Kia delivers exceptional value with practical packaging, attractive styling, and competitive pricing together seamlessly.
Comfortable ride, refined handling, and outstanding highway efficiency make long family road trips surprisingly enjoyable.
Early ownership questions remain, but the EV5 should be effortless to enjoy.
I’m just going to cut straight to the chase. If the 2027 Kia EV5 isn’t proof that Kia is taking EVs more seriously than almost anyone else, then I don’t know what is.
This compact electric SUV was revealed to the world more than three years ago, but Canadian buyers had to wait until Kia confirmed it was coming here in early 2025. Ever since I first saw it at the Canadian International Auto Show, I’ve been looking forward to driving it.
Part of that excitement comes from personal experience. My family vehicle, you may or may not know, is a 2025 Kia EV9, and I’ve loved almost everything about it. It’s been reliable, remarkably efficient, and an outstanding family SUV. Naturally, I wanted to know whether the EV5 would simply be a smaller EV9 or perhaps something even better.
After spending more than 750 km behind the wheel over a week, I have my answer.
Unique and distinctive
Visually, there’s no mistaking the family resemblance. Kia’s evolved “dynamic box” design language carries over beautifully from the EV9, only in a package that’s roughly 40 cm shorter. As a two-row, five-passenger SUV, it slots neatly into the large-compact/small-midsize segment, and I honestly think it looks fantastic.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreThe design is clean, far from boring. The surfaces are simple, but they’re filled with subtle details that reward a second glance. The wheel arches, the lighting elements, the body creases; everything works together to give this mainstream family EV genuine presence.
Well… almost everything. The pop-out door handles are awful. They’re awkward to use and nowhere near as good as the EV9’s push-out handles. Gripping them is difficult, especially for kids.
Kia value
Pricing is another area where Kia clearly understood the assignment. The entry-level Light front-wheel-drive model starts at $46,000 with 18-inch wheels, a 60.4-kWh battery, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, roof rails, and all the essentials buyers actually want. It lands right in the middle of the segment on price while undercutting several similarly sized competitors.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreMove up to the Wind trim at roughly $50,000, and you unlock the larger 81.4-kWh battery along with the option of all-wheel drive. Above that sit the Land, GT-Line, GT-Line Limited, and finally the full GT.
The GT-Line Limited I drove stickers just above $61,500 and adds extras like a head-up display and Harman Kardon audio. Interestingly, mine remained front-wheel drive, which initially seemed odd but ultimately wasn’t much of an issue. In every case, the rear-mounted electric adds an extra $2,500 to the bill.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreTrue functionality
Cargo space is excellent. The adjustable load floor makes the already generous 566-litre cargo area even more practical, and the rear seats provide plenty of room. Even with child seats installed, squeezing another passenger into the middle isn’t out of the question.
Inside, the EV5 continues Kia’s recent trend of delivering interiors that look far more expensive than the badge might suggest. Material quality is impressive, the design is clean, and everything appears thoughtfully assembled.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreMy GT-Line’s front seats deserve special mention. After nearly three and a half hours of continuous driving, I climbed out without any complaints from my back. Supportive cushions and power lumbar adjustment certainly helped.
Up front, Kia’s familiar dual 12.3-inch display arrangement with the slim climate display between them works well. The software is intuitive, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included, and thankfully there are still physical buttons for many common functions. Storage throughout the cabin is equally generous.
My only real interior complaint involves forward visibility. The lower pillar arrangement creates a small blind spot, although it’s easier to work around than I initially expected.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreEasy roader
Out on the road, the EV5 continues to impress.
Stepping up to the larger battery in the Wind trim increases output to 214 hp and 218 lb-ft of torque in front-wheel-drive form. Those numbers might appear modest on paper, but this SUV weighs roughly 4,100 pounds or about 1,900 pounds less than my AWD EV9. Instant electric torque ensures it never struggles in everyday driving.
More impressive was its efficiency. Over nearly 290 km, with approximately 95% of that distance covered on the highway, I averaged just 18.1 kWh/100 km. That’s better than the official combined rating of 19.6 kWh/100 km, and highway driving usually pushes consumption upward. Just like my EV9, this thing sips electricity.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreRide quality also surprised me, and in the best possible way.
