The EV market in New Zealand has faced headwinds in 2024. With sales softening and stock piling up, some manufacturers have delayed or scaled back launches.
Kia, however, has leaned into the lull. It launched the EV5, its first Chinese-built electric vehicle and expected to be one of its most popular models, in July, then swiftly parked it, delaying official sales plans for an indeterminate amount of time.
It was an understandable move. In recent months, a bloodbath of electric vehicle clearance pricing has taken place, with brands overstocked after the shuttered Clean Car Discount or in need of Clean Car Standard credits, cutting prices by as much as 50 per cent.
It’s not a market you want to do business in. It has yet to come to an end but the yards get closer to clear every month. Kia seems ready to stick its head above the parapet.
It has quite the weapon to go to war with. Our test vehicle, the Kia EV5 Light+, is the mid-range variant of the line-up, starting at $70,450 plus on-road costs.
It’s equipped with a robust 88.1kWh LFP battery (made by BYD’s FinDreams subsidiary), providing a WLTP range of 555km. The entry-level model’s price-per-kWh is an impressive $772.
The range starts at $67,990 for the EV5 Light, then moves to the Light+, Earth 2WD ($75,490), Earth AWD ($80,450), and GT-Line AWD ($85,490).
By opting for the Light+, there is little to indicate you have not purchased the top-specification EV5. You’ll find 18-inch alloy wheels (tri-spokes for that ‘90s vibe), LED headlights, and a squared-yet-sleek design.
The flush door handles work okay; this writer is not a fan of them in general, but these are not the worst execution. The frost blue colour on the test car, which has a solid look to it, is particularly fetching.
It shares many similarities with the Kia EV9, one of our favourite electric vehicles of the past year, from a design perspective with squared-off corners, a tall glasshouse and macho cladding.
While clearly an SUV, its styling, both inside and out, gives it a slight crossover wagon look, and that is no bad thing. And yes, there is a frunk under the bonnet, totalling 67 litres.
Opening the boot is a little disappointing for a $70,000 mid-size SUV; not for capacity, which is impressive at 513 litres with the seats up or 1713 litres with the seats down (still well short of the freakish Model Y), but in that you need to go up the range to get an electric tailgate.
In the cabin, that tall glasshouse and a lack of factory tinting on the Earth+ makes for a light, airy, and spacious feel.
The EV9 design carries over with a very similar dashboard arrangement, including a 29.6-inch display, though in essence, it is three: two 12.3-inch units, one for the driver display, the other for the infotainment system, and a dedicated screen for climate control set between them.
The latter is a nice compromise for those upset with an increasing number of EVs hiding their climate system in the infotainment screen, though I found it a little obscured by the steering wheel.
The system is tied to Kia’s new ‘Connect’ app, which allows remote unlocking, monitoring, charge scheduling, and pre-conditioning.
The steering wheel is wrapped in faux leather and features satisfyingly chunky buttons and toggles.
Its seats are broad and comfortable, with power adjustment (including lumbar) for the driver. In a win for the Earth models, the upholstery is a mix of appealing cloth woven from recycled bottles and synthetic leather.
It looks great and appeals to me more than the synthetic leather on the next step up.
The infotainment system is clean and works very well, with the standard navigation including charging locations. There are even haptic shortcut buttons below the screen.
It includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though at this grade and below, its usefulness is muted by the lack of a wireless charger.
There is a tray for holding your phone and other odds and ends, and further storage closer to the floor. A storage box under the centre console is accessible from the rear seat and is heated and cooled in the top model.
In a twist of retro weirdness (that we love), the front seat looks like a bench seat, with an extension of the passenger seat extending over the centre console and a folding armrest creating what could be a backrest.
Of course, it isn’t, for there is no middle seatbelt. It is a cool twist, though, and a pocket on its surface is handy for mobile phones and other loose items.
The rear seat is a spacious effort, particularly in width, with plenty of legroom and head height. There are air vents on either side of the cabin in the B-pillars, while the armrest provides two cupholders.
They aren’t heated (neither are the front pews), but you do get USB-C charging in the back of the front seats.
Having that massive LFP battery comes with its range advantages but also a drawback: weight. At this grade, the EV5 weighs in at 2054kg, or around 150kg heavier than a standard-range Model Y and around 70kg more than the long-range Tesla.
Opt for the top-of-the-line all-wheel drive version, and you are looking at a 2229kg total. This is a hefty car, and you can feel it, with somewhat muted performance in the single-motor versions.
While it feels refined and sure-footed, you do feel the weight turning into corners and on undulations.
What do we mean by muted? The 160kW and 310Nm front motor is good for an 8.9-second 0-100km/h time.
You get drive modes selected through a steering wheel-mounted button and paddles for regeneration, including Kia’s smart regeneration option.
Kia has ensured the EV5 Light+ doesn’t skimp on safety and driver assistance features. The adaptive cruise control with stop-start functionality is smooth and intuitive, while lane-keeping assist and lane-following technology provide confidence on longer drives.
The driver attention monitoring system is less intrusive than in some of Kia’s other models, offering helpful prompts without becoming a nuisance.
The comprehensive suite of acronyms includes AEB (autonomous emergency braking), BSM (blind-spot monitoring), and RCTA (rear cross-traffic alert), amongst others.
The Kia EV5 Light+ is a compelling option in the EV market. It’s not just another electric SUV; it’s a carefully considered package that prioritises range, practicality, and technology without veering into excess.
In a segment where compromises are often the norm, the EV5 stands out by offering genuine value for money.
That is, until you consider what else you can buy out there at the moment on discount.
It is a hard sell pitching the Light+ against some competitors when it is missing some key comfort features. However, few can match that absolutely huge battery and considerable range.
| Model | Kia EV5 Light+ |
| Price | $70,450 |
| Motor | 160kW, 310Nm |
| Battery | 88.1kWh (LFP) |
| Range | 555km |
| Drivetrain | Single-speed auto, FWD |
| Energy Use | 18.0kWh/100km |
| C02 Output | 0g/km |
| 0-100km/h | 8.9sec |
| Wheelbase | 2750mm |
| Tyre size | 225/60R18 |
| Stability systems | ABS, ESP, TV |
| Safety | AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB |
| Luggage capacity | f-67 r-513-1713L |
| Tow rating | 750kg (1250kg braked) |
| L/W/H | 4615 / 1875 / 1715mm |
| Warranty | 5yrs, 150,000km |
| ANCAP rating | Not yet rated |
| Weight | 2054kg (claimed) |
This article first appeared in the December/January 2025 issue of NZ Autocar magazine.
