Skip advert
Advertisement

New Kia EV5 GT gets 300bhp in bid to tame the Skoda Enyaq vRS

Kia’s flagship EV5 GT has more power, more driven wheels and bespoke styling touches

A new range-topping GT variant of the mid-size Kia EV5 SUV has been revealed at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, bringing all-wheel-drive to the model for the first time. Kia is yet to announce pricing, but we expect it will cost only marginally more than the existing GT-Line S at around £52,000.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Kia EV5 GT is one of three new GT models being introduced in Belgium, and like the smaller EV3 and EV4, it’s more of a range-topping all-wheel-drive model than a true high-performance derivative. 

There might be a second motor, but together the two only produce around 300bhp, about 85bhp more than a standard model. 

This total output is similar to that in dual-motor rivals including the Volkswagen ID.4 GTX, Skoda Enyaq vRS and Peugeot E-3008, but significantly behind more acute high-performance options like the Tesla Model Y Performance or Twin Motor Volvo EX40.

Under the GT’s cabin is the same 81.4kWh battery pack as in lesser EV5s, helping it reach 62mph in 6.2 seconds. Kia has also integrated a Virtual Gear Shift (VGS) system into the package, which allows the driver to select ‘virtual gears’ with corresponding engine noise and throttle mapping.

Other additions include a dedicated GT driver mode, plus adaptive suspension, 20-inch wheels and more performance-oriented tyres. There are also some small styling changes and GT badging, but the overall effect is rather subtle.

Kia hasn’t confirmed an estimated range figure yet, but we expect it to be around 300 miles on the combined cycle, 10 per cent or so less than the existing single-motor model. 

You can get your hands on a new Kia EV5 for just £37,000 through our Buy a Car service...

Skip advert
Advertisement
News editor

News editor at Auto Express, Jordan joined the team after six years at evo magazine where he specialised in news and reviews of cars at the high performance end of the car market. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New Kia Sportage and EV5 Storm models to steal the GT-Line’s thunder
Kia Sportage and EV5 Storm - front and rear static

New Kia Sportage and EV5 Storm models to steal the GT-Line’s thunder

The Kia EV5 and Sportage are now available with the new Storm specification, while the former also now gets a dual-motor option
News
1 Jul 2026
Kia EV5 review
Kia EV5 - front 3/4

Kia EV5 review

The Kia EV5 is an intriguing alternative to the Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y, though it can’t quite beat them
In-depth reviews
20 Feb 2026
Tesla Model Y vs Kia EV5 vs Smart #5: is the new cut-price Tesla electric SUV king?
Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5, and Smart #5 - front angled

Tesla Model Y vs Kia EV5 vs Smart #5: is the new cut-price Tesla electric SUV king?

The electric SUV class is hotting up with new Kia EV5 and Smart #5, plus an entry-level version of Tesla’s Model Y
Car group tests
17 Jan 2026
New Kia EV5 WKNDR is a rough and tough electric SUV concept
Kia EV5 WKNDR concept - front

New Kia EV5 WKNDR is a rough and tough electric SUV concept

The Korean company has added to its range of go-anywhere electric concepts
News
26 Nov 2025

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia Estate is a cavernous family car for £210 a month
Skoda Octavia Estate vRS - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia Estate is a cavernous family car for £210 a month

Not many cars tick all the boxes, but the Skoda Octavia Estate is one of those. It’s our Deal of the Day for 3 July.
News
3 Jul 2026
Car Deal of the Day: Lofty Toyota bZ4X Touring comes with a low price
Toyota bZ4X Touring - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Lofty Toyota bZ4X Touring comes with a low price

Toyota has continued to improve the bZ4X, and the new Touring version is probably the best of the lot. It’s our Deal of the Day for 2 July.
News
2 Jul 2026
Death of the manual car: shock new data shows record low demand
Manual gearbox

Death of the manual car: shock new data shows record low demand

Just 7.9 per cent of Marketplace enquiries so far in 2026 have been for manual cars, with experts suggesting the transmission could be dead by 2030
News
3 Jul 2026

Find a car with the experts