Kia has introduced all-wheel-drive (AWD) variants of the EV5 alongside a new “Storm” special-edition trim across the EV5 and Sportage lineups, with the AWD drivetrain cutting the EV5’s 0-to-62 mph time from 8.4 to 7.4 seconds, the company said. The EV5 “Storm” trim slots between the existing “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” grades, while a matching Sportage “Storm” trim arrives across the SUV’s gasoline and hybrid powertrains. Order books for all new variants open July 1, 2026, with customer deliveries expected later this year.
Highlights
- Kia’s new AWD drivetrain, offered on EV5 “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S,” cuts the 0-to-62 mph time from 8.4 to 7.4 seconds and raises maximum braked trailer weight to 3,968 lbs (1,800 kg), according to the company.
- EV5 “Storm” is priced from £43,145 ($56,951), expanding the EV5 lineup to six variants.
- Sportage “Storm” pricing starts at £34,395 ($45,401) for the gasoline version and £37,895 ($50,021) for the hybrid.
- Order books open July 1, 2026, with deliveries later this year.
Kia EV5 “Storm”: A Fourth Trim Level
The EV5 “Storm” carries the same 81.4kWh battery pack and front-wheel-drive powertrain as the rest of the lineup. Kia describes the trim as blending exterior cues from the “Air” and “GT-Line” grades — body-colored door mirrors from “Air” paired with gloss-black wheel-arch trim from “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S.”
Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, a three-screen layout (12.3-inch navigation touchscreen, 5.3-inch climate screen, 12.3-inch driver display), an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and a front trunk with 60:40 split-folding rear seats. “Storm” is offered in three no-cost paint options, including Dark Ocean Blue, a color Kia says is exclusive to the trim.
The EV5 launched in the UK at the end of 2025 and has sold more than 4,000 units so far in 2026, making it Kia’s second-best-selling EV in the UK behind the EV3, according to the company. The EV5 “Storm” is priced from £43,145 ($56,951) on-the-road.
AWD Arrives on EV5 GT-Line and GT-Line S
Kia has also added AWD as an option on the EV5’s “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” grades, bringing the total EV5 lineup to six variants and putting the EV5 alongside the EV6 and EV9 as AWD-equipped models. The AWD system adds an induction motor to the rear axle while keeping the car front-biased, Kia said, cutting the 0-to-62 mph sprint from 8.4 to 7.4 seconds and raising maximum braked trailer weight to 3,968 lbs (1,800 kg) — up from the front-wheel-drive model’s figure.
AWD variants retain the same 81.4kWh battery pack as other EV5s, so charging times are unchanged: a 10-to-80% charge in 30 minutes on a suitable 400-volt, 150kW-plus charger, per Kia. Range and efficiency figures for the AWD models have not yet been released. The AWD variants carry over the same five-star Euro NCAP rating as other EV5s, built on the E-GMP platform. Pricing: EV5 “GT-Line” AWD starts at £45,646 ($60,253), and “GT-Line S” AWD at £50,145 ($66,191).
Kia Sportage “Storm” Joins Gasoline and Hybrid Lineup
The Sportage “Storm” is available with either a 1.6-liter T-GDi gasoline engine or as a hybrid pairing the same 1.6-liter engine with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. The gasoline version produces 147 hp and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque, with a choice of six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission; the hybrid produces 235 hp and 280 lb-ft (380 Nm) through a six-speed automatic, according to Kia.
Standard “Storm” equipment on the Sportage includes 18-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats in black leather and suede upholstery, a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch driver display, and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon system. As with the EV5, Sportage “Storm” ships with premium paint at no additional cost, including a new Dark Penta Metal option.
The Sportage — Kia’s UK, European and global best-seller — passed 500,000 UK sales in June 2026, in its 33rd year in the country, the company said. Sportage “Storm” is priced from £34,395 ($45,401) with the manual transmission or £36,095 ($47,645) with the dual-clutch automatic; the hybrid “Storm” starts at £37,895 ($50,021).
Full EV5 Lineup
- EV5 “Air” FWD — £39,345 ($51,935)
- EV5 “GT-Line” FWD — £42,645 ($56,311)
- EV5 “GT-Line” AWD — £45,646 ($60,253)
- EV5 “Storm” FWD — £43,145 ($56,951)
- EV5 “GT-Line S” FWD — £47,145 ($62,231)
- EV5 “GT-Line S” AWD — £50,145 ($66,191)
Full Sportage Lineup
Gasoline (ICE)
- “Pure” 6MT FWD — £31,395 ($41,441)
- “GT-Line” 6MT FWD — £33,895 ($44,741)
- “GT-Line” 7DCT FWD — £35,595 ($46,985)
- “Storm” 6MT FWD — £34,395 ($45,401)
- “Storm” 7DCT FWD — £36,095 ($47,645)
- “GT-Line S” 7DCT FWD — £40,785 ($53,836)
Hybrid (HEV)
- “Pure” 6AT FWD — £34,895 ($46,061)
- “GT-Line” 6AT FWD — £37,395 ($49,381)
- “Storm” 6AT FWD — £37,895 ($50,021)
- “GT-Line S” 6AT FWD — £42,595 ($56,225)
- “GT-Line S” 6AT AWD — £44,195 ($58,337)
Kia has not yet published full technical specifications for the AWD EV5 variants; range and efficiency figures are expected in due course.
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