Challenging the Chinese BEVs, Kia EV5 makes Asian debut, priced from equivalent of RM 160k

At the ongoing 2024 Bangkok Motor Show, Kia Thailand officially launched the Kia EV5 which also marks its debut for the Asia Pacific market.

The Kia EV5 is the second Kia battery electric vehicle (BEV) model introduced in Thailand after the Kia EV9. Four variants are offered in the Kingdom which range between THB 1.249 million and THB 1.749 million (~RM 162k-227k).

That puts it in direct competition against the popular Chinese BEV offerings like the BYD Atto 3 which tops out at THB 1.049 million (~RM 136k).

Two fully electric powertrains are offered for the smaller brother of the 3-row EV9 with the three lower variants (Light, Air, Earth Long Range) equipped with a front-mounted 217 PS/310 Nm electric motor. The sole dual-motor Earth Exclusive AWD variant comes with an additional 95 PS/170 Nm rear-mounted electric motor for a total combined output of 308 PS/480 Nm.

Also read: 2024 Kia EV9 to be launched in Thailand; flagship 3-row SUV with swivel-seats, up to 380 PS/700 Nm

Both the Light and Air variants are juiced up by a 64.2-kWh battery pack with a driving range of 490 km (NEDC). Meanwhile, the Earth variants come with an 88.1-kWh battery with the Long Range variant claiming a 665-km range (NEDC) while the Exclusive AWD has a claimed range of 620 km.

DC fast charging for the top-of-the-line Exclusive AWD of up to 141 kW allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in just 38 minutes.

Standard on the Thai-spec EV5 includes a safety suite comprising:

• Lane Following Assist (LFA)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCAA) with Junction Assist
• Smart Cruise Control (SCC) with Stop and Go

The upper Earth variants meanwhile add a few more features into the ADAS suite including:

• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA)
• Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCCA)
• Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM)

Designed to meet the needs of millennials, the EV5 comes with an assortment of features like a driver relaxation seat with four-mode massage function, a centre console with cooling and heating box, and a multi-luggage board.

However, Malaysians interested in the EV5 might have to wait longer but Kia’s Malaysian distributor, Dinamikjaya Motors will be bringing in the Kia EV9 here soon. Expect it to be priced much higher than the Kia EV6 which is priced from RM 319,000.

Also read: Review: This Kia EV6 is the electrifying K-brand car that will shock your peers