Kia’s midsize electric SUV gains AWD and a special new ‘Storm’ edition

The new Storm edition variant offers “more bang for your buck,” Kia said after introducing the new special edition model.

Meet the Kia EV5 and Sportage Storm edition

The Sportage and EV5 are already among Kia’s most popular SUVs, but the new Storm variants may hit the sweet spot.

Kia launched the new variants on Wednesday as a cheaper alternative to the GT-Line trim without sacrificing the added features and performance of the standard Air model.

The new Kia EV5 Storm is available with the same 81.4 kWh battery pack and front-wheel drive (FWD) powertrain as the other variants. It pulls design cues from the Air and GT-Line trims, with body-colored door handles and gloss-black detailing.

Other added features include new 19″ alloy wheels, privacy gloss on the rear windows and tailgate, electric auto-dipping, folding and heated door mirrors, automatic flush door handles, LED DRLs and adaptive driving beam headlights.

Inside, the EV5 Storm features trim-exclusive black artificial leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a four-spoke heated steering wheel (also in artificial leather).

Like the other models, it’s equipped with three screens: dual 12.3″ driver displays and touchscreen navigation screens (with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), plus a 5.3″ climate control screen.

The Storm edition gains a few premium extras, including an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, ambient lighting, a wireless phone charger, and a smart power tailgate.

Kia offers the new EV5 Storm with three exterior paint colors, Gravity Grey, Fusion Black, and Dark Ocean Blue, all at no additional cost.

Separately, Kia also expanded the EV5 lineup, adding all-wheel drive (AWD) to the GT-Line and GT-Line variants. The AWD version gains an induction motor on the rear axle, enabling it to tow up to nearly 4,000 lbs (1,800 kg).

Kia said the new Storm edition is designed to offer “more bang for your buck,” after opening orders on July 1.

The new EV5 Storm starts at £43,145 ($57,200), on the road. Kia will begin the first customer deliveries by the end of 2026.

Kia also added the Storm trim to its best-selling Sportage SUV. The Kia Sportage HEV starts at £37,895 ($50,200), on the road.

After launching the EV5 in the UK in late 2025, the electric SUV “has been a consistent hit with customers,” Kia said. With over 4,000 models sold so far in 2026, the EV5 is Kia’s second most popular EV behind the EV3.

Measuring 4,610 mm in length, 1,875 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, the EV5 is roughly 10 mm wider, 70 mm longer, and 30 mm taller than the Kia Sportage.

The EV5 is now on sale in most global markets, including the UK, Europe, Canada, China, Thailand, and South Korea.

Although it’s been spotted driving in the US several times, Kia is not expected to bring the midsize electric SUV to the States, thanks to the Trump Administration’s import tariffs.