Test drive the KIA EV5, an electric SUV that can travel over 358 km on a single charge from Chiang Rai through the mountains to the Sapan mountains, a popular tourist attraction in Nan Province.
It is not often that you find a car that you like, but what you like may not be liked by others. When choosing a car, you must have ten reasons to buy it. The more options according to your budget. There are many types of cars to choose from, but if you choose according to your usage, it will be narrowed down.
It is not just about having fun and making the driver happy. When you are in your forties and have a family, you must also think about the passengers. Therefore, a good car is one that everyone is happy with, creating travel experiences with various moments. That is the happiness of SUV drivers… who share different spaces along the way.
In an era where electric cars are launched monthly, technology changes yearly. Buying a car today may not be possible tomorrow. It is newer and fresher, like pumped out of the factory. Only the outer shell changes. Wait until the battery technology changes to pump it out again. However, one car model makes buyers feel that the manufacturer does not just focus on selling cars for profit.
However, the design approach is attentive to details that many people overlook. We have seen the intention through the workpieces that aim to create a difference from the original framework of design work, along with promoting the electric car that can run long and run. No matter how far up the mountain or into the forest, you don’t have to worry about the distance.
We are talking about electric cars from Korea, whose reputation is second to none. Although the marketing in Thailand may seem a bit slow, and we h, haven’t seen many new models before, when the trend of the era changed to carbon-powered cars, KIA, which rebranded and is ready to market itself in Thailand, was quite interested in this market in our country.
They quickly released a good-looking car like the KIA EV5, hoping to change the brand image from a popular combustion engine family car to a new journey, an all-electric multipurpose car.
In the past, we were familiar with the KIA Carnival, but in 2024, this camp will release new models to sell in the SUV family, such as the KIA Sorento HEV, Sorento PHEV, and an all-electric car like the KIA EV9, which is a 6-seat SUV, and this KIA EV5.
It can be seen that Kia has cars to choose from, both combustion engines, plug-in hybrids, and 100% electric for the Thai market. As for the Little Brother EV5, competitors from China and Europe are waiting to challenge both price and value. Which is classified in the mid-size SUV segment
The KIA EV5 is available in Thailand in 4 sub-models
Model Selling price :
- Earth Exclusive AWD 1,799,000
- Earth Long Range 1,599,000
- Air 1,399,000
- Light 1,299,000
As an electric car, the KIA EV5 can meet performance and distance per charge needs. Most importantly, the spacious interior supports adjustment as needed. The car weighs almost two tons, which is quite a lot!!! Because you have to carry the battery with you, it is still flexible to use
Ask which model is the most interesting. Earth Long Range can answer this question if you take the economy and value for money. But want to go all the way in terms of power.
Although the driving distance is reduced in the four-wheel drive model, Earth Exclusive AWD must be given credit, which runs from 0-100 km / h in just 6.1 seconds (other models 8.5 seconds or more), but if you don’t mind the options or increased battery capacity, you can run an additional hundred kilometers.
Go for the entry-level model, which is a lot more economical. The selling point of the EV5 is its beautiful design, looks perfect, and the driving distance is just right. It is easy to use, and you don’t have to find a charger often.
KIA EV5 Electric SUV
KIA EV5 Electric SUV, how are the specs different?
In terms of appearance in each sub-model, if you are not a fan or owner of this model, it is not easy to tell them apart. They all look the same. The only difference is the wheel and tire size. The two lower models have 18-inch and 19-inch wheels. The two upper models have almost the same wheel pattern design.
Another difference is the wheel arch decoration, and the lower model’s door sills are matte black, while the expensive model is glossy black. Also, the Flush-type door handles work automatically only in the two upper models. Finally, the sunroof in the lowest model, Light, is unavailable.
As for the standard equipment in the Earth Exclusive AWD and Earth Long Range models, they have Multi Reflection LED headlights, automatic headlight set, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED taillights, spoiler with brake lights, roof rack, and Panoramic sunroof in both the front and rear.
Electrically foldable side mirrors that automatically slide up and down in all positions with anti-stick system (in all models), automatic wiper system (in all models), smart trunk lid (automatically opens and closes) with Smart Tailgate system (not available in the Light model).
Looking at the overall picture, you can see that Most come with a lot of equipment. Some things are not always necessary in the lower models to make the price meet the value because some groups just like the appearance and cannot tell which is the top model. Just the driving distance over 400 km. is considered worth the size of the car.
And because it is an SUV, the height from the road is quite high, making it comfortable to drive and more suitable for Thai roads than general sedans. This also results in the car having very good visibility. As for the exterior color, there are 5 colors to choose from white, blue, gray, black and green.
Everything you should have and the unexpected
The overall interior is beautifully arranged. With the car’s dimensions, it has a spacious interior, both in the front and rear seats, especially the rear luggage space. It supports usage very well. I like the quality of the assembly, and the various materials look premium, showing the attention to design. KIA offers two interior color options for the EV5, black and brown, depending on the exterior color.
However, if you buy the Light or Air sub-models, you can’t choose…you’re forced to choose only black. Blacks also have the advantage of being easier to maintain.
When entering the cabin, the first impression is that it is “not like a Chinese car” but made from the mainland. Of course, with a price tag of a million, there are high expectations for KIA’s presentation. This brand has impressed me with the complete options and everything you should have, including the unexpected.
Plus, there are many sub-models, so you can choose according to your budget without forcing your hands. Everything looks perfectly beautiful. The display screen and various control buttons look fun, like a child seeing a big new toy.
It also comes with a large panoramic sunroof. Travelers who like sleeping in the car and watching the stars should like it. Plus, the second row of seats can be folded flat at 60:40 for camping.
