2025 Kia EV 5 Air - 👀 Is this the car that fleet managers have been waiting for?

🏷️ Price: $56,770 before on-roads

The Kia EV5 Air makes a compelling case for fleet managers looking to electrify their operations without breaking the bank. This compact electric SUV hits the sweet spot between practicality and running costs.

Talking to fleet managers, many have considered the Tesla Model Y for a while now but haven't quite made the jump despite a great bang for buck. Although it makes a great personal car, fleet requirements are slightly more nuanced.

Why you ask? Let's look at the criteria for a fleet car.

1. Fit for purpose

The driver experience is familiar to anyone who has driven the EV9 already. Wide screens provide a wealth of information and mixing physical, touch buttons and touch screen give you a wealth of options without being overwhelming. I struggle with default nav systems in general so Apple/Android carplay is 👌.

The drive itself is fine - smooth and responsive as you would expect. There are plenty of beeps, boops & vibrations whilst driving, all providing safety warnings on all sorts of things such as deviating eyes, changes to speed limits, lane warnings etc. although sometimes it does feel a little over the top. As a fleet car where driver safety is paramount, this can be a huge plus.

Features such as an electric tail gate and electric passenger seat adjustments are missing on the Air variant but on the flip side you get electric lumbar adjustments and a massage function for the drivers seat.

V2L inside the boot will be handy for simply things like recharging laptops, tools or other equipment.

Although not a decision factor for fleet managers, it's still worth mentioning that the design language of the EV5 makes it feel more spacious than it is. Continuous surfaces that fold provide interesting sharp lines for a modern look. I especially like the passenger seat that continues into the middle of vehicle - although its utility is limited, it does make it feel like you're sitting at a bench with ample space. With the arm rest folding up, many have asked whether this space could be used as an extra (tiny) seat.

2. Storage

At 854L of boot model for the Model Y would you think that there's no comparison to the EV5 boot at 513L. This, however does not tell the whole story. The raw volume numbers are deceptive and the shape and size of the cargo is key to making the right choice.

I used a 53 x 53 x 53cm box to test the volume and although there was plenty of depth left in the Model Y boot, however the tailgate could not close. The sloped back of the Model Y meant that the corner of the box protruded slightly and prevented the door from closing (I've been caught out a few times at Bunnings! 😩).

The boxy shape of the EV5 was well suited for this task and the door had no problem closing with extra space for taller cargo.

The raw volume numbers are deceptive and the shape and size of the cargo is key to make the right choice.

If your fleet's cargo can be divided up, the Model Y will present more options with not only a bigger frunk but also significantly deeper underboot space.

3. Price

The obvious move here is that the EV5 is priced to compete but it does come at a cost. Features such as an electric tail gate may be a deal breaker for more conservative fleet policies forcing an upgrade to the Earth or GT variants.

Price is important but not the first factor in this decision and that's because it really depends on what sort of vehicle you're comparing to determine best bang for buck. eg. A sales vehicle that gets an employee from A to B has many more options than a vehicle that needs to carry a lot of goods. The list narrows quickly the more storage volume that's required before you start considering a 7-seater, ute or a van.

Residual value is the other component that fleet managers need to think about, with downward pressure on EV pricing, residual value risk should be a consideration for managers of fleets. Volume based fleet discounts and product flexibility end up helping offset this risk.

4. Perception

The Kia brand does not attract controversy nor do government organisations need to worry about Chinese cars. It's pretty common for fleets to not want to be seen as driving Tesla's as it looks 'luxurious' despite it being cheaper than some alternatives.

5. Fleet modifications

Typical modifications for a fleet vehicle include cargo barrier, shelving, tow bar, roof racks. The shape and material of the EV5 lends itself well to this. This can typically added onto any car however some fleets policies required OEM approved accessories only. Tesla glass roofs prevent hard items such as ladders being mounted on roof racks.

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Overall, the Kia EV5 is a solid fleet vehicle that strikes a lovely balance between the familiarity of a traditional car and a modern simplicity. I've heard the phrase 'Model Y killer' used too often when a new affordable SUV comes out - and whilst the EV5 hasn't exactly killed the Model Y, it certainly provides a great fleet alternative.

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Is your fleet considering the Kia EV5? Would love to know why or why not?