The Kia EV5 will start from £39,295 in the UK

The Kia EV5 is coming – that you already knew – but we now also know that it’ll start from £39,295 in the UK.

That’s for the entry-level ‘Air’ trim, which gets you a 214bhp/217lb ft front-mounted electric motor mated to an 81.4kWh battery for up to 329 miles of range. 

Zero to 62mph is seen off in 8.4s and it'll run on to a 102mph top speed, but more pertinent is the 150kW charging capability, which allows for a 10 to 80 per cent recharge in half an hour on a DC charger. You’re looking at just under seven and a half hours on an AC home charger.

As standard, every EV5 gets Kia’s familiar three-screen dash layout, compromising dual 12.3in driver and infotainment screens split by a 5.3in climate control screen, complete with 2025’s automotive must-have ChatGPT. No, we’re not sure why either. But don’t panic, there are physical buttons to operate the climate on the centre console too. 

Base spec models also get 18in alloys, front and rear LEDs, heated steering wheel and front seats, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Kia’s usual suite of driver assist gizmos.

One up ‘GT-Line’, expected to be the bestselling trim, adds a sportier look and starts from £42,595. It gets the same motor and battery but only manages a claimed 313 miles of range on account of, for one thing, the bigger 19in wheels. But for the extra cash you do get adaptive LED headlights, heated door mirrors, powered tailgate, wireless charger, heated rear seats and vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability.

Want the full works? Range topping ‘GT-Line S’ is priced from £47,095. It gets the same powertrain as the lesser trims, but throws in a sunroof, head-up display, eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, ventilated front seats, digital key, fingerprint recognition, and the full repertoire of parking cameras/sensors.

But not a heat pump. That’ll cost you an additional £900. A little stingy, no?

No shortage of rivals of course. Take your pick from the Tesla Model Y (£45,000), VW ID.4 (£36,995), Volvo EX40 (£44,760), Ford Mustang Mach-E (£43,840), Nissan Ariya (£35,500) and Toyota bZ4x (£36,995). Those prices are similar configurations, FYI.

Order books are now open, with first deliveries scheduled for later this year. Tempted?