The Korean brand has unveiled a new electric SUV, which will initially be marketed in China from the end of this year. Its arrival in Europe isn’t confirmed yet, but if it is, these would be the Kia EV5’s three worst competitors.
The Korean brand has added a new SUV to its catalog of electric cars, this time smaller than the previous EV9. Currently it will be marketed in China at the end of this year and it is not known if it will reach Europe. Anyway, below we will show you how three worst competitors of the Kia EV5 in case of arrival in Spain.
Little by little, the range of electric cars in our market is growing and we are currently finding many very interesting options. A model just unveiled is the Kia EV5, a mid-size SUV whose proportions are similar to those of the Kia Sportage, so we can say it’s on par with its zero-emission equivalent.
It measures 4.62 meters in length, 1.87 meters in width and 1.72 meters in width, with a wheelbase of 2.75 meters. It features a rather boxy but undeniably modern design, in line with the latest Kia products.
It is precisely these square shapes and the placement of the rear pillar at the back that allow the EV5 to offer a lot of space on board, as well as a fairly large trunk, which according to the brand is among the best in its category.
The interior is minimalist and very technological. The Korean brand highlights the 64-color ambient lighting system, which automatically adjusts to ten levels of intensity depending on the driving mode.
Powertrain information is currently unknown. However, it is expected to share elements with the Kia EV6, offering two versions with 231 and 325 hp and a 77 kWh battery.
Aiways U5, one of the worst competitors of the Kia EV5
We start with a Chinese electric SUV already marketed in Spain through dealer Astara, which also sells Mitsubishi, SsangYong and Subaru. It is available to buy for 46,640 euros, although like the other models that we present here, the price can be reduced with the MOVES III plan.
It is a vehicle with similar proportions to the Kia EV5: 4.68 meters long, 1.86 meters wide, and 1.70 meters high. It also has a very quirky and futuristic design, with minimalist headlights connected in the middle and located on some air intakes.
Incidentally, in one of these entrances, namely on the driver’s side, there is a socket for charging the battery. The side view is more conventional, with flush grips to improve aerodynamics, and at the rear we have a unified look through the center via an LED strip.
The interior looks fairly clean, modern, and comfortable, although a few things creak, like the glove box, which has been converted into a hanging bag of sorts that can be used as a transportable bag.
In general, it has the correct finishes, and the space is good. The main trunk offers 539 liters of capacity, and we have another 45 liters in the trunk frunk, or front trunk.
It is only available with a 150 kW (204 hp) engine and 310 Nm of torque driving the front wheels. The motor is powered by a 63 kWh battery that gives it an autonomy of 400 kilometers.
MG Marvel R
The Kia EV5’s second competitor is the MG Marvel R, another mid-range SUV available with two or three engines and rear or all-wheel drive. One of its main advantages is its price, which starts at 32,980 euros.
It is 4.67 meters long, 1.92 meters wide, and 1.62 meters high. At the front, attention is drawn to the “C”-shaped design of the slim headlights, which are joined in the middle by an LED light that emphasizes the car’s width.
Despite its size, it doesn’t have a large trunk: it claims 357 liters, but it has another 150-liter boot at the front, making the total volume 507 liters.
There are two versions one with 179 hp and rear-wheel drive and one with 288 hp and all-wheel drive Wheels. The latter has two motors, one driving the front wheels and two driving the rear wheels.
In both cases it is equipped with the same lithium-ion battery and 70 kWh capacity. This offers you a Autonomy of 402 kilometers in the 179 hp version and 370 kilometers in the most powerful version.
You can choose between three versions: comfort, luxury and performance. Standard equipment includes elements such as dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic boot opening, panoramic roof, heat pump and 18 or 19-inch wheels.
Toyota bZ4X
Finally, a direct competitor to the Kia EV9 is the Toyota bZ4X, an electric SUV that starts at €48,650. Hence it is the most expensive of the three.
There are two versions of Toyota’s electric SUV: one with front-wheel drive and 204 CV and one with two 109 CV engines, so a total output of 218 CV. Both have a liquid-cooled battery with a capacity of 77 kWh, which… Autonomy of 513 kilometers in the less powerful version.
It is 4.69 meters long, 1.86 meters wide and 1.65 meters high. The design follows the line of the latest models of the Japanese brand, which, by the way, is quite eye-catching. There is a lot of space in the interior, especially the legroom in the rear seats and the distance in width.
Inside, the big 12-inch touchscreen in the center of the center console stands out, with a new operating system and browser with cloud-hosted mapping, a voice recognition system and OTA wireless updates. It also comes with the third generation of the package Toyota Safety Sense.
