Kia announces new ‘Storm’ variant for EV5 and Sportage

Kia has announced the introduction of a new “Storm” trim level for its EV5 and Sportage models, bridging the gap between the existing “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” variants.

The new special edition trim integrates a range of premium features as standard across both model lines, including an 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, a memory-function driver’s seat and customisable ambient lighting.

Exterior updates for the Storm models include new alloy wheel designs and full LED lighting, with the EV5 also gaining an exclusive Dark Ocean Blue exterior paint option. Pricing for the Sportage Storm starts at £34,395 for the 1.6-litre internal combustion engine manual model and rises to £37,895 for the hybrid version.

The EV5 Storm is priced at £43,145 on-the-road. Order books for all these new variants open today, 1 July 2026, with customer deliveries expected to begin later this year.

Expanded EV5 powertrain options

Alongside the introduction of the Storm trim, Kia is diversifying its EV5 line-up by adding an all-wheel drive (AWD) powertrain option for the “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” grades.

This new dual-motor configuration adds an induction motor to the rear axle, increasing total power output to 261bhp compared to the 214bhp found in the front-wheel drive model.

Kia claims this update improves performance, reducing the 0-to-62mph time from 8.4 seconds to 7.4 seconds, while simultaneously boosting maximum braked towing capacity to 1,800kg.

Despite these mechanical changes, the AWD models retain the standard 81.4kWh battery pack, ensuring that charging performance – such as the ability to achieve a 10-to-80% charge in 30 minutes – remains consistent with the rest of the range.

The EV5 GT-Line AWD is priced from £45,645, while the top-tier GT-Line S AWD starts at £50,145.