It was a value play executed to near perfection, undercutting Japanese rivals while throwing in a few extra toys to sweeten the deal. And for a while, it worked like a charm. Then came the Chinese, and they rewrote the playbook.

In this new world of electric SUVs that charge fast, look sharp, and cost less than your cousin’s COE, Kia now has to do more than just tick the right boxes. The EV5 is one such car that feels like Kia’s answer to the question: “What if we built a sensible SUV that doesn’t feel like an accountant specced it?”

It stands out, even without shouting

Where others rely on over-styled grilles and dramatic light shows, the Kia EV5 plays it cool. Its boxy, squared-off silhouette hints at its bigger sibling, the EV9, but it’s more compact and less shouty. Kia calls it the “Digital Tiger Face”, and it’s distinctive enough not to get lost in a sea of anonymous crossovers.

The Earth variant I drove sits right in the Goldilocks zone. It gets the larger 88.1kWh LFP battery, bigger wheels, and just enough bells and whistles to make you feel you’re getting something special.

A cabin that doesn’t try too hard

Slide into the cabin and you’ll realise Kia’s taken a page out of the “less is more” design manual. Unlike some rivals that bury every function behind 14 layers of touchscreens, the EV5 sticks to real buttons, dials, and knobs. Revolutionary, I know. Thank you, Kia.

There’s a 12.3-inch central display, another 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a climate display that’s slightly obscured by the steering wheel. But thankfully, physical toggles for temperature and fan speed are still present. Proof that you don’t have to sacrifice usability at the altar of minimalism.

The drive selector-mounted start/stop button is another clever touch. No fumbling, no hunting. Just tap, twist, and go.

You’ll also find thoughtful amenities like a panoramic roof, wireless charger, and a centre console cooler that chills or warms its contents, although you’re limited to either five degrees or a searing 55. The “jumpseat” is surprisingly handy too, with a small pocket to keep your smartphone in place while driving.

With a 2,750mm wheelbase and a flat floor, the rear cabin feels properly spacious. There’s no third-zone climate control, but B-pillar vents help circulate air where it matters. The cupholders could use a rethink; the door bins don’t accommodate wider bottles, and the ones below the dash are too shallow.

Fold the rear seats and the EV5 reveals its practical side: 1,714 litres of cargo space. Kia even engineered the parcel shelf to double as a picnic table, perfect for your weekend escape or an impromptu carpark charcuterie moment.

And with the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) function, you can plug in your gadgets and keep the ice cream frozen. Or brew a coffee while streaming Netflix in air-conditioned comfort. No tailpipe, no guilt.

Easygoing, efficient, and mostly predictable

On the road, the Kia EV5 Earth’s 100kW (134bhp) and 310Nm of torque won’t set your hair on fire. It takes 11.6 seconds to hit the century mark, but it gets there with a calm, linear surge.

The suspension strikes a fine balance between comfort and control. Despite its 2.1-tonne heft, it never feels lumpy or wallowy. Braking is drama-free, and the body stays poised through corners. Steering is light but accurate, and you never get the sense that you’re piloting a runaway fridge.

Where it could use a bit more polish is in regenerative braking. Level 3 regen is fine, but the i-PEDAL mode (Kia’s version of one-pedal driving) felt a tad unrefined, with inconsistent braking that left me feathering the accelerator more than I’d like.

Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 is present and accounted for, but it lacks the slickness of rival systems. It works, eventually. Just don’t expect to impress anyone while you stand there holding the button like a magician mid-spell.

So, should you buy one?

There’s a lot to like about the Kia EV5 Earth. It’s a thoughtfully designed, well-rounded family SUV that does the day-to-day stuff without fuss. Its unique style, smart packaging, and Singaporean roots give it character in a space where many rivals blur together.

In a market obsessed with value, the EV5 reminds us that refinement matters too. It might not shout, but it certainly speaks volumes.

Technical Specifications

Kia EV5

Engine: Single Electric Motor
Powertrain: Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 100 kW (134 bhp)
Torque: 310 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A) Reduction Gear
0-100km/h: 11.6 Seconds
Top Speed: 185 km/h
Battery Capacity: 88.1 kWh
Drive Range: 540 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 18.5 kWh/100km (claimed)

Price: S$192,000 (Air), S$208,600 (Earth), both with COE (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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It’s Singapore’s first locally assembled Kia, and it joins the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 on the pedestal of locally-made automobiles.

Design-wise, Kia’s been flexing its “Opposites United” philosophy, and the EV5 wears it well. The front fascia is adorned with Kia’ Digital Tiger Face. Clean, chiselled lines stretch out into Star Map LEDs that make the car look like it’s plotting a course for the future.

Beyond the bold exterior, the EV5’s secret weapon is its cabin. Step inside and you’re greeted by tons of space, courtesy of the 2,750mm wheelbase and a lofty 1,715mm height, giving everyone room to breathe.

The Panoramic Wide Display fuses three screens into one seamless interface, giving the dash a tech-forward elegance. And if you’re lucky enough to snag the Earth or GT-Line variants, you’ll get Kia’s Relaxation Seat, complete with massage function, lumbar support, and a leg rest.

With the rear seats down, you’re looking at 1,714 litres of cargo capacity. With all seats up, it’s 513 litres, plus a 67-litre frunk. Plus, the EV5 is peppered with thoughtful touches: a Smart Power Tailgate that opens hands-free, a heated-and-cooled storage drawer for drinks, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) tech that lets you power a laptop, a rice cooker, or even a karaoke machine.

Three variants cater to different drivers, from the pragmatic to the performance-hungry:

• Air: With 100kW and 310Nm of torque, it’s the starter pack. It gives you 400km of WLTP range and charges from 10% to 80% in just 36 minutes.
• Earth: The range king, with a larger 88.1kWh battery offering 540km on a single charge.
• GT-Line: All-wheel-drive, dual-motor, 230kW, 480Nm, and a 0–100km/h dash in 6.3 seconds.

Of course, being a Kia, it comes armed to the teeth with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Avoidance is all there, quietly working in the background so you can enjoy the drive without second-guessing every lane change or parking manoeuvre.

Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 is also included. With this, you can step out and let your car park itself, the party trick that’ll impress neighbours and confuse nosy cats in HDB carparks alike.

“This launch represents an extraordinary moment for both Kia and Singapore,” said Wilfrid Foo, Managing Director of Cycle & Carriage Singapore. “The EV5 delivers on every front, a product tailor-made for our country, in our country.”

With prices starting at S$194,000 (with COE) for the Air variant, S$210,600 for the Earth, and S$260,000 for the range-topping GT-Line, the Kia EV5 is competitively priced against its rivals.

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