Video: Kia EV5 range confirmed – single huge battery offered

The specification for Kia’s upcoming EV5 all-electric SUV range has been confirmed, and the headline figure has to be the size of the battery.

Just one option will be offered – an 88.1kWh LFP units supplied by BYD’s FinDreams subsidary. Some had predicated Kia could opt for a 64 or 71kWh entry level option, but the larger battery sets the model apart from its competition, giving a WLTP range of between 500 and 540km.

The price gives the model a price-per-kWh ratio of $772, against $938 for the KGM Torres EVX, $1060 for the Tesla Model 3, $992 for the BYD Atto 3, and $787 for the Omoda E5. It even beats the clearance-priced Volkswagen ID4 at $779.

Kia has not officially announced the specifications to media or on its website, but a full specifications brochure is given to attendees of the models promotional tour. We went and checked the car out at West City Kia in Auckland’s Henderson.

The line-up begins with the Light 2WD long-range (160kW/310Nm) at $67,990 plus on-road costs.

It offers the 88.1kWh battery, a DC charging rate of up to 141kW, and a WLTP range of 540km.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloys, LED headlamps, DRL and rear taillights, manual flush door handle, smart cruise control, smart key, interior start/stop button, cloth seat trim with manual adjustment, highway driving assist 2, a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors, 12.3″ sat nav with 12.3″ instrument cluster, 5″ HVAC display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Kia Connect, OTA software updates, six-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control and ECM interior mirror.

The Light + 2WD long-range costs $70,450 plus on-road charges. It mirrors the specifications of the entry-level Light 2WD but adds a blind spot view monitor,
360-view camera, parking collision assist, remote smart park assist, front/side/rear parking sensors, electric folding exterior mirrors, cloth/leather upholstery and power adjustable driver’s seat.

The Earth long-range 2WD (540km WLTP) retails from $75,450 plus on-road costs, and the Earth long-range AWD (500km WLTP) retails from $80.450 plus on-road costs.

The Earth AWD has a dual motor layout offering power and torque of 230kW and 480Nm.

In addition to the Light+ 2WD, both Earth models are supplied with 19″ alloy wheels, privacy glass, Gloss Black roof rails, auto flush door handles, power child safety door lock, safe exit assist, smart power tailgate, artificial leather seats, heated front seats, full-colour heads-up display, wireless charger, V2L function and heat pump.

The halo model is the EV5 GT-LINE long-range AWD (500km WLTP), retailing from $85,450 plus on-road costs.

In addition to the Earth AWD, it is equipped with 20″ alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, sequential front and rear turn signals, power front passenger seats, driver’s memory seat function with ventilation, massage seat function, eight-speaker Harman/Kardon audio, fingerprint recognition, ambient mood lighting, alloy pedals, front and rear auto up/down and safety windows, and a console box with a cooling and warming function.