The Earth is the middle rung on the Kia EV5 ladder, splitting the entry-level Air and flagship GT-Line, and it will set you back $64,770, before on-roads.
The Earth is a twin-motor AWD offering, with a motor at each axle, lifting outputs to 230kW and 480Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h sprint to a brisk-feeling 6.1 seconds.
Unlike the Air, it is only offered with the bigger 88.1kWh battery, delivering a claimed WLTP driving range of 500kms between charges. When it comes time to plug in, the Earth can accept up to 11kW AC charging, while a DC fast charger (140kW) will take you from 10 to 80 per cent in less than 40 minutes.
The Earth builds on the equipment of the Air, so you get 19-inch alloys, gloss black exterior design flourishes and privacy glass, while inside, the seats are now entirely synthetic leather. You also get a second V2L (vehicle-to-load) connection, as well as a powered tailgate.
Tech is covered by twin 12.3-inch screens, with a smaller 5.0-inch climate screen sandwiched between them, and there’s in-built nav, a six-speaker stereo and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
At 4615mm long, 1875mm wide, 1715mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2750mm, the Kia EV5 is roughly the same size as a Tesla Model Y, so if you’re ever sat in the back of the Tesla, you’ll have a fair idea of what to expect here.
Sitting behind my own 175cm driving position, I found I had a heap of knee room, more than enough headroom, and I reckon you could fit three adults across the back seat pretty easily, too.