ANNIE ALLEN (UK Bureau Chief)
Kia’s EV5 GT-Line has stormed to a commanding first-place finish in a major comparative test by renowned German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport, beating several best-selling rivals from the United States and China.
The impressive result puts the electric SUV firmly in the spotlight, after it dominated a seven-category evaluation covering body design, safety, convenience, powertrain, driving performance, environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness.
The EV5’s final score of 588 points gave it a decisive 31-point advantage over the second-placed vehicle, which scored 557 points. The third and fourth positions recorded 541 and 528 points respectively.
The Kia was particularly impressive in areas that directly affect everyday driving.
In the body design category, the EV5 scored a maximum 100 points, finishing 24 points ahead of its closest US rival. The German publication praised its elevated seating position, extended hood, spacious cabin, comfortable seats and generous second-row and luggage capacity of between 566 and 1,650 litres.
The safety assessment produced an even more dramatic result, with the EV5 opening a 29-point lead over the chasing pack.
A major contributor was its braking performance. The EV5 recorded the shortest braking distance in the entire test, stopping from 100 km/h in just 35.1 metres in cold conditions and 35.0 metres when warm.
The electric SUV also dominated the convenience category, winning by 11 points. Testers highlighted its driver-friendly controls, particularly the ability to adjust regenerative braking strength and activate one-pedal driving directly through steering-wheel paddles.
Then came another victory in driving performance, where the EV5 finished nine points ahead of its rivals.
The testers concluded that the EV5 handled road-surface irregularities with the greatest stability and delivered a highly refined driving experience.
The latest triumph adds to a growing list of group-test and award successes for Kia, which attributes the vehicle’s performance to extensive engineering and validation programmes carried out long before its vehicles reach customers.
Kia vehicles undergo digital and physical prototype testing, proving-ground trials and public-road evaluations across different surfaces and weather conditions. Engineers continuously refine ride and handling, reliability, economy, packaging and ergonomics.
A Kia official said the latest result was particularly significant because the EV5 scored strongly in areas motorists experience every day, especially braking and operational convenience.
The Kia EV5 is the brand’s latest contender in the fiercely competitive C-SUV market. Built on Kia’s dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the five-seat electric SUV combines family-oriented practicality with a bold design based on the brand’s “Opposites United” philosophy.
Its boxy silhouette, distinctive “Star Map” LED lighting and high-tech interpretation of Kia’s tiger face give it a striking road presence.
All versions feature an 81.4-kWh long-range battery paired with a front-mounted electric motor, delivering a claimed range of up to 329 miles on a single charge. Fast charging can replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.
Inside, the EV5 combines technology with practicality. Its integrated panoramic display incorporates a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and 5.3-inch climate-control screen.
The second-row seats can also fold completely flat, creating additional cargo space for families and active users.
The GT-Line variant tested by Auto Motor und Sport adds a sportier appearance through more aggressive front and rear bumpers, high-gloss black styling elements and distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels.
It comes standard with front-wheel drive, while an optional all-wheel-drive system adds a 35-kW rear-mounted induction motor for greater power, torque and traction.
Technology is further enhanced with standard Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing owners to power external electrical devices from the vehicle’s high-voltage battery. Wireless smartphone charging, customisable ambient lighting and a smart power tailgate are also included.
With its decisive German test victory, impressive braking performance and strong showing in everyday usability, the EV5 has delivered a powerful statement that Kia is ready to fight for the top spot in the rapidly expanding electric SUV market.
©Copyright MOTORING WORLD INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved. Materials, photographs, illustrations and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior written permission from Motoring World International
Contact: editor@motoringworldng.com
