Kia may be suffering from a model naming issue, albeit achieving considerable success with its electric vehicle range, writes Brian Byrne. While EV6 and EV9 were manageable at the start of the 'EV' moniker, there are now so many that it's confusing — EV3, EV4, EV5, and an EV2 upcoming. Add to that the way the company marks specification grades in 'K' designations, K1-K4, the soon-arriving combustion engine car, model name K4, is going to add to the perplexity. Just saying.
None of which takes away from the quality of the Korean brand's cars, which helped the Irish distributor to achieve over 10,000 sales in 2025 across its range. My latest review model was the EV5, a mid-size SUV close enough in size to the latest generation of the Sportage to be its electric equivalent. Though the EV is slightly larger in every dimension. Against competitor brands, it sits in size between Nissan's Ariya and Opel's Grandland.
The EV5 follows the boxy style of the much larger EV9, and the smaller EV3 debuted in Ireland this time last year, a theme which gives the latest car a similar strong presence even when parked. The front is marked by an even more distinctive lighting signature than the highly individualistic ones which the brand has been developing in previous models. The profile view features brawny sculpting and pronounced wheel arch curves, while the rear has a deep overhang spoiler element, which the company says helps to keep the rear screen from getting dirty. Kia and Hyundai cars in recent years have ditched the rear wiper, depending on this feature. The customer jury is divided on its effectiveness, but the Kia designers say it helps with aerodynamics, key to extending the range of an electric car.
There are no design surprises inside for anyone who has driven Kia EVs; strong style elements in the dashboard and trims, the very wide screen integrating the three elements of driver information, climate, and infotainment. On all three, the graphics and info are clear, as they also are on the steering wheel controls. Temperature and radio volume use real switchgear, and the buttons for the seat heating and ventilation are on the doors. While setting up the preferred driver assistance features can be shortcut-accessed by linking them to a * button on the steering wheel, it still takes five taps on the screen to deal with them every time you start up. Note to all carmakers: the Dacia single-button system is the one to emulate here.
The seats are similar to what we've seen in other Kia EV models, nicely bolstered and finished in a leather-type material that's easy to keep clean, and both front and rear are heated. With an extended wheelbase, there's plenty of room for the three rear passengers, though the centre one could feel it as too cosy, depending on fellow travellers' bulk. 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.
Kia's own app can enable digital key entry via smartphone, and also allows remote digital key sharing. A fingerprint authentication system helps prevent unauthorised access to the car. An entertainment package can include Netflix and YouTube—obviously not for front-seat use.
Three grades share the same 81.4kWh battery, with a rated range of 505-530km, the lower figure for the top-spec and presumably heavier GT-line model. The motor delivers up to 215hp and allows the 2-tonne car to reach 100km/h in 8.4 seconds, a reasonable acceleration that should be enough for anyone. The 16.4kWh/100km I got on a typical morning 50km commute was notably efficient.
The drive is smooth and quiet, as we expect from EVs of any decent quality. Last year, the EV3 led Kia Ireland to its own record car sales. This year, because of interest, they've already had to negotiate further EV5 supply. A good space for a car company to be smiling in.
PRICE: From €47,625-€54,000. WHAT I LIKED: The current Kia way.
