EV5

Range depends heavily on the grade. The entry Air Standard Range uses a 64.2kWh battery for 400km WLTP, while the Air Long Range steps up to an 88.1kWh pack and the range-topping 555km. The dual-motor grades share that bigger battery but spend some of it on performance, so the Earth AWD is rated at 500km and the GT-Line AWD at 470km. Real-world figures land lower, as they do for any EV, and Australian testers note the EV5 uses more energy than the segment's efficiency leaders, so treat the WLTP numbers as a best case rather than a promise.

On a DC fast charger, the Long Range grades go from 10 to 80 per cent in about 38 minutes, peaking at up to 141kW. The Standard Range Air is a touch quicker at about 36 minutes from its smaller battery. On AC, the Long Range cars accept 11kW and the Standard Range 6.6kW, so a full top-up at home runs overnight. Be clear-eyed about the pace, though: reviewers rate the EV5's DC charging as behind newer 800-volt rivals like the Zeekr 7X, which can do the same job in roughly half the time.

For most buyers the Air Long Range at $59,990 driveaway (May 2026 pricing) is the one to have. Its 88.1kWh battery delivers the lineup's best 555km of WLTP range, and because it keeps the single front motor it avoids the range and efficiency hit the all-wheel-drive grades take. The $49,990 Standard Range makes sense if your driving is mostly urban and 400km covers your week. Step up to the Earth AWD only if you specifically want all-wheel traction and its extra kit, and to the GT-Line if you want the sunroof, head-up display and camera tech. The Long Range is where the money stops working hardest.

The EV5 is built for family duty. It carries a five-star ANCAP rating from 2024 testing, with strong adult (88 per cent) and child occupant (86 per cent) protection scores, and the full suite of active safety, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist and adaptive cruise, is standard across the range. The boxy body translates to a seriously spacious cabin and a 513L boot that expands to 1714L with the rear seats folded. Add the seven-year warranty and low EV running costs and it makes a strong, low-stress case for a growing family.

Kia has confirmed a mid-life update for the EV5 in the second half of 2026. The changes go beyond cosmetics: it brings a suspension and steering retune aimed at the current car's biggest criticism, a new infotainment system, and a longer eight-year battery warranty. If the way the current car drives is your main hesitation, waiting could be worthwhile. If the sharp driveaway pricing on today's car, a campaign Kia has rolled forward month to month, last verified in May 2026, is what has you interested, it may not survive the update, so there is a genuine case either way. It comes down to whether polish or price matters more to you.