clear strategy from Kia that could quickly bear fruit.