Kia · Cars&TechSG Reviews

Kia
Car Reviews

Kia has spent the last few years turning itself into one of the most complete mainstream line-ups on sale — sharp-looking EVs on one side, big practical hybrids on the other, and generous equipment across both.

At Cars&TechSG we've tested four on local roads: the EV4 sedan and EV5 SUV on the electric side, plus the Sorento and Carnival hybrids for families who still want a fuel tank. Every review is honest, and aimed at buyers who want the real picture before they commit.

546kmWLTP · EV4
7.5s0–100 · EV4
1,996LMax boot · Sorento
$742Road tax · Hybrids
KIA4 Reviewed

Models We've Tested

Two EVs, two hybrids — filter by powertrain.

Quick Compare

Key numbers from our four reviews, side by side. Swipe the table on mobile.

SpecEV4EV5Sorento HybridCarnival Hybrid
Powertrain58.3kWh EV88.1kWh EV1.6L turbo hybrid1.6L turbo hybrid
Power201bhp134bhp212bhp241bhp
Torque283Nm310Nm366Nm366Nm
0–100km/h7.5s10.9s9.3s9.3s
Range / economy546km (≈470km real)540km15km/L14.8km/L
DC charging 10–80%29 min (150kW)38 min——
Boot490L513L + 24L frunk179–1,996L627L
Main screens12.3" + 12.3"12.3" + 12.3" + 12" HUD12.3"Dual 12.3"
Audio6 speakersHarman Kardon—Bose, 12 speakers
Road tax / year$1,795$1,502$742$742

Red marks the standout figure in each row. Fuel economy is from our media drives; the EV4's ≈470km is the real-world figure noted in our review against its 546km claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from buyers researching Kia — answered from real driving experience.

Kia EV4 vs EV5 — which should I choose?
They're built for different jobs. The EV4 is the sharper, lighter one: a front-wheel-drive sedan with 150kW (201bhp) and 283Nm, 0–100km/h in 7.5s, a 58.3kWh battery quoting 546km and a 490L boot. The EV5 Earth is the family SUV: 134bhp and 310Nm, a much bigger 88.1kWh battery for 540km WLTP, a 513L boot plus a 24L frunk, and a far plusher cabin with massage seats, an in-car fridge and a Harman Kardon system. Road tax runs the other way to what you might expect: $1,795 for the EV4 against $1,502 for the EV5. Pick the EV4 for pace and efficiency, the EV5 for space and comfort.
What real-world range does the Kia EV4 get?
Kia quotes 546km, and our review notes around 470km in real-world driving. That's a smaller gap than many EVs manage, helped by the EV4's efficiency. Charging is quick too: DC at up to 150kW takes 10–80% in about 29 minutes, while an 11kW AC charger needs roughly 3 hours 43 minutes for the same.
How fast does the Kia EV5 charge?
The EV5 goes from 10–80% in 38 minutes on DC. Its 88.1kWh battery is much larger than the EV4's, so it takes longer even though it covers a similar 540km WLTP range.
Which Kia is best for a big family?
The Carnival Hybrid if you want MPV space, with a 627L boot, a Bose 12-speaker system, dual 12.3-inch screens and up to nine USB ports, returning about 14.8km/L on our media drive. The Sorento Hybrid is the SUV alternative with three rows and 179L behind the third row, expanding to 1,996L with the seats folded, and it managed roughly 15km/L. Both carry the same $742 annual road tax.
What are the road taxes for the Kias you've tested?
From our reviews: the Sorento Hybrid and Carnival Hybrid are both $742 a year, the EV5 is $1,502 and the EV4 is $1,795.
Are these Kias Cat A or Cat B?
None of the four reviews state a COE category. Going by output: the EV4's 150kW and the two hybrids (212bhp and 241bhp, both above Cat A's 97kW limit) point to Cat B. The EV5 Earth is the interesting one — its 134bhp works out to about 100kW, inside the 110kW Cat A ceiling — so it's worth confirming with the dealer.

All Kia Reviews