By Mike Agerbo | GetConnected
I’ve been driving my 2019 Tesla Model 3 for almost seven years. For this 2027 Kia EV5 GT-Line review, I had a pretty simple test in mind. Could I use the Tesla charger I already have at home, plug in at my local Supercharger and come away wanting to drive the Kia every day?
The answer got interesting in a grocery-store parking lot. The Kia and the Tesla plug got along just fine. The cable barely reached.
Kia EV5 GT-Line pricing, range and design
I like that Kia went with a boxy, upright design. There’s a lot of usable space inside, and the squared-off shape gives it the look of a familiar SUV. The GT-Line adds sportier styling and some premium touches. Kia sells a separate EV5 GT for buyers who want the performance model.
Kia Canada lists the EV5 lineup from $43,495, with the GT-Line FWD at $55,495 and the GT-Line AWD at $57,995, all Canadian MSRPs before fees and taxes. Kia estimates 457 km of range for the front-wheel-drive GT-Line and 439 km for the all-wheel-drive version. Those are Kia’s figures. My time with the car was focused on everyday driving and charging. Kia Canada pricing · Kia Canada specifications
I missed having real buttons
After years of doing almost everything on the Tesla touchscreen, I appreciated being able to change the temperature or turn the volume down with a physical control. Kia still gives you big digital displays, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto let you bring your usual apps along. I reached for CarPlay.
There’s one awkward bit. Kia puts a small climate display between the driver’s instruments and the infotainment screen. From my driving position, the steering wheel could hide part of it. The physical controls helped, but I’d check that sightline when you set up the seat and wheel on a test drive.
Yes, I charged it at a Tesla Supercharger
The EV5 has a native NACS charging port, the same connector my Tesla uses. At home, I plugged the Kia into my existing Tesla charger and it worked right away. That was a bigger deal to me than it sounds. I’ve tried other EVs that didn’t get along with that charger.
My local Supercharger also worked, but the short cable was a different story. The EV5’s port sits by the front passenger-side wheel. I had to pull so far forward that I nearly ended up on the gravel to get the plug to reach. I was glad to have the extra charging option, and I’d check which Tesla locations are compatible when planning a road trip.
Kia quotes about 30 minutes from 10 to 80 per cent on a 350 kW DC fast charger under suitable conditions. That’s the charger’s rating and Kia’s quoted time for that setup. Kia Canada specifications
I plugged my travel trailer into the Kia
Vehicle-to-load, or V2L, lets the EV5 use its battery to power external devices. I connected my travel trailer to the adapter at the Kia’s charge port, walked inside the trailer and found I had power. The GT-Line I tried also had a household-style outlet in the cargo area.
That’s a feature I could see using on a camping trip to run a few small essentials. I’d check the power draw before plugging in anything substantial, especially if I wanted to run more than one appliance at a time.
Would I switch?
The EV5 made a strong case for itself. It felt smooth around town, and there was noticeably less outside noise than I’m used to in my 2019 Model 3. I also liked having a heat pump in the GT-Line, something my older Tesla lacks. It can help the car use less energy to warm the cabin in cold weather.
If I were replacing my Tesla today, the EV5 would be on my shortlist. The quieter ride, physical controls and ability to use the charger I already own are things I’d appreciate regularly. I’d drive a lower EV5 trim before spending GT-Line money, though. The premium touches are nice, and I’d want to see how much of what I liked comes with the cheaper version.
Would you take the EV5 over a Tesla Model Y, or save some money with a lower EV5 trim? Watch my full review and tell me what you’d pick.
