"It's very Kia, isn't it?" a motoring writer colleague commented at the recent Irish launch of the Kia EV5, writes Brian Byrne. Of course it is, and being 'very Kia' at the moment is very good for the brand and its customers. Kia's push to provide a full range of electric vehicles has helped the Irish distributor for the first time top 10,000 cars of all powertrains sold in a year. Kia is now ranked fifth overall in Ireland and is the second-biggest EV brand. In 2025, it sold more electric vehicles here than any other powertrain.
The EV5 has arrived only weeks after the EV4 hatchback-coupe and bookends the year with the EV3 small SUV, launched at the beginning of 2025. The EV3 won the World Car of the Year 2025 accolade and is now Ireland's third-most-popular electric car from a standing start. No wonder Kia Ireland execs were all smiles as they showcased their latest.
The EV5 fills the gap in the C-SUV EV segment and offers an electric option to what has been and remains the brand's best-selling car here, the Sportage. The company emphasises that the new vehicle is not an electric Sportage, but a standalone model—the EV5 is slightly larger across all key dimensions than its combustion-engined sibling.
All Kia models have become much more dramatic in appearance over the last few years, and the EV5 follows that trend while making its own statement. Some muscular sculpting of the bonnet, distinctive front and rear lighting signatures, an integrated spoiler that also houses the hidden rear wiper, and garnishes along the sides and around the wheel arches all combine to convey a sense of strength and purpose.
That's also the feeling from inside, which follows the now-familiar Kia integrated wide display unit housing driving information, climate status and infotainment. Temperature, fan speed, and radio volumes are all manual switches. The lines and shapes across the entire dashboard area are styled in a very modern way, with each detail serving a practical or visual coherence purpose. There's nothing unnecessary in the overall design, including extensive, well-thought-out storage space for front occupants.
The rear passengers have their own centre console with a drawer and climate controls. Seats for all occupants seem as comfortable as they look during the relatively short introductory drive. Heated seats front and rear are standard. A long wheelbase offers generous legroom, while the 566L boot is second only to Skoda's Enyaq in the class. Lowering the back seats provides a two-metre-long, absolutely flat floor.
A word about connectivity technology: Kia has its own app, which, among other features, enables digital key entry via your smartphone and remote digital key sharing. A fingerprint authentication system helps prevent unauthorised access to the car. An entertainment package is available, including Netflix and YouTube—obviously not for front-seat use while in motion.
There are three grades available, all of which share the same long-range 81.4kWh battery; the most basic model offers a rated range of 530km, while the top GT-line model rates at 505km. The motor delivers up to 215hp and allows the 2-tonne car to reach 100km/h in 8.4 seconds—that's reasonable acceleration rather than the extreme, tyre-wearing figures some makers push.
It's hard to say much new about the smooth, quiet drive of EVs in this segment, other than that they are as we now expect. Kia has a solid grasp of all of this, and I expect the EV5 will make a significant impact on the brand's overall 2026 performance. Given the pre-launch interest in the car, they are already negotiating additional supply so that, by this time next year, they can be smiling as they are now.
PRICE: From €47,625-€54,000. WHAT I LIKED: The way Kia is going.
