Kia EV5 – a car straight out of Minecraft that captured my interest [test]

The Kia EV5 is the fourth electric vehicle from this Korean manufacturer that I’ve had the chance to drive. To start, I’d say this model seems to fit my preferences best, both in terms of driving comfort and size.

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Kia EV5 – vehicle specifications

Trim level: GT Line

Dimensions: 4610 x 1610 x 1680 mm

Weight: 1994 kg

Battery capacity: 81.4 kWh

Battery type: lithium-ion

Maximum DC charging power: 150 kW

Charging time from 10% to 80%: 30 minutes

Top speed: 165 km/h

WLTP energy consumption: 17.8 kWh/100 km

Base price: 235,490 PLN

The Minecraft cube – Kia EV5

Seeing this car, one might have two associations depending on your age and experience: either a tank or a Minecraft cube. I lean toward the tank category, but my son immediately thought of the second option. Well, that could be an advantage of this car, but it’s also a drawback—significant air resistance.

I got to test the GT Line version in a beautiful matte color that instantly won over my wife and me. The front is truly massive, making it clear we’re dealing with a powerful vehicle. From the back, it’s hard to determine definitively whether it’s an SUV or a van. In short, it’s a large electric car. I can’t wait to test the EV9, which is even bigger.

Under the hood we have a frunk that’s already suitable for storing items like charging cables, and the trunk is excellent for those who need more space. But we’ll talk about that in a moment.

Interior perfect for families (or those who prioritize comfort)

As one might expect, since it’s a giant on the outside, the interior certainly isn’t cramped. With the seats folded down and I being 185 cm tall, sitting in the back doesn’t cause any issue at all with lack of legroom. As for children in car seats, it’s practically a paradise for them.

Under the central tunnel at the back, the manufacturer has included a pull-out compartment, though it could just as easily be a mini-fridge, as Chinese manufacturers often do, where you can store snacks for the road. Long trips shouldn’t cause any discomfort during driving.

The front end of the Kia EV5 is in a completely different class. The GT Line version has been finely tuned by the manufacturer, both in terms of vehicle features and driving comfort. The seats are truly comfortable and can be heated as well as cooled. The central tunnel is spacious, and there’s plenty of storage space, though I must admit I’m not sure how I could fit a bottle of anything in the designated area in the driver’s or passenger door. Unless it’s a 300 ml bottle, that is.

The front console of the EV5 isn’t much different from what Kia offers in all its models on the market. The display is divided into 3 zones: driving information in front of the steering wheel, details about climate control and vents beside it, and the entire infotainment system on the right, which works very smoothly and efficiently. Another big advantage is the head-up display in front of the driver.

When comparing this car functionally to what the Tesla Model Y offers—essentially a competitor in a similar price range—Kia provides more features without the need to purchase additional subscriptions. Here are a few of the features:

automatic lane change on highways,

automatic parking and parking assistant,

automatic entry and exit from parking spaces, just by pressing the key,

head-up display.

You can easily pack for a family trip in the Kia EV5

As is typical for a family vehicle, I was immediately curious to know if the family would pack up and go on a longer trip somewhere. I’ll answer you right away: yes, no problem at all. The trunk is really spacious, even with the rear seats folded down. And if space runs out, the floor can always be removed, giving us an extra 30 cm for packing. A few suitcases, bags, and a stroller—no problem at all for this trunk.

Of course, let’s not forget that, as is common with electric vehicles, there’s no protrusion for the exhaust at the back, so a bag can also be placed on the flat floor between the passengers. Still, it’s worth considering not to block the built-in storage compartment.

Energy Consumption and Charging

The Kia EV5 generates air resistance due to its size and design. This is a fact that’s pointless to argue about. For this reason, the manufacturer equipped this vehicle with a sizable battery holding 81.4 kWh, allowing it to cover quite long distances without worrying about charging. It’s only then you can stop by a charger when it’s time to stretch your legs.

On the highway at around 120 km/h, my average energy consumption was about 24 kWh/100 km, while on the motorway at 140 km/h it was around 28 kWh/100 km. This means you can travel 250-300 kilometers on highways between charges by driving at the maximum allowed speed. In other words, it takes just 2-2.5 hours of driving to take a short break. And how short is that?

The Kia EV5 charges at a maximum power of 150 kW. I should mention here that my charging experience was a bit strange — at around 10% battery, I got about 135 kW, then 150 kW at 40%. Generally, above 100 kW, charging continues almost all the way to 70% battery level, and charging from 10% to 80% takes about 30 minutes. It’s just enough time to use the restroom, order a coffee, and take a short walk to get the blood flowing in the limbs.

In slower roads and urban areas, the situation is completely different. The average energy consumption drops to 16-18 kWh/100 km, so driving around in a loop allows you to cover up to 500 km on a single charge, after which you can top it up at a very low cost overnight if you have a charger at home.

Who is this car for? Is it worth buying such a vehicle?

I’ve seen a few reviews about this car saying that due to its size it makes no sense at all. I disagree with that. The higher fuel consumption in this car is the same as in gasoline vehicles. If you buy a large G-class, you’ll need to refuel every 150-200 kilometers at speeds of 100-120 km/h. However, the car’s size and design do have an impact. Of course, the manufacturer could opt for a higher maximum charging power to at least bring it closer to the EV6 (300 kW+), while significantly reducing charging time, but it’s still not bad.

Who would I recommend this car to? Definitely not those who like to drive the Wrocław-Warsaw route in one go. I prefer making just 1 stop, and that’s all required for this car as well. Additionally, if you want a comfortable car with a spacious trunk, the EV5 would be a good choice.

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