ev.nz summary
The short version
The EV5 is Kia's mid-size five-seat electric SUV, positioned between the EV3 and EV9. Every trim uses the same 88.1kWh LFP battery; front-drive versions are rated at 540–555km WLTP and the dual-motor AWD trims at 470–500km. Boot space is 513L with the rear seats up.
Highlights
- Up to 555km WLTP range from an 88.1kWh battery
- 513L boot (1,713L folded) plus a 67L frunk
- 5-star ANCAP rating (2024)
- Every trim uses the same large battery
- 1,250kg braked towing on all trims
Worth knowing
- 5-year / 150,000km vehicle warranty, versus 7 years on other Kia EVs
- DC charging peaks at 141kW: about 40 minutes for 10–80%
- Light and Light+ have no heat pump or V2L listed
- AWD trims drop to 470–500km of range
This summary is based on Kia New Zealand specifications and ANCAP data, checked on 24 October 2026. It is not a road test: ev.nz has not driven this car and does not give it a score.
NZ line-up and pricing
| Trim | Price | Drive | Range (WLTP) | 0–100 km/h |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light | $67,990 +ORC | FWD, 160kW | 555km | 8.9s |
| Light+ | $70,450 +ORC | FWD, 160kW | 555km | 8.9s |
| Earth | $75,450 +ORC | FWD, 160kW | 540km | 8.9s |
| Earth AWD | $80,450 +ORC | AWD, 230kW | 500km | 6.1s |
| GT-Line | $85,450 +ORC | AWD, 230kW | 470km | 6.3s |
Overview
The Kia EV5 is a mid-size five-seat electric SUV, 4,615mm long, that sits between the EV3 and the three-row EV9 in Kia New Zealand's range. ANCAP records that it arrived in New Zealand in November 2024. Five trims are listed: Light ($67,990), Light+ ($70,450), Earth ($75,450), Earth AWD ($80,450) and GT-Line ($85,450), all plus on-road costs.
Every EV5 uses an 88.1kWh (gross) lithium iron phosphate battery in a cell-to-pack layout. Front-drive versions have a 160kW, 310Nm motor, 0–100km/h in 8.9 seconds and 555km of WLTP range (540km for the Earth). Earth AWD and GT-Line add a 70kW rear motor for 230kW and 480Nm, cutting the sprint to 6.1–6.3 seconds, with 500km and 470km of range.
Kia quotes about 40 minutes for 10–80% on an ultra-fast charger at up to 141kW, and 80 minutes on a 50kW charger. A full 0–100% charge from an 11kW wallbox takes about 9 hours 10 minutes.
Boot space is 513L with the rear seats up and 1,713L folded, plus a 67L front boot, and every trim is rated to tow 1,250kg braked. The Earth adds a heat pump, an interior V2L outlet and a head-up display; the GT-Line adds ventilated front seats, a driver relaxation seat and a panoramic sunroof.
Unlike Kia's other electric models, the EV5 is not covered by the 7-year warranty: Kia New Zealand lists it under its 5-year / 150,000km programme, with an 8-year / 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty and five years of Kia Roadside Assist.
Range and charging
Charging times are Kia New Zealand figures and are the same for every trim. Note that Kia quotes the AC times from 0% rather than 10%.
