The Kia EV5 is an all-electric compact SUV that was revealed at the Chengdu Motor Show in China on August 25, 2023. It is the third dedicated electric vehicle from Kia, following the EV6 and EV9. The EV5 is based on the Hyundai E-GMP platform and will be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.
The EV5 features a sleek and modern design with a sloping roofline and a wide grille. It is available in a variety of colors, including Snow White Pearl, Clear White, Starry Night Black, Magma Red, Ivory Silver, Frost Blue, Iceberg Green, Tide Blue and Shale Grey.
The interior of the EV5 is also stylish and spacious. It features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. The EV5 also comes standard with a host of safety features, including forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and blind spot monitoring.
The Kia EV5 will go on sale in China in the fourth quarter of 2023. It is expect to price starting at around $65,000.
The EV5 is the latest in a growing lineup of electric vehicles from Kia. The company has also announced plans to launch the EV6 electric crossover and the EV6 GT electric performance crossover in 2023.
Kia is also investing heavily in charging infrastructure. The company has partnered with Electrify America to install 1,000 chargers in the United States.
The production model of the SUV is remarkably similar to the EV5 concept, which was unveiled in March. However, there are a few changes, such as traditional side mirrors, smaller alloy wheels, and the absence of swiveling seats and reverse-opening rear doors.
Here are the specific changes in more detail:
- Traditional side mirrors: The concept had cameras mounted on the A-pillars instead of traditional side mirrors. This is a common design feature for electric vehicles, as it helps to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag. However, it is not yet legal in all countries. The production model will have traditional side mirrors.
- Smaller alloy wheels: The concept had 21-inch alloy wheels, while the production model has 18- or 19-inch alloy wheels. This is likely due to cost considerations.
- Swiveling seats: The concept had swiveling front seats and rear seats that could fold flat to create a large cargo space. These features are not present in the production model.
- Reverse-opening rear doors: The concept had reverse-opening rear doors, which are a common feature on European cars. However, these doors are not popular in the United States, so they have been omitted from the production model.
EV5 interior similar to EV9, with wraparound digital panel for driver display and touchscreen.
There are also tactile buttons and switches for key tasks. The EV5 will receive over-the-air updates after launch, just like other new Kia vehicles. Owners will be able to activate features as needed.
Also Read: Volvo EM90 Teases a Spacious and Luxurious Electric MPV.
Kia has not yet released any official technical specifications for the EV5, Kia EV5 rumored to have 218 hp rear-mounted motor, 310 Nm torque.
