Kia is really stepping up its game. Following the success of the Kia EV6, the company is now planning to introduce the much larger Kia EV9. But they’re not stopping there. Kia has also announced several new electric cars that will be added to its lineup soon, including the EV5.
If the EV5 turns out to be anything like the EV6 or EV9, it’s bound to be a big hit. However, it might take a while before we actually see it on the roads. Want to know more about the Kia EV5? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Kia EV5 will be larger than the EV6 crossover but not as big as the EV9 SUV. It’s more of a “compact SUV,” featuring a boxy design similar to the EV9 but with just two rows of seats instead of three.
Kia’s renders of the EV5 show that it will follow the same design language as the EV9. This means it will have a blocky appearance with distinctive LED light patterns at both the front and back. The EV5 will be 181.7 inches long, making it a bit shorter than the EV6, but it will be taller, offering more interior space.
The interior will be similar to other Kia models, featuring two 12.3-inch displays at the front for infotainment and instrument monitoring. Unique to the EV5 is an unusual bench front seat that looks like it should provide a middle seat, though it lacks seatbelts and has a slightly raised middle. It’s unclear if this front seat will be available in all regions, but it appears that the Chinese production model will include it.
Kia’s naming conventions seem to focus more on price rather than size. We expect the EV5 to be slightly cheaper than the EV6, possibly starting around $40,000, although these details are yet to be confirmed.
There are mixed reports about whether the EV5 will be sold in the U.S. It doesn’t seem likely that Kia will manufacture the car at its U.S. plant, which means it wouldn’t qualify for the federal EV tax credit. Some sources say the car won’t be available in the U.S., while others suggest it will be sold in North America, possibly in Mexico and/or Canada. If the EV5 does come to the U.S., it probably won’t be for a few more years.
We don’t have specific information about the different models of the EV5 yet. However, it’s expected that several versions will be available, including single- and dual-motor configurations. The single-motor version could reach 214 horsepower, while the dual-motor setup might hit 308hp. So while the EV5 won’t be the fastest car around, it should still offer decent performance.
There will be both standard range and long-range models, but it’s unclear if both battery options will be available for single- and dual-motor configurations. Hopefully, more information will be released soon.
Kia EVs are known for their excellent fast-charging speeds, thanks to their 800-volt architecture. Unfortunately, Kia has confirmed that the EV5 will not feature this 800-volt architecture, meaning it won’t achieve the same 350-kilowatt fast charging speeds as the EV6 and EV9.
In China, Kia will offer the EV5 with a 64kWh battery for standard range models and an 88kWh battery for long-range models. Battery sizes might vary depending on the market, so we’ll have to wait and see what’s offered outside of China. Kia claims that the single-motor EV5 will have an impressive range of 447 miles, with the dual-motor version achieving 329 miles. However, these figures are probably not based on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. Estimates suggest that EPA numbers could be about 35% lower. This would mean roughly 290 miles for the standard range and about 214 miles for the long range.
The EV5 will be packed with various tech features to enhance the driving experience. You can expect essentials like backup cameras, adaptive cruise control, and lane-centering technology for a somewhat autonomous highway driving experience. Like other Kia models, it should also offer CarPlay and Android Auto, hopefully via a wireless connection. Kia has announced that it will include Remote Smart Parking Assist, which automates parking. However, it’s uncertain which of these features will be available in a potential U.S. model, if one is ever launched.