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  3. Ford Explorer vs Kia EV5

Ford Explorer vs Kia EV5

Ford Explorer EV and Kia EV5 are mid-size electric SUVs aimed at family buyers. The Explorer EV leans toward traditional SUV users who want familiar layout and balanced performance. The EV5 targets practical family use with a focus on space, simple tech, and everyday usability.

Range varies by battery choice. The Explorer EV spans roughly 360 to 602 km WLTP depending on version, while the EV5 sits around 500 to 530 km WLTP with a single larger battery option. Charging is similar in architecture. Both use 400V systems. The Explorer reaches up to 135 to 185 kW with 10 to 80 percent in about 25 to 28 minutes. The EV5 peaks near 150 kW and takes around 30 minutes for the same window.

Ford Explorer vs Kia EV5

Price positioning overlaps but differs in entry. The Explorer EV starts lower in the UK, while the EV5 sits closer to mid-range trims with fewer battery options. Both are rolling out across Europe, with the Explorer already on sale and the EV5 expanding market availability. This comparison helps you choose between flexible configurations and performance versus simpler lineup and space focus.

Within Ford, other EVs include the Ford Mustang Mach-E and upcoming crossovers. Within Kia, the lineup includes the Kia EV6 and Kia EV9, covering sportier and larger segments.

The Explorer EV offers multiple battery options, strong range potential, and higher performance variants, but charging speeds trail newer architectures and base models feel average; the EV5 offers solid range consistency, practical interior space, and V2L support, but charging speeds are moderate and tech is less advanced than higher-end Kia EVs.

QUICK VERDICT; Pick the Explorer EV if you want range options and stronger performance trims. Pick the EV5 if you want consistent range, simple lineup, and family-focused space.

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  Ford Explorer Kia EV5
Price $42,000.00 $40,000.00
Our Rating 6.3 5.7
Brand FORD KIA
Category Electric Cars Electric Cars

MODEL

Full Model Name Kia EV5
Generation 1st Generation
Segment / Class C-Segment Compact Electric SUV
Available Trims / Variants Ford Explorer Standard Range
Ford Explorer Extended Range
Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
Kia EV5 Standard Range FWD
Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
Kia EV5 Long Range AWD
Kia EV5 GT
Powertrain Options Single Motor FWD · Dual Motor AWD
Additional Notes GT trim revealed January 2026; base trims revealed October 2023

LAUNCH

Reveal Date 2023, March 21 2023, October 12 - Kia EV5 Standard Range FWD
2023, October 12 - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
2023, October 12 - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
2026, January 9 - Kia EV5 GT
Launch Year 2025 (base trims) · 2026 Q2 (GT)
Availability Status Available to order. Released 2024, November - Ford Explorer Standard Range
Available to order. Released 2024, March -Ford Explorer Extended Range
Available to order. Released 2024, March - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
On sale — GT available Germany from May 2026; base trims limited markets
Brand / Manufacturer Kia (Hyundai Motor Group)
Country of origin United States South Korea
Assembly Country South Korea
Markets Available South Korea · Germany (GT confirmed) · select European markets
Grey Market Import Possible via South Korea or China sourcing; not yet confirmed for Nigeria/Kenya/South Africa
Base Price (USD) € 42,500 £ 40,000 - Ford Explorer Standard Range
€ 49,500 £ 46,000 - Ford Explorer Extended Range
€ 53,500 £ 54,000 - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
~$40,000 est. (Standard Range); GT from €59,990 Germany