In fact, it’s considerably better than the EV9’s. Where my large SUV can sometimes come across as a little sloppy, the EV5 is composed, planted, and properly sorted. The multi-link rear suspension pays dividends, the steering carries satisfying weight even in Eco mode, and the brakes inspire confidence. Regenerative braking is easily adjusted through the steering-wheel paddles, making it simple to tailor the driving experience.
Charging performance is equally competitive. Thanks to its 400-volt architecture, a 10-to-80 % charge takes roughly 30 minutes, placing it squarely where buyers expect in this class.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreWhat to Watch For
Kia’s electric lineup has experienced ICCU failures and other software-related bugs, particularly during first model years. The EV5 benefits from hardware and technology that have already evolved through existing products, which gives me reason for cautious optimism. Personally, I’d still consider leasing one for three or four years while watching long-term ownership trends develop.
The EV5 on your shopping list
Perhaps the biggest story, however, is where the EV5 fits in today’s Canadian market.
Kia already has one of Canada’s least expensive EVs in the EV4. The EV5 joins it near the top of the affordability rankings, yet it can compete directly with vehicles like the Nissan Ariya, Ford Mustang Mach-E, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, many of which cost considerably more.
2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line | Photo: Matt St-PierreThat pricing strategy makes the EV5 exceptionally difficult to ignore.
The bottom line is simple: I really like the 2027 Kia EV5. If I were ordering one, I’d probably land somewhere between a Land AWD and a non-Limited GT-Line AWD. At roughly $55,000 to just over $61,000, you’d be getting outstanding equipment, excellent efficiency, handsome styling, and road manners that exceed expectations.
More importantly, you’d be getting what I think is currently one of Canada’s smartest family EV purchases.
| Specifications |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Kia EV5 | 2027 Chevrolet Bolt | 2026 Hyundai Kona Electric | 2026 Nissan LEAF | 2026 Subaru Uncharted | 2026 Toyota C-HR | |
| Price Range ($CAD) | $46,162 to $66,162 | $43,398 to $49,963 | $46,748 to $53,048 | $47,814 to $56,409 | $45,785 to $54,785 | $47,829 to $58,234 |
| Drivetrain | - Single Motor FWD - Dual-Motor AWD | - Single Motor FWD | - Single Motor FWD | - Single Motor FWD | - Single Motor FWD - Dual-Motor AWD | - Single Motor FWD - Dual-Motor AWD |
| Tested Model | GT-Line Limited FWD $61,662 | |||||
| Output (hp) | 154 or 214 or 261 (AWD) | 210 | 201 | 174 or 214 | 165 to 338 | 221 or 338 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 218 or 284 (AWD) | 169 | 188 | 254 to 261 | 198/125 front/rear | 198/125 front/rear |
| Base City/Highway/Combined (kWh/100 km) | 17.7 to 18.4 / 20.0 to 22.5 / 19.6 to 20.2 | 15.6 / 19.8 / 17.5 | 16.3 / 20.3 / 18.1 | 16.0 to 19.1 / 18.8 to 21.9 / 17.3 to 20.3 | NA to 17.2 / NA to 20.6 / 15.3 to 18.7 | 15.0 to 17.2 / 17.8 to 20.6 / 16.2 to 18.7 |
| Battery Capacity (kWh) | 60.4 or 81.4 | 65 | 64.8 | 53 or 75 | 57.7 or 77 | 77 |
| Driving Range (km) | 335, 457, or 439 (AWD) | 422 | 420 | 417 to 488 | 399 to 496 | 438 to 496 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,750 | 2,675 | 2,660 | 2,690 | 2,750 | 2,750 |
| Length (mm) | 4,610 | 4,307 | 4,355 | 4,405 | 4,515 | 4,520 |
| Width (mm) | 1,875 | 1,770 | 1,825 | 1,810 | 1,870 | 1,870 |
| Height (mm) | 1,680 | 1,622 | 1,580 | 1,557 | 1,620 | 1,620 |
| Cargo Volume Mix/Max (L) | 566 / - | 459 / 1,594 | 723 / 1,803 | 566 / 1,572 | 651 / 1,685 | 651 / 1,685 |
