Kia EV5 arrives in the UK with a simple lineup and competitive price

Kia adds to its growing lineup of electric cars with the official UK launch of the EV5. This mid-size crossover goes on sale with a clear strategy: simplicity. The EV5 is available to order now, with prices starting from $53,964, and first deliveries are promised just in time for Christmas.

In order to streamline the buying process, Kia will offer the EV5 in the UK with a single battery and motor combination at launch. This is intended to prevent the so-called "analysis paralysis" among potential customers browsing the growing market for electric cars. The EV5 will compete with the likes of the Ford Explorer and the Skoda Elroq, fighting for the attention of buyers looking to switch from gasoline to electric power without sacrificing practicality.

All versions of the UK-market Kia EV5 will be powered by an 81.4 kWh battery pack, the same unit found in its smaller EV3 and EV4 siblings, coupled with a single motor mounted on the front axle, producing 214 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque.

This setup gives the family SUV a 0-to-62 mph acceleration time of 8.4 seconds. According to Kia, the EV5 can travel up to 329 miles on a single charge. When the time comes to plug in, the vehicle supports DC fast-charging speeds of up to 150 kW.

The single-motor, front-wheel-drive version is the only one confirmed for now, but a more powerful model could be on the horizon. Kia has not officially confirmed if the 306-horsepower dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EV5 sold in other markets will come to the UK, but the company has previously stated its intention to offer a high-performance "GT" version for each of its dedicated EVs.

The EV5 lineup is broken down into three distinct trim levels. The cheapest Air version is priced at $53,964 and comes with 18-inch alloys, black cloth seats, and chrome exterior accents. The mid-range GT-Line starts from $58,496 and gets a sporty body kit, larger 19-inch wheels, artificial leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and V2L (vehicle-to-load) capability.

Topping the range is the GT-Line S at $64,676, which gets a sunroof, ventilated front seats, a premium Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, and fingerprint recognition for starting the vehicle.

Inside, the cabin is dominated by a modern display setup consisting of two 12.3-inch screens - one for the driver's instruments and one for infotainment.

A big change for the European market is the front seating arrangement. Unlike the bench-style front seat offered on the EV5 in China, UK models will feature a more traditional layout with two individual front seats separated by a large center console for added storage and convenience.

Kia will build the EV5 models destined for Europe in South Korea, allowing the automaker to skirt the European Union's tariffs on electric cars imported from China, and keep the EV5 competitively priced in the UK and other European nations.

Source