Kia EV5 GT flexes its muscles in Brussels
The Kia EV5 GT has made its global debut at the Brussels Motor Show as part of Kia’s expanding performance range.
Promising over 300bhp, all-wheel drive and a bespoke chassis setup calibrated for fun, the EV5 GT is gunning for the Skoda Enyaq vRS in the sporty C-SUV segment.
The beefed-up family SUV will arrive later in 2026, joining the existing EV5 line-up and will, according to Kia, “combine performance with the versatility customers expect from larger SUVs”.
At the heart of the EV5 GT’s performance offering is a two-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain. A front-mounted 208bhp drive unit is supplemented by a 94bhp motor at the rear for a combined output of 302bhp.
That’s almost 100bhp more than the regular EV5 and cuts the family SUV’s 0-62mph time from 8.4 seconds to 6.2 seconds. That’s still almost a second slower than the Enyaq vRS, which packs 335bhp, or the similarly-sized Ford Capri, which manages it in 5.3 seconds, courtesy of the same AWD setup as the Skoda.
However, Kia says that the EV5 GT is about more than straight-line speed, with a bespoke chassis setup to match its power boost. Electronically controlled suspension has been calibrated for a livelier drive and comes with a Rolls-Royce-style road preview system. This scans the road ahead and primes the suspension to deal with upcoming changes in surface for a smoother ride and better control.
The GT’s unique 20-inch alloys are also shod in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres to offer improved grip.
To bring added driver involvement, the EV5 GT gets the same virtual gearshift (VGS) and active sound design as the EV6 GT fastback and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. This delivers a simulated sequential gearbox controlled by the braking regeneration paddles and linked to a synthesised “engine” note that adapts depending on throttle inputs.
Sandwiched in the EV5’s floor is the same 81.4kWh battery used in the regular model. There’s no word on range but expect a drop from the FWD car’s 329 miles. DC charging remains the same at 127kW, allowing a 30-minute 10-80% top-up.
The EV5 GT gets exclusive exterior trim to set it apart from lesser GT-Line models, as well as figure-hugging semi-bucket seats and a bespoke GT steering wheel.
As is to be expected from the flagship model, the EV5 GT also packs all the top-spec kit from the GT-Line S model, including adaptive LED lighting, a powered tailgate, head-up display and remote smart parking.
UK pricing for the EV5 GT is still to be announced but the current range-topping front-wheel-drive model costs £47,145 while the GT’s rival Enyaq vRS starts at just over £51,600. Expect the EV5 GT to start from just over £50,000.
The EV5 GT is one of three new GT models revealed at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show. Alongside the mid-sized family SUV, the Korean brand pulled the covers off the hot GT versions of its EV3 compact SUV and the EV4 hatchback and fastback.
It also gave a first look at the EV2 — its smallest model yet, which is set to challenge the Renault 4 and Ford Puma Gen-E when it goes on sale this spring.
