Kia's EV5 review: The family electric SUV is here to conquer the UK market

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The Battle of Hastings proved a decisive moment in British history – after which this island nation would never be the same.

That cross-Channel invasion of 1066 saw William the Conqueror and his Norman forces arrive on our shores in their fearsome Viking-style longships to defeat the last Anglo-Saxon ruler, King Harold, for the throne of England.

Nearly 1,000 years later, I am driving from the site of that historic clash in the present day town of Battle near Hastings in Sussex, to test the sprightly new family five-seater Kia EV5 electric SUV.

In its own modest way, the Korean car giant Kia played a decisive role in shaping the automotive history of Britain.

It is one manufacturer from a trio of Far Eastern nations whose vehicles have changed our perceptions and buying patterns – following in the wake of Japan from the 1960s and ahead of the current tsunami from China.

Tentatively arriving in the UK in 1991 with its Pride super-mini, Kia has evolved from being a purveyor of affordable, practical cars with bland styling to become a highly sought-after, expanding brand whose desirable vehicles exude modern style, impressively comfortable and contemporary interiors, hi-tech kit – but now with upmarket prices to match.

Spacious: The New Kia EV5 SUV is available in three generously stocked trim levels

Such is the case with the spacious new EV5 mid-sized SUV, available in three generously stocked trim levels: Air (from £39,346), GT-Line (£42,645) and range-topping GT-Line S (from £47,145), which I drove.

Much of the EV5 hi-spec kit has trickled down from the vastly bigger and more expensive EV9 SUV (from £66,035). Riding on 19 in alloy wheels (18 in for Air) and powered by an 81.4kWh battery, the chunky new EV5 is propelled by a feisty 214bhp electric motor, moves from rest to 62mph in a pacey 8.4 seconds up to a top speed limited at 102mph, and has a claimed range of up to 329 miles (313 miles on my car). Roughly the size of a Kia Sportage, the EV5 is engaging to drive, swift on the straight and a sport mode gives a sense of security on tight bends. It has good manners around town, though – even in sedate 20mph zones.

You can choose and control levels of 'one-pedal' driving via paddles on the steering wheel, which increase or decrease the amount of regenerative braking and can bring you to a smooth halt without touching the brakes.

The smart dashboard mixes physical buttons, touch commands and a 30 in screen, plus a useful head-up display.

 Much of the EV5 hi-spec kit has trickled down from the vastly bigger and more expensive EV9 SUV

It has achieved a top five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests

The smart dashboard mixes physical buttons, touch commands and a 30 in screen, plus a useful head-up display 

Riding on 19 in alloy wheels and powered by an 81.4kWh battery, the chunky new EV5 is propelled by a feisty 214bhp electric motor

A 350kW DC fast-charger can boost the car to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes

‹ Slide me ›

The practical boot offers a generous 566 litres of space expanding with rear seats down to 1,650 litres

Massage chairs on my car were a welcome surprise, helping me both relax and stay alert. Add to that a sliding panoramic sunroof, privacy glass and a big boot.   

The new EV5 comes as standard with a dominant dashboard screen spanning almost 30 inches and incorporating a 12.3-inch driver display element, 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation and a 5.3-inch climate control section.

The practical boot offers a generous 566 litres of space expanding with rear seats down to 1,650 litres plus another 44 litres of extra space in the font-trunk of 'frunk'.

And it has achieved a top five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP safety tests.

• Added highlights on my top-spec GT-Line S trim car included: a tilting and sliding panoramic sunroof; privacy glass; useful head-up display; smart power tailgate; relaxation and massage front seats; premium Harmon Kardon sound system; a handy 3-Pin socket to power camping kit or domestic appliances during a power cut, and a fingerprint recognition security system.
• The mid-range GT-Line trim is expected to be the most popular choice and includes: wireless phone charging; smart power tailgate; wrap around and controllable ambient lighting; electric driver's seat adjustment with memory function and lumbar support; outer rear heated seats; two-tone artificial leather upholstery; and LED headlights with adaptive beam. 
• Even the entry-level Air (with 18-inch wheels) comes with heated front seats and steering wheel, rear privacy glass, blind-spot collision-avoidance and other driving aids. 

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A 350kW DC fast-charger can boost the car to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes, a 50kW DC in just over an hour, with an 11kW AC domestic charger taking around 7 and a half hours.

EV5 is available in seven colours including Iceberg Green, Gravity Grey and Frost Blue, depending on spec and comes with a seven-year/100,000 mile transferable warranty, extending to eight years on the battery pack.

Kia's new electric car range is numbered simply from EV1 to EV9. At the Brussels Motor Show in January Kia unveiled the new EV2 compact SUV along with sporty GT versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5. And they are instantly recognisable as Kias thanks to their familial style.

If, as a family with children, if you decide to buy an EV5, do remember to teach them the history of the Battle of Hastings some 960 years ago - and maybe a little bit about Kia's own 35 years in the UK too. That'll be one in the eye for King Harold.