KIA is expanding its electric SUV range with the introduction of the EV5 which will sit alongside the EV3, EV4, EV6 and EV9.

With a range of up to 329 miles the EV5 is roughly similar in dimensions to the Kia Sportage and is slightly longer at 4.61 metres compared to the 4.51 metres of the Sportage.

The EV5 range starts from £39,295, with order books now open and first customer deliveries due to start later this year.

The new model means Kia now offers family SUVs with fully electric, plug-in hybrid, hybrid and pure internal combustion powertrains, maximising customer choice.

As with the EV3, EV4, EV6 and EV9, the Kia EV5 is offered in three trim levels: ‘Air', ‘GT-Line' and ‘GT-Line S'.

With each equipped with a wide variety of features, Kia aims to keep the buying process as simple and understandable as possible.

All variants of the EV5 are offered with the same 81.4kWh battery pack as the EV3 and EV4 and charging time is claimed as 30 minutes to 80 per cent from a fast charger or 7 hours 20 minutes at a home charging point.

The motor develops 214bhp giving it a performance of 0-to-62mph in 8.4 seconds, and a top speed of 102mph.

Although a family SUV with space for five, Kia's designers have made a specific focus on aerodynamic efficiency.

On the move, Active Air Flaps in the front bumper open and close automatically to optimise cooling efficiency and maximise aerodynamic performance.

The EV5 also features a full body undercover, as well as wheel strakes and deflectors, to aid airflow.

Although sitting alongside the new Sportage in Kia's SUV line-up, it is 10mm wider, 70mm longer and 30mm taller than the Sportage, with a wheelbase 70mm longer.

The centre console offers a varying amount of storage space, totalling 16.5 litres. The upper tray, suitable for mobile phone and water bottle storage, offers 3.2 litres of storage space, the centre storage box 3.3 litres, the lower tray 5.8 litres and the sliding rear tray 4.2 litres.

The boot floor is adjustable up and down by 100mm and with all seats upright, the EV5's boot capacity is 566 litres, extending to 1,650 litres with the second row folded. For charging cable storage, the EV5 also has a 44-litre under-bonnet cargo compartment or ‘frunk'.

Kia's new connected car Navigation Cockpit is integrated into dual 12.3-inch display and infotainment screens which allows for wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The EV5's displays also integrate an additional 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen, accompanied by physical rocker switches on the centre facia to control heating and ventilation.

A customisable 12.3-inch Head-Up Display is also offered on top-spec models and features integrated Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The EV5 is one of the first Kia vehicles to integrate the brand's AI Assistant, powered by ChatGPT.

The starting point for the EV5 line-up is the ‘Air' grade, a now-familiar entry level also seen on EV3, EV4, EV6 and EV9 while GT-Line models will start from £42,595 and GT-Line S from £47,095.

The EV5 GT-Line S is also available with a heat pump for an additional £900.