The highlight of the interior is the 29.6-inch panoramic screen that supports wireless Android Auto™ / Apple Carplay® connectivity. It displays driving information in a wide, clear horizontal strip, is easy to use, and quickly switches between information, settings, or entertainment.
You can change the atmosphere in the cabin with the temperature control system and Ambient Light and adjust the lighting tone to your liking. There are 4 USB Type-C charging ports with Wireless Charger. The Surround View Monitor is fully equipped.
Only the Earth Exclusive AWD model has a driver’s Relaxation Seat with a 4-mode Air-Cell massage function, up to 6 points, and an electric legrest. All Kia EV5 models have spacious legroom and headrests. The center console has a cooling and heating box for heating food and cooling drinks, with a temperature adjustment of 5-55 degrees Celsius.
It has a versatile rear seat that can be folded into a table to place a tablet and an additional Head-up Display (HUD) system for displaying driving information on the windshield.
It seems that adding money to the most expensive model doesn’t only mean power and a four-wheel drive system!!! This is almost impossible to find in any car model in our market. Packed with such practical equipment.
Safety systems are fully equipped.
Complete with all functions, such as Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which works with the Rear Collision Prevention System (RCCA), Blind Spot Collision Prevention System (BCAA), Blind Spot Monitoring System (BVM), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop & Go, and Lane Keeping Assist System (LFA and LKA) which helps the driver maintain an appropriate distance from the car in front, helps the car to stay in the middle of the traffic lane and helps the driver when changing lanes. In addition, there is also a Safe Exit Assist system when getting out of the car.
The KIA EV5 is built on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) to support cars with long wheelbases and large batteries with fast charging. It provides a long range and can support up to 5 passengers. It also has Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology and an Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU). You can use the KIA EV5 as a power source to connect electrical devices anywhere.
Is it okay to test drive Chiang Rai-Sapan, Nan Province, a distance of 358 km, 70% uphill?
This time, the team got to experience the KIA EV5 for a full day in the Earth Long Range model, equipped with an 88.1 kWh battery and a 160 kW electric motor (drives two front wheels), the same as the first two models, while providing a range of 665 kilometers of electric power according to the NEDC standard per charge.
When deducting from experience, according to the idea, 500 kilometers is easily possible. However, due to the mountainous road conditions with many continuous curves, there was some concern because driving from morning to evening would be enough to reach the destination.
This model has a 4-spoke multifunction steering wheel covered in synthetic leather and adjustable in 4 directions. It also has a Column-type Shift by Wire gear switch located on the steering wheel column as an additional stalk, in addition to the turn signal and wiper stalks. To use it, turn the switch up or down according to the gear position.
Or, if you want to put it in P, press the end of the gearshift lever. This arrangement is advantageous because no one will accidentally spin around, and it has a neutral gear position.
The Paddle Shift can adjust the Regenerative Brake to several levels, including an Auto mode. It is set to level two for actual use, just enough to avoid headaches when recharging the battery.
I like to set it to Auto or i-PEDAL because I hardly have to touch the brakes when going up and down hills. The car handles everything, and the passengers don’t get dizzy. It’s like keeping up with the car in front.
It adjusts to the speed used smoothly and continuously without jerking or shaking. There is also a Drive Mode button on the steering wheel. If you lower it, you can adjust it to Sport, but the driving distance will be reduced.
KIA EV5 Electric SUV
The seat is very good, providing comfort and relaxation throughout the long journey. The center console is well-made. The various plastics or soft materials provide a good, smooth touch. Overall, it emphasizes being a family car. There are plenty of storage spaces in the Asian style, even though a Westerner designed it. The EV5’s powertrain emphasizes smoothness and agility.
It can be called on in the style of an electric car. Tap it, and it will take off immediately, but not to the point where your back will stick to the seat scarily. Can it be done? It should be possible with the motor size and horsepower. However, the engineers probably intended it to be a safe car and provide driving aesthetics so you can enjoy it more than just driving for fun.
Despite the large dimensions and not-so-light weight, it can easily weave through heavy traffic. The motor continuously sends power to the wheels while going up a steep slope, passing hundreds of curves. It can easily change from a steep road to a flat road and overtake up a hill.
However, some people, especially single men, may not like the suspension settings that still look soft when driving at high speeds because the manufacturer has set it for group travel, friends or families, emphasizing good vibration absorption, detailing the suspension, and preventing noise from entering the cabin. It is very quiet.
Let’s say that today you become a driver for adults or children to sit in; this kind of car, this kind of feeling, is the best for traveling. But if you want a sports electric car, try choosing another model. It’s more suitable for single men. As for the top speed that the factory claims, it is 185 km/h.
The part I want to tell you about is the battery level in normal mode. We used a light regen level throughout the route, which was mostly automatic. The battery level was lower than the electric car I had driven before. “Or in common language, the mileage is high”. Because there were ups and downs all the time, the battery level had electricity from charging back into the system, helping to extend the driving distance.
Therefore, the goal of almost 400 kilometers, when we arrived at Saphan, the battery still had enough power to drive back to Nan province on the second day comfortably and chill. Especially if you come in the same car without accelerating much, you should be able to do better numbers than our team this time.
There will be a chance to find a full review again because we mostly focus on driving this time. There was no time to get to know the details. “The last thing is, is it worth using? Let me tell you that I recommend it. For us, the Earth Long Range model is the best because the best thing about electric cars is the long driving distance. But if it is good, “Kia, please lower the price a bit. That would be great.”
This article from GranPrix was translated from Thai to English
Geoff Thomas is an award winning journalist known for his sharp insights and no-nonsense reporting style. Over the years he has worked for Reuters and the Canadian Press covering everything from political scandals to human interest stories. He brings a clear and direct approach to his work.