BATTERY

Battery Capacity 52 kWh usable, 55 kWh total - Ford Explorer Standard Range
77 kWh usable, 82 kWh total - Ford Explorer Extended Range
79 kWh usable, 82 kWh total - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
60.3 kWh total - Kia EV5 Standard Range FWD
81.4 kWh total - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
81.4 kWh total - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
81.4 kWh total - Kia EV5 GT
Battery Chemistry Li-ion (400V type) NMC Lithium-ion
Battery Architecture 400V
Thermal Management Liquid-cooled
Range (WLTP/CLTC/EPA) 236 mi WLTP - Ford Explorer Standard Range
374 mi WLTP - Ford Explorer Extended Range
352 mi WLTP - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
336 mi (541 km) — Long Range AWD · 476 km — GT (WLTP official)
Energy Consumption 241 Wh/mi WLTP - Ford Explorer Standard Range
224 Wh/mi WLTP - Ford Explorer Extended Range
253 Wh/mi WLTP - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
186 Wh/km rated · 208 Wh/km real-world est. (GT)
Regen Braking (Max kW) Yes Yes (level adjustable)
Heat Pump
AC Charging (Max kW) Type 2 11 kW Type 2 7 kW
Type 2 11 kW
DC Charging (Max kW) CCS, 120 kW max, 10-80% in 25 min - Ford Explorer Standard Range
CCS 170 kW max, 10-80% in 25 min - Ford Explorer Extended Range
CCS 190 kW max, 10-80% in 25 min - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
CCS, 30-80% in 27 min - Kia EV5 Standard Range FWD
CCS, 30-80% in 27 min - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
CCS, 140 kW max, 30-80% in 27 min - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
CCS, 140 kW max, 10-80% in 30 min - Kia EV5 GT
Charging Time (10–80%) 30 min (GT & Long Range at 150 kW)
Battery Warranty 7 years / 150,000 km
Battery Preheating Yes — auto via navigation
Additional Notes Standard Range DC peak kW unconfirmed; treat as provisional

PERFORMANCE

Motor Type Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Motor Configuration Single Motor FWD (Standard & Long Range FWD) · Dual Motor AWD (Long Range AWD & GT)
Front Motor Output (kW / HP) 160 kW / 218 hp (FWD trims)
Power Output (kW / hp) RWD 168 hp (125 kW) - Ford Explorer Standard Range
RWD 286 hp (210 kW) - Ford Explorer Extended Range
AWD 335 hp (250 kW) - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
FWD 218 hp (160 kW) - Kia EV5 Standard Range FWD
FWD 218 hp (160 kW) - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
AWD 306 hp (225 kW) - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
AWD 302 hp (225 kW) - Kia EV5 GT
Peak Power (kW / hp) 225 kW / 306 hp (GT)
Torque (Nm) 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) - Ford Explorer Standard Range
545 Nm (402 lb-ft) - Ford Explorer Extended Range
679 Nm (501 lb-ft) - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
310 Nm (229 lb-ft) - Kia EV5 Standard Range FWD
310 Nm (229 lb-ft) - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
310 Nm (229 lb-ft) - Kia EV5 Long Range FWD
0–100 km/h / 0-60 mph (seconds) The acceleration numbers are an easy way to compare car performance. We list either time from 0 to 100 km/h or time from 0 to 60mph, depending on which number(s) the manufacturers provide. The lower the acceleration time, the higher performance the car is. 9 sec 0-62 mph - Ford Explorer Standard Range
6.4 sec 0-62 mph - Ford Explorer Extended Range
5.3 sec 0-62 mph - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
6.2 sec 0-62 mph - Kia EV5 GT
Top Speed (km/h / mph) 99 mph (160 km/h) - Ford Explorer Standard Range
112 mph (180 km/h) - Ford Explorer Extended Range
112 mph (180 km/h) - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
180 km/h (GT)
Transmission / Drive Single-speed Single-speed direct drive
Additional Notes GT 0–100 figure confirmed by manufacturer

