Top 5 cool features of the 2025 Kia EV5: Surprising things you need to know about Tesla Model Y electric car rival

Kia’s next electric car to arrive in Australia is the EV5 mid-sized SUV and CarsGuide was given the chance to meet it ahead of it going on sale in June. Here are five cool features we noticed about this futuristic-looking EV. 

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It’s a mini EV9

The EV5 shares the EV9's boxy appearance, high roof, sleek front, and sharp interior design.

The Kia EV5 looks just like a miniature version of the big, handsome seven-seat EV9 SUV. The EV5 isn’t too mini at almost 4.6m long and 1.9 wide, which puts it in the same class of cars such as the Kia Sportage, Toyota RAV4 and Mazda CX-5. 

The EV5 is similar to the EV9 with its blocky looks, tall and flat roofline, smooth face and its chiselled interior styling. 

It has just two rows of seating for a total of five, but the EV5 shares the bigger SUV’s excellent practicality and clever storage with physical buttons for climate control and music volume, a centre console for stowing large items and wireless phone charging, plus great cargo space with a front and back boot.  

Romantic front bench seat

The front passenger seat extends over to the (separate) driver’s seat.

In a world of sporty bucket seats could there be an EV5 bench seat? That’s right, the EV5 offers a unique alternative with what can be only described as front a bench seat - well sort of. The front passenger seat extends over to the (separate) driver’s seat.

Kia is super serious in stressing the padded section is absolutely not a middle seat and the lack of centre seat belt confirms that. Still when parked and there’s nothing stopping two people getting closer together, is there? 

The extended seat was seen in the concept version of the EV5 and made it through to the Chinese market version. The reason why the Australian EV5 will also feature the extra-wide front seat is because our models will be built at Kia’s China-based factory.

Picnic table

While it’s not really a picnic table, with the tailgate open it would make a good bench.

Concept cars almost always let us down when reality hits and the production version doesn’t feature the wonders promised by the make-believe version we saw at the motor show. The EV5 concept is guilty of doing this kind of thing with rear hinged back doors and swivelling interior seats. In a small win for silliness the picnic table from the EV5 concept has made it through to production.

We use the term picnic table very loosely, this is not going to seat a family of five, actually it’s not going to seat anybody comfortable despite what we’re led to believe from their marketing material. The shelf that lifts out of the EV5’s boot and stands on struts is a feature you don’t see everyday. 

While it’s not really a picnic table, with the tailgate open it would make a good bench and the powerpoint in the boot means you could plug in a sandwich maker or a coffee machine. Actually it’s not silly at all.   

Re-inventing the steering wheel

The EV5 features a slightly squared steering wheel.

The EV5’s steering wheel is more a steering square, or squircle but it’s not as angular as the version seen in the concept. It’s a brave move from a mainstream brand that is aiming for mass appeal and it’s great to see the production version of the steering wheel is still angular and unusual. 

Actually, the EV5’s steering wheel is almost identical to the EV9’s. So, what’s it like to use? Well, we’ve driven the EV9 extensively and we can tell you that it’s slightly square shape is barely noticeable.

If you do want to drive a car using something that looks more like a kitchen chopping board then check out the steering wheel on a Peugeot 3008.

Door handling

When the EV5 is unlocked the handles pop out to make door opening as easy as it should be.

The EV5’s door handles are embedded within the door much the same way those are on the Tesla Model Y. This is done for aerodynamics and better energy efficiency but also for styling and smooth looks.  

The good news is the EV5’s door handles are easier to operate than those on the Model Y’s that almost require a secret handshake-like action. Instead when the EV5 is unlocked the handles pop out to make door opening as easy as it should be.