Three trim levels of EV5 SUV are available, called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S.
In this instalment of Drive Time, John gets behind the wheel of the new electric EV5 SUV from Korean manufacturer Kia and discovers that Ineos will be providing vehicles to military based on the Grenadier range.
Kia has developed an excellent line-up of EVs – the latest of which is the EV5, a mid-sized SUV that is a sound alternative to the company’s popular Sportage.
It is slightly larger than the Sportage and it takes most of its looks from the larger EV9, so its bold rather boxy design looks solid and gives the car a strong road presence.
The styling means that there are stacks of room in the cabin with space for family and luggage.
Three trim levels are available, called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S., while an AWD version and a sporty GT are on the way.
All models feature distinctive front light clusters, tough bumpers, squared-off wings, sculpted wheel arches, vertical rear lights, a large tailgate and either 18 or 19-inch alloys wheels.
The cabin is neat and tidy with three infotainment screens merged behind a curved panel.
All the entertainment features are on the left side while the middle screen deals with the climate and the right covers all the important driving data like speed and range.
Powered by a long-range 81.4kWh battery, the EV5 has a claimed range of up to 329 miles and prices start from just over £39,000 going all the way up to £47145 for the top of the range model.
As you would expect from Kia, all models boast lots of equipment and the range topper has all the goodies including powered heated and ventilated seats which even offer a massage function.
There is also a reversing camera, wireless charging and an eight speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
There is a nice mixture of physical and touchscreen controls as well as an AI personal assistant.
The car also offers fingerprint recognition technology which drivers can use to store their favourite settings.
With 214bhp on tap the EV5 is a solid performer with a top speed of 102mph and a sprint time of 8.4 seconds to 62mph.
Some rivals in this demanding sector are more dynamic but the EV5 cruises nicely on the motorway and it is not fazed by twisting country roads where it feels well balanced.
The steering is well weighted and offers good feedback.
You can operate the car with just one pedal thanks to an i-Pedal setting which can bring the car to a standstill without touching the brakes.
There are four drive modes and steering wheel paddles allow you to adjust the strength of the regenerative braking.
The suspension does a good job of smoothing out rough roads making the SUV feel refined.
The large 566 litre boot is accessed via a large powered tailgate and with the split 60:40 seats folded flat the capacity increases to 1,650 litres. Lots more storage space is also available inside the cabin.
Charging the battery from 10 to 80 per cent takes 30 minutes on a rapid charger and 70 minutes if plugged into a 50kW outlet.
A 10 to 100 per cent charge takes seven hours and 20 minutes on an 11kW port.
The EV5 boasts a five star Euro NCAP rating, so it is packed with all the latest safety features and driver aids.
As usual, it carries the KIA seven years or 100,000 mile warranty, going up to eight years for the battery.
My only gripe was that the cabin did feel a little dark and a bit bland but all its good features may result in it being as popular as the Sportage.
Meanwhile, Ineos Automotive, SMT Defence and NMS UK have joined forces to form Team Grenadier, a UK-anchored industrial collaboration dedicated to delivering a range of vehicles ideal for deployment by the UK Ministry of Defence, based on the INEOS Grenadier platform.
The partnership delivers on the core requirements of the MoD’s Light Mobility Vehicle programme, by combining a world-leading 4X4 vehicle platform with deep-rooted special operations and systems integration expertise.
Team Grenadier is backed by proven UK-based industrial capability that can deliver operational effectiveness, supply-chain resilience and assured service-life support.
The INEOS Grenadier is the lynchpin of the project – a purpose-engineered and highly durable vehicle, designed for exceptional reliability and off-road performance.
Its ladder-frame chassis, permanent four-wheel drive, beam axles and high payload capacity, provide a robust baseline for military adaptation across multiple roles and operating environments.
SMT Defence brings specialist expertise in the design, integration and delivery of bespoke and mission-critical vehicles for elite and specialist military users. Its experience in modular architecture, high-payload configurations and survivability-driven design enables rapid adaptation of the platform to meet and exceed MoD operational requirements.
NMS UK underpins the collaboration with established UK-based military vehicle production, integration and in-life support.
Its global reputation in Armoured and Protected platform development, quality and fleet assurance ensures the programme can be delivered at scale, on time and with long-term resilience – directly supporting UK defence objectives and domestic industry.
Mike Whittington , chief commercial officer, INEOS Automotive, said: “A defining advantage of the industrial collaboration is its British ownership, onshore assembly and local supply chain.
“It brings strategic benefits in operational independence and resilience with security and regulatory alignment – delivering on the MoD’s core objectives.
“Grenadier’s unrivalled capability and inherent strength provide an obvious starting point for mission-critical transport.”
The Grenadier Multi-Role Light Vehicle (MRLV) is one of nine modular LMV applications, each underpinned by the Grenadier’s strong ladder frame and heavy-duty axles.
Already proven in demanding operational environments by fire, police and rescue services around the world, the platform offers exceptional cross-country mobility, outstanding durability and straightforward maintenance, making it ideally suited to long-term military service.
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