The Kia EV5 is an authentic, accessible fully electric compact SUV

The compact SUV segment is, by far, the most popular automotive segment in the world.

- ULYSSES ANG

If a carmaker would want to gain market share, this is the space to compete in. Apart from having the right form factor that fits well with the freeways of North America to the tight parking spaces in Asia and Europe, it mixes in this practicality with dollops of tech and style, as well as a dash of handling goodness. It's why there's a lot hinging on Kia's electrification plans and the EV5.

Truth be told, the EV5 isn't a new model. It was first unveiled in 2023 as a then exclusive-to-China model made to combat the rising number of Chinese compact EV SUVs. Since then, however, Kia has turned it into a true global model, expanding its assembly to two other locations, including South Korea. Kia's decision to turn the EV5 into a global citizen stems from the fact that they think electrification has reached a cusp-where the era of early adopters has turned into one focused on the early majority.

The EV5's exterior dimensions aren't that far off from a Kia Sportage. This "Goldilocks-size" makes it adaptable to just about every market whose buyers are probably looking to at their first EV. In terms of looks, it still leans towards the sci-fi, but much less than that of its siblings, the EV6 and EV9. This is on purpose, Kia says, as avantgarde styling, especially anything dialed up to 11, turns off its intended market. Instead, the design relies on well-accepted SUV cues such as its geometric shape, boxy fenders, and large wheels. That's not to say that Kia's abandoned its "Opposites United" design philosophy. On the contrary, it's present and accounted for; only it's less weird.