This review is based on 13 day media loan experience test driving the Australian Kia EV5 Air Standard Range base model for 517km (this would be about 13500 kms per year).
The weather in the last 2 weeks of August 2025 was not too bad and early September when I returned the EV5 Air was true spring weather with brilliant sunny days and thus I took the opportunity to really test the car’s EV related features.
I am a retiree in my early 70’s and had never driven an EV until late 2024.
I have driven internal combustion engine (ICE) cars in many countries. In Africa a manual Ford Anglia and Renault 12, in North America a manual Honda Civic Station wagon (left hand drive of course, driving on the wrong side of the road you could say!), VW Golf in Ireland and Holden Commodores, Ford Falcons and Toyota Camrys in Australia.
Range & Efficiency Test
I am now considering replacing my Mazda 3 with an EV. So with this in mind, I decided to do a longer trip which would involve significant gradients.
The one long trip from Holsworthy to Blackheath in the Blue Mountains and back was really revealing. A total of 205 kms there and back. For reference the Kia EV5 Air Standard Range base model has a WLTP mixed highway and city range of 400km.
The initial drive to Medlow Bath was exactly 99.3 kms long and the car showed 20.2 kWh usage per 100 kms at destination.
On departing Blackheath the car showed an available range of 206 km and battery at 50% charged. On reaching the bottom of Lapstone Hill, a distance of 55 km, the range had increased to 215 kms and the battery showed 48% charge. A true test showing the regenerative braking capability of an EV.
The return trip from Blackheath to home was 104.4 kms, the car showed an available range of 181 kms / 38% at destination and had used 7.3 kWh per 100 kms during the return trip down hill.
Charging
During the time I had the car, I charged it at 8 amps, using my 10 amps power point in my garage, at all times utilising solar energy from my home solar array.
To date when reviewing EVs I’ve always charged them at home. As I write this review, I understand that you have to use either an RFID card or one of many phone apps to charge an EV should you want to use public charging locations.
I would like to see the day when public charging an EV and paying for it was as simple as filling petrol in an ICE car. That would make it more attractive for a lot of people including seniors to replace their ICE cars with EVs.
Interior Features
The EV5 Air features a handy 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, a very handy feature allowing the driver to focus straight ahead.
The seats are very comfortable and easy to get in and out for taller people, but not so for shorter drivers or passengers. The driver seat adjustment is powered in the EV5 Air but the passenger seat adjustment is manual.
The front bench seats a driver and one passenger so what is the function of the unusual middle pouch design? To me it takes away the opportunity for a centre console storage area which could be used for storage of keys, mobile phone etc.
For people who like buttons and dials rather than a touch screen, there are toggles on the dash which allow for adjustment of common functions like temperature, fan speed and infotainment. Wireless/wired Apple Play and Android Auto is standard.
There is plenty of boot space in the EV5 Air, with a two piece floor. It is a clever design with some “pockets” useful for the storage of, say a bottle of milk or other goods so that they remain safely stowed and don’t fly around in the back while the car is in motion.
There are movable pegs too on the sides that could be used to anchor shopping bags for instance. I however liked the EV3 boot better as it has the potential for a spacesaver spare wheel.
Verdict
After previously driving the EV3 for two weeks I immediately found the ride quality of the EV5 not to be as good as that of the EV3.
I drove the EV5 in Eco mode and that was enough power for my use. I am now quite used to one pedal driving and can clearly relate to the advantages of this feature.
In summary, the EV5 is longer than the EV3 but just 35 mm longer than my 2017 Mazda 3 Maxx Sedan. However it seems so much bigger and roomier due to its boxy shape. The ample headroom, legroom and lots of storage space is the result.
The EV5 was fun to drive and would be ideal as a family car with lots of room for the entire family and their luggage. However it would be too big for my use.
EDITORS VIEW
The Australian price of the Kia EV5 Air Standard Range is $56,770 driveaway in NSW. The EV5 has sold relatively well in Australia so far to families that want a spacious practical SUV and fleet managers that want an easy to drive EV option for their staff to use.
Watch my videos below from the Australian media launch of the EV5 and a EV range test at a later date driving a Kia EV5 Air Long Range over 2000km from Sydney to Byron Bay return.
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