Kia EV5 Electric Crossover Offers Value and Practicality
Kia has launched the EV5 electric crossover in Israel, starting at 199,000 NIS, positioning it as a practical and well-equipped family vehicle. The EV5 offers good interior space, user-friendly ergonomics with physical buttons, and a competitive range of up to 530 km, though its fast-charging speed is slower than some rivals. Despite adequate performance, its main strengths lie in its value, comfort, and practicality, making it a strong contender in the electric SUV market.
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- Kia's EV5 electric crossover launches in Israel starting at 199,000 NIS, undercutting some Chinese rivals.
- The EV5 offers a spacious interior with excellent ergonomics and physical controls, unlike many Chinese EVs.
- It boasts a claimed range of up to 530 km, with real-world tests yielding around 450 km.
- Performance is adequate for family use, but fast charging is limited to 150 kW.
- The vehicle is praised for its ride comfort and practicality, making it a good first electric car.
Kia has introduced the EV5 electric crossover, positioned as the electric sibling to the Sportage, offering a unique platform rather than a converted gasoline model. The EV5 shares design cues with its larger EV9 sibling and smaller EV3, presenting a taller, more rugged appearance. It measures 4.61 meters in length with a 2.75-meter wheelbase and 1.90-meter width.
The interior boasts excellent ergonomics with numerous physical controls for functions like climate and audio, a feature often absent in Chinese electric vehicles. It includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a separate 12.3-inch infotainment screen, both with clear graphics and a smart range display offering three different estimates based on driving style. The cabin provides ample space for rear passengers, a large panoramic sunroof, and ambient lighting, with the Executive trim adding features like ventilated front seats and a premium Harman Kardon sound system.
The EV5 offers a practical 566-liter cargo capacity, with an additional 44-liter frunk primarily for charging cables. The base Premium trim, starting at 199,000 NIS, is well-equipped with dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless smartphone connectivity, and heated front seats. The Executive trim, priced at 220,000 NIS, adds a panoramic sunroof, 360-degree cameras, memory seats, and advanced parking assistance systems.
Performance is adequate for family use, with a 217 horsepower front-wheel-drive system achieving 0-100 km/h in 8.4 seconds. The claimed range is up to 530 km, with the tested model achieving around 450 km in mixed driving. A drawback is the relatively slow DC fast charging capability of up to 150 kW, requiring about 30 minutes for a significant charge, compared to faster options available in some competitors. The ride comfort is noted as good, even in the city, with the vehicle handling bumps well, though it's not a sporty handler.
Overall, the Kia EV5 is presented as a strong value proposition, priced competitively against both Chinese rivals and other established electric models like the Tesla Model Y. It is described as a successful family car that is well-equipped, spacious, and comfortable, with user-friendly ergonomics that may surpass those found in many Chinese competitors. The vehicle is recommended as a suitable first electric car.