Gallery
Specifications
| Specification | Light | Light+ | Earth | Earth AWD | GT-Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Driven wheels | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive |
| Motor | Permanent magnet synchronous (PMSM) | ||||
| Combined power | 160kW | 160kW | 160kW | 230kW | 230kW |
| Combined torque | 310Nm | 310Nm | 310Nm | 480Nm | 480Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | 8.9s | 8.9s | 8.9s | 6.1s | 6.3s |
| Top speed | 185km/h | ||||
| Specification | Light | Light+ | Earth | Earth AWD | GT-Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery (gross) | 88.1kWh | ||||
| Battery type | Lithium iron phosphate (LFP), cell-to-pack | ||||
| Range (WLTP) | 555km | 555km | 540km | 500km | 470km |
| Energy consumption (combined) | 18.0 kWh/100km | 18.0 kWh/100km | 18.5 kWh/100km | 20.1 kWh/100km | 21.0 kWh/100km |
| Specification | Light | Light+ | Earth | Earth AWD | GT-Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On-board AC charger | Up to 11kW | ||||
| Ultra-fast DC (141kW), 10–80% | Approx. 40 min | ||||
| 50kW DC, 10–80% | Approx. 80 min | ||||
| 11kW AC, 0–100% | Approx. 9 hr 10 min | ||||
| Vehicle-to-load (V2L) | Not listed | Not listed | Interior outlet; exterior with optional adapter | Interior outlet; exterior with optional adapter | Interior outlet; exterior with optional adapter |
| Specification | Light | Light+ | Earth | Earth AWD | GT-Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length / width / height | 4,615 / 1,875 / 1,715mm | ||||
| Wheelbase | 2,750mm | ||||
| Ground clearance | 161mm | 161mm | 161mm | 166mm | 166mm |
| Tare weight | 2,054kg | 2,054kg | 2,106kg | 2,198kg | 2,229kg |
| Seats | 5 | ||||
| Boot (seats up / folded, VDA) | 513L / 1,713L | ||||
| Front boot (frunk) | 67L | ||||
| Towing (braked / unbraked) | 1,250kg / 750kg | ||||
| Turning radius | 5.87m | ||||
| Wheels | 18" alloy | 18" alloy | 19" alloy | 19" alloy | 20" alloy |
| Spare | Temporary mobility kit | ||||
| Specification | Light | Light+ | Earth | Earth AWD | GT-Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle warranty | 5 years / 150,000km | ||||
| High-voltage battery | 8 years / 160,000km | ||||
| Roadside assistance | 5 years Kia Roadside Assist | ||||
Specifications from Kia New Zealand's EV5 range and specifications page, checked 24 October 2026. Battery capacity is the gross figure published by Kia New Zealand. Kia's EV pages state that its 7-year warranty applies to all new Kia EVs excluding the EV5, which its warranty page lists under the 5-year / 150,000km programme.
Equipment
Standard on every EV5
- 12.3" digital cluster and 12.3" navigation screen
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Kia Connect with over-the-air updates
- Dual-zone climate control
- LED headlights
- 60:40 split-folding rear seat
- 67L front boot (frunk)
- Highway Driving Assist 2 and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Seven airbags including a front centre-side airbag
Light+ adds
- Cloth and composite leather trim, power driver's seat
- Surround View Monitor and Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Forward, reverse and side Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
- Remote Smart Parking Assist 2
- Electric folding mirrors
Earth adds
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Heat pump
- Interior V2L outlet
- 12-inch colour head-up display
- Heated front seats, composite leather trim
- Wireless phone charger and power tailgate
- Safe Exit Assist and rear privacy glass
Earth AWD adds
- Dual-motor AWD: 230kW / 480Nm
- 0–100 km/h in 6.1 seconds
GT-Line adds
- 20-inch alloy wheels and GT-Line styling
- Ventilated front seats, driver relaxation seat with memory
- Heated outer rear seats and heated steering wheel
- Harman Kardon 8-speaker audio
- Panoramic sunroof
- Ambient mood lighting and luggage-board table
Safety
Kia New Zealand lists seven airbags on every EV5, including a front centre-side airbag and curtain airbags for both rows, plus Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (car, pedestrian, cyclist and junction turning/crossing), Lane Keep and Lane Follow Assist, Blind-Spot and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, Safe Exit Warning and a driver monitoring camera.
Sources and verification
Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Specs that could not be confirmed have been left out.
- Kia New Zealand: EV5 overview Line-up, warranty note
- Kia New Zealand: EV5 range and specifications Prices, performance, battery, charging, dimensions, equipment
- Kia New Zealand: EV5 features LFP cell-to-pack battery, seating, GT-Line features
- Kia EV5 brochure (December 2024, PDF)
- ANCAP: Kia EV5 safety rating 5 stars, 2024
- Kia New Zealand: warranty and roadside assist Warranty programme by model
Prices exclude on-road costs and can change; check with Kia New Zealand before buying.
User Reviews
Want to share your experience?
Sign-up is temporarily unavailable. New reviews can’t be posted right now.
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience!