BODY

Body Style 5 door crossover, 5 seats 5 door SUV, 5 seats
Platform / Architecture MEB HMG E-GMP (EV-dedicated)
Dimensions (L×W×H mm) 4468 x 1871 x 1630 mm (175.9 x 73.7 x 64.2 in) 4,610 × 1,875 × 1,685 mm
Wheelbase (mm) 2767 mm (108.9 in) 2750 mm (108.3 in)
Kerb Weight (kg) EU: 2008 kg unladen, 2490 kg gross - Ford Explorer Standard Range
EU: 2190 kg unladen, 2675 kg gross - Ford Explorer Extended Range
EU: 2267 kg unladen, 2740 kg gross - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
1,870 kg (Standard Range FWD) · 2,205 kg (GT)
Max Laden Weight (kg) 2,670 kg (GT)
Suspension (Front / Rear) Front MacPherson struts, rear multi-link
Wheel Size (inches) R19, R20, R21 R18 · R19 · R20
Trunk/Boot Capacity (L) EU: 536 l, 1422 l max 566 L (GT) · 1,650 L max (seats folded)
Frunk/Bonnet Capacity (L) No 44 L
Towing Capacity (kg) EU: 750 kg unbraked, 1000 kg braked - Ford Explorer Standard Range
EU: 750 kg unbraked, 1000 kg braked - Ford Explorer Extended Range
EU: 750 kg unbraked, 1200 kg braked - Ford Explorer Extended Range AWD
1,800 kg braked · 750 kg unbraked (GT)
Payload Capacity (kg) 540 kg (GT)
Turning Circle (m) 11.8 m
Sunroof Glass sunroof
Additional Notes Width with mirrors: 2,135 mm

SAFETY

Airbags (count) Side airbags, front and rear, including head airbag system; drivers' knee airbag Front, side, rear curtain, driver knee airbag
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) Yes
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) Yes
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) Yes
Traction Control System (TCS) Yes
Low-Speed Pedestrian Warning Yes
Structural Safety E-GMP dedicated EV platform
Tyre Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) Yes
Child Seat Anchors (ISOFIX / LATCH) Yes — 2 seats
360° Camera / Surround View Yes
Reversing Camera Yes
Hill Start Assist Yes
Driver Assistance (ADAS) Front radar, 2 rear corner radars, 5 cameras. Assisted Lane Change, Clear Exit Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Front and Rear Parking Aid with Manoeuvring Brake Assist, Reverse Brake Assist, Pre-Collision Assist, Cross Traffic Alert with Active Braking, High Beam Assist
ADAS Features Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist · Lane Keeping Assist · Lane Following Assist · Driver Attention Warning · High Beam Assist · Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist · Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist · AEB with Pedestrian Recognition · Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance · Front/Rear Parking Distance Warning · Safe Exit Assist
Autonomous Driving Level Level 2 (ADAS)
Crash Test Ratings Euro NCAP 2025 — Adult 83% · Child 85% · VRU 74% · Safety Assist 80%
Additional Notes 12 front/rear sensors; front radar and cameras

COMFORT

Seating Capacity Heated front seats, massage (driver seat only) 5
Seat Heating Yes — front seats
Seat Ventilation Yes — front seats
Massage Function Yes — front seats
Climate Control 3-zone climatronic
Roof Type Panoramic glass roof Glass sunroof
Bluetooth / Wi-Fi Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay Yes — Wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay
Parking Aids Front and rear sensors, 360 camera, reversing camera, Active Park Assist Front & rear sensors · 360° camera · reversing camera
Additional Notes 3-zone climatronic

DISPLAYS

Centre Screen (inches) 14.6" movable touchscreen 12.3" touchscreen
Driver's Display (inches) 5" 12.3"
Head-Up Display (HUD) No Yes
Mirror Link / Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Yes — wireless

LIGHTING

INFOTAINMENT & AUDIO

Navigation System Yes

TECHNOLOGY

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) Yes — 3.6 kW AC · exterior Type 2 adapter · interior standard socket
Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) Announced
Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2H) Announced
Face Recognition No
Fingerprint Sensor No
Additional Notes Plug & Charge (ISO 15118-2) supported · Autocharge supported

OWNERSHIP

Official Dealer Network Yes — Kia dealer network (South Korea, Europe)
Import Duty Class SUV — check local tariff schedule (Nigeria HS code 8703)

Note

Data Source evcarlatest.com · ev-database.org · Kia manufacturer data
Last Updated June 2026
Editor's Note Standard Range DC charging peak kW, V2G/V2H output figures, and African pricing are unconfirmed — do not publish as confirmed specs
Disclaimer We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct
  Ford Explorer Kia EV5

Disclaimer Note

Specifications sourced from manufacturer data and may reflect WLTP, CLTC, or EPA test conditions. Import prices in your local are estimates based on grey-market landing costs and exclude duties, clearing fees, and local taxes. Figures are subject to change without notice. Always verify with your local importer before purchase. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct

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