Kia has introduced a new special-edition trim called Storm across its EV5 and Sportage model ranges, alongside the addition of all-wheel drive (AWD) to the EV5 line-up.
The Storm trim sits between the existing GT-Line and GT-Line S grades on both models, adding what Kia describes as Air-inspired design cues to a specification the company positions as offering more value for money. Order books open on July 1, 2026, with customer deliveries expected later this year.
The EV5 Storm is priced from £43,145 on-the-road and uses the same 81.4kWh battery pack and front-wheel-drive powertrain as other EV5 variants. Exterior styling blends elements from the Air and GT-Line trims, including body-colored door mirrors and gloss black detailing on the wheel arches. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, heated and ventilated front seats, a frunk, and a three-screen interior layout comprising a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 5.3-inch climate control display and a 12.3-inch driver display. Buyers can choose from three no-cost paint options, including a new color, Dark Ocean Blue, exclusive to the Storm trim.
The Sportage Storm is available with either a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline direct injection (T-GDi) internal combustion engine or as a hybrid (HEV), sharing the same 1.6-liter petrol engine paired with a 1.49kWh lithium-ion polymer battery in the latter. The ICE version produces 147bhp and 250Nm of torque, while the HEV produces 235bhp and 380Nm. Prices start at £34,395 on-the-road for the ICE Storm with a six-speed manual transmission and £37,895 for the HEV.
Kia has also expanded the EV5 range with AWD variants of the GT-Line and GT-Line S grades, taking the total line-up to six variants. The AWD system adds an induction motor to the rear axle, reducing the 0-62mph time from 8.4 seconds to 7.4 seconds and raising the maximum braked trailer weight to 1,800kg. AWD models retain the same 81.4kWh battery and charging times as other EV5 variants, with a 10-80% charge achievable in 30 minutes on a suitable charger. The GT-Line AWD costs £45,645 on-the-road, while the GT-Line S AWD costs £50,145.
Kia’s EV5 has sold more than 4,000 units in the UK so far in 2026. The Sportage passed half a million UK sales in June 2026, across its 33-year history in the country.
