Kia EV5 adopts sharp look

Sportage-sized electric SUV will rival Ford Explorer; UK sales likely

- FELIX PAGE

The new Kia EV5 is a sharply styled, five-seat electric SUV that majors on practicality and space. It will initially be built and sold in China, but Autocar understands that a European launch – including the UK – is highly likely. Kia promised details of a launch in “select global markets” at an event in October.

When the EV5 arrives in dealerships, it will serve as an electric alternative to the similarly sized Kia Sportage, with rivals including the Skoda Enyaq iV, Ford Explorer and Fisker Ocean.

The influence of the flagship seven-seat EV9 is obvious in the EV5's upright, two-box silhouette, chunky lower body cladding and distinctive, angular alloy wheel designs.