Up Close: Kia EV5 At KIA APAC EV Day 2024 – EV9 Styling, 540 KM Range

The Kia EV5 was amongst the stars on show at the recent Kia APAC EV Day 2024 event held in Taipei, Taiwan held this week.

Carz.com.my were fortunate to be present on ground for the recent Kia APAC EV Day 2024 held in Taipei, Taiwan earlier this week. Apart from the EV3, another EV SUV was also displayed during which – the EV5.

Having taken a close gander at it ourselves, this mid-sized electric crossover that serves as a ‘bridge’ between the sub-compact EV3 and flagship EV9 stood very promising indeed.

Aptly, the Kia EV5 serves as a 'bridge' between the flagship EV9 and sub-compact EV3 - the latter making its regional debut at the Kia APAC EV Day 2024 event this week.

Debuting back in Aug 2023, the EV5’s styling is evidently inspired – heavily – by the flagship EV9, albeit in a smaller-sized package. Whilst on the exterior still, notable touches include the adoption of Kia’s signature ‘Star Map’ LED lighting cluster, muscular SUV stance with 19-inch rolling stock, contrasting gloss black body cladding, as well as distinct J-shaped taillights.

Before you ask, the Kia EV5 has a footprint that’s similar to the rivalling Tesla Model Y. It sits 4,615 MM long with a 2,750 MM wheelbase, 1,875 MM wide and 1,715 MM tall with kerb weights ranging between 1,870 KG and 2,130 KG – depending on variant, of course.

With its EV5's exterior styling, it's evident that the flagship EV9 served as heavy inspiration.

The EV9’s heavy inspiration again shines once we climbed aboard into the EV5’s cabin, key traits to which include the dual 12.3-inch digital displays in the dash, a stand-alone 5-inch touch panel for the climate control with some tactilce physical control buttons, plush synthetic leather upholstery, as well as a posh panoramic sunroof, amongst many other bits.

Closer to home, neighbouring Thailand sees the Kia EV5 already on sale with two variants offered – base front-wheel-drive (FWD) and range-topping dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) flavours. The former sees its sole e-motor kick out 217 PS and 310 NM whilst the latter puts out higher outputs of 313 PS and 480 NM.

Depending on variant, the EV5's battery pack sees a 64.2 kWh and 88.1 kWh capacity choices available, which in turn offers up to 400 KM or 540 KM of WLTP-rated range respectively.

Both guises underpin a 400-volt architecture with a range of battery capacities offered. The smallest of which is rated at 64.2 kWh and promises a WLTP-rated range of 400 KM, whereas the largest packs 88.1 kWh instead plus a longer WLTP-rated range figure of 540 KM. However, only the larger battery benefits with 11 kW AC charging ability versus 7 kW in the smaller battery spec.

DC fast-charging speeds are also varied at 102 kW and 141 kW respectively, but both offer 10-80% re-charge times of roughly 36 minutes. Whilst on the subject of quick, the EV5’s century sprint times of 8.5 secs (FWD) and 6.1 secs (AWD) aren’t bad either. Aptly, rapid DC charging and off-the-line sprints are perhaps expected traits from the Korean marque’s latest electric metal.

On board, the EV9's heavy inspiration is once again prevalent, albeit minus third-row seats. Both tech and luxe levels remain arguably as high as the EV9's too.

Whilst our time sizing it up was brief, there was indeed plenty to soak up, thus the lasting impression it left on us. The only real shame here is the fact that local Malaysian Kia disitributors Dinamikjaya Motors (BAuto) have yet shown signs of introducing the EV5 in Malaysia just yet, meaning we’ll have to wait and see.

In the meantime, what do you folks reckon? Are you digging the Kia EV5? Would you opt for this over contemporaries like the Model Y mentioned? Share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media pages.