Kia's EV5 Storm Brings Premium Touches and Real Value

You spot it in a crowded lot not because it shouts, but because the details sit right. Flat, body-colored handles that pop out the moment you approach. Gloss-black trim that hints at attitude without yelling. Small things, done well.

Kia has quietly widened the appeal of its midsize EV with the new EV5 Storm edition, now open for orders in the UK. The idea is simple: give buyers the look and feel of a premium model without asking them to pay top-tier prices. It’s a subtle recalibration of value—smart styling, meaningful tech, and sensible electrified running gear.

Premium kit, pragmatic engineering

Under the skin the Storm keeps the EV5’s familiar 81.4 kWh battery driving the front wheels. That’s a package tuned for everyday economy rather than outright pace. If you want extra traction, the GT-Line variants get an AWD option that adds a rear induction motor and a towing ability of around 1,800 kg, useful for trailers or heavier leisure gear.

The EV5’s footprint is slightly bigger than its hybrid sibling, the Sportage: 181.5 inches long (about 4.61 m), 73.8 inches wide (1.87 m), and 65.9 inches tall (1.67 m), riding on a 108.3-inch wheelbase (2.75 m). Side-by-side, the EV5 stretches an extra 2.76 inches in length, gains 1.18 inches in height and nearly a centimeter in width.

Visually, Storm blends cues from the entry-level Air and the sportier GT-Line. You get distinct 19-inch alloys, dark privacy glass at the rear, and adaptive LED headlamps with advanced daytime running lights. Mirrors are electric, fold automatically, dip when reversing and have heating to clear frost. Little touches that add up to a more polished presence on the road.

Inside, technology dominates. Kia fits a sweeping triple-screen arrangement: two 12.3-inch displays handle driver info and infotainment, while a compact 5.3-inch panel sits beneath them to manage climate functions without forcing the driver deep into menus. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the audio comes courtesy of an eight-speaker Harman Kardon system on Storm models.

Comfort is part of the pitch. The cabin gets black artificial leather, a heated four-spoke steering wheel and front seats with both heating and ventilation. Ambient lighting is customizable, a wireless charging pad adds convenience, and the tailgate is power-operated for hands-free loading.

Prices are positioned to tempt buyers away from pricier rivals. In the UK, the entry-level EV5 Storm is listed from approximately €54,521, while the Sportage HEV Storm—Kia’s hybrid family staple wearing the same Storm trim—starts at around €47,897. Deliveries are scheduled to begin before the end of 2026.

Sales momentum has already been positive. Since arriving in the UK late in 2025, the EV5 shifted more than 4,000 units in the first half of 2026 and quickly became Kia’s second most popular model after the smaller EV3. The EV5 is sold across Europe, Canada, China, Thailand and South Korea. The United States, however, is not on the list due to high import tariffs.

Three paint choices are offered at no extra charge:

• Gravity Grey
• Fusion Black
• Dark Ocean Blue

So what is the Storm really selling? It’s not radical new tech. It’s refinement—an EV that looks and feels a step up for buyers who want polish without premium-car pricing. Niceties matter. And when they’re bundled with sensible EV hardware and a clear cost proposition, the result is a model that can sway practical buyers seeking a smarter upgrade.