2026 Kia EV5 GLS: Innovation without complication
Why are new things so convoluted nowadays?
This could be the result of me approaching my mid-30s, but I honestly can’t fathom some of the latest stuff. Take for instance something like ChatGPT – what on Earth does it do and why do I still write faster and more accurately without it (and there is simply no way that A.I. can be used to put the visceral nuances of a car review into words).
It has gotten to the point where I have to ask my septuagenarian mother about the latest apps. My perspective on complexity has likewise extended into the cars that I review – I remember sitting utterly stupefied by my first encounter with the interface of the Tesla Model 3, which is so bewildering that you need to use the touchscreen to adjust the air-conditioning vents.
Happily, I was not filled with utter dread when I stepped into the cosseting embrace of the 2026 Kia EV5 GLS battery-electric vehicle (EV).
Awesome looks
The EV5 is a five-seat, compact crossover that bears more than just a passing resemblance to its cousin, the three-row EV9.
Dead giveaways include the intricate LED headlights and LED daytime-running lights that form Kia’s aggressive Digital Tiger Face, while the lower grill gets stylish silver accents. The side profile carries EV9 cues like the high beltline, the needlessly fiddly, pop-out door handles, the squared A-pillar, and two-tone, 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/60-series tires.
Out back, the EV5 GLS diverges from its larger forebear with its full-width, wraparound LED taillights. Things like the large tailgate spoiler and blocky lower bumper give this EV a sporty appearance, while the upward kink towards the D-pillar makes the car look less like a van.
Whereas something like the Tesla Model Y stands out for being a very sleek blob, the EV5 presents a more muscular and upright stance that drew a lot of positive comments wherever I went.
Cavernous interior
Inside is where this EV really distinguishes itself from its rivals, some of which require an account in a smartphone app before the car even unlocks itself.
There is easily more than enough room for five adults in the EV5, with this top-spec GLS variant getting additional goodies like a panoramic moonroof that really adds to the cabin’s airiness. But it’s the controls that really shine – there are stalks, buttons, switches, a gear selector and even manual adjustment for the vents of the powerful dual-zone, climate-control system.
The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto exists purely to provide non-distracting entertainment to the driver (as it should be) and offer a superb view of the clear 360-degree camera system. However, I feel that the audio system isn’t particularly exciting for a car of this price.
Indeed, there are a lot of things missing for an EV crossover of this price – things like full leather upholstery, an electrically adjustable passenger seat, front-seat ventilation, customizable ambient lighting and an electrically folding rear seat aren’t available. Meanwhile, the hard and scratchy plastics on the door cards detract from what should be a premium EV experience.
Nonetheless, the EV5 GLS fights back with a generously sized cargo area that can be expanded with the split-folding rear seats that allow for a flat load space. And although I liked the 250-volt outlet back there, I wish that there were a proper spare wheel, too.
Efficient EV
On the go, the EV5 GLS offers outstanding comfort, thanks to its supportive front seats and impeccable driving refinement.
Unlike the performance-oriented Model Y, this South Korean contender is more easy-going – you get light (albeit numb) steering and suspension that provides a sublime ride and reasonably secure handling, along with powerful brakes that are operated by a slightly spongy pedal.
The regenerative braking can also be adjusted with the steering-wheel paddles, but the AUTO mode is quite unnerving as it increases braking action based on how close the vehicle in front is. This is possible because of the Kia DriveWise active-safety suite that includes life-saving features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and autonomous emergency braking.
Range-wise, the EV5 GLS is very competitive with its 88.1-kWh battery pack – we got 6.2 to 6.7 kilometers per kWh in the city for a maximum range of 560 kilometers on a single full charge, while expressway driving was an impressive 7.1 to 7.9 kilometers per kWh for a maximum of 660 kilometers.
However, I found the performance lacking compared to cheaper rivals like the BYD Sealion 7 and the Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range RWD. With just 214 horsepower and 310 Newton-meters of torque, the Kia lags the Tesla’s 295 horsepower and 450 Newton-meters of torque, along with the BYD’s epic 523 horsepower and 699 Newton-meters.
Acceleration may be smooth and linear, but it doesn’t match the outright pace of the competition. Indeed, the all-wheel-drive EV5 powertrain available in other markets that produces a combined output of 308 horsepower and 480 Newton-meters of torque would have been a much better fit for this big Kia.
Sit and drive
On the whole, the 2026 Kia EV5 GLS carries on the fine tradition of the EV9 by offering sheer comfort, unimpeachable practicality and class-leading user-friendliness among compact EV crossovers.
But at P2,718,000, it is directly in the line of fire of better-equipped and more powerful machines – these include the P2,588,000 BYD Sealion 7, the P2,594,000 Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range RWD and the faster Tesla Model Y Premium Long Range AWD at P2,749,000. However, their complex controls will detract buyers who want a simpler driving experience.
Indeed, the Kia EV5 proves that innovative EV tech doesn’t have to be buried in touchscreens and obscure interfaces. But more power and standard equipment certainly wouldn’t hurt.
