K-Pop battle
If a Kia EV9 is too big for your electric-vehicle needs and the EV6 is too rich for your budget, then Kia has a new all-electric SUV that might be a better fit for your garage and wallet.
The Kia EV5 is the smallest and latest electric SUV from the busy Korean car maker, although it won’t hold that title for long with the more compact and affordable EV3 due in April. Designed as a direct rival for the market-leading Tesla Model Y, the mid-sized EV5 is the first Kia sold here that’s sourced from the company’s Chinese factory, in a move designed to get the car to market sooner by avoiding competition from European markets for Korean-built versions.
The four-variant EV5 range encompasses two front-wheel- drive variants differentiated by standard and long-range batteries, and two dual-motor, all-wheel drive variants in different trim levels.
Prices range from $56,770 (RRP) for the entrylevel EV5 Air 2WD Standard Range, rising to $71,770 (RRP) for the top-spec EV5 GT-Line AWD. We like the performance and grip of the mid-grade EV5 Earth AWD, which matches the 230kW/480Nm outputs and all-wheel-drive traction of the top-grade model but sacrifices a few niceties for its sharper $64,770 (RRP) price tag.
Both AWD models and the EV5 Air 2WD Long Range feature a larger 88.1 kWh battery versus the 64.2 kWh unit of the entry-level model, with the EV5 Earth AWD managing a competitive 500km (WLTP) on a single charge.
With its distinctive, angular styling and roomy, contemporary interior design, the Toyota RAV4-sized EV5 could be just the weapon Kia needs to take the fight to Tesla.
For more, visit the Kia website.