The KIA EV5 is ready to debut in China

Kia made its appearance in a unique way on the stage of the Chengdu Auto Show in China, filling the atmosphere with excitement among enthusiasts by presenting its long-awaited model, the EV5. This compact SUV, powered entirely by electricity, gracefully sits just below its bigger sibling, the EV6, both in terms of price and overall size. However, what makes the EV5 stand out is its intriguing take on the design of the imposing EV9, giving it an imposing presence despite its smaller size.

The EV5’s debut in the Chinese market is only the first step, since Kia has confidently announced that this electric vehicle will be available worldwide. It has been hinted that more exciting details will be revealed during the highly anticipated Kia EV Day scheduled for October of this year.

A promise that Kia has masterfully kept is maintaining the stylistic essence of the earlier EV5 concept, which blew minds a few months ago and was eagerly awaited by many following the success of the EV9. Looking at it up close, the futuristic wheels, with their avant-garde look, have been slightly resized, reaching a maximum of 21 inches. The air intakes, which previously blended elegantly into the LED headlights, have given way to high-tech projectors. In a subtle but noticeable change, the mirrors have grown in size and the bumpers have been finely reworked.

The EV5 clearly looks like a younger sibling of the standout EV9, with its bolder “tiger face” approach. With dimensions placing it at 4,615 mm long and a wheelbase of 2,750 mm, its size resembles that of the Kia Sportage with an internal combustion engine, yet it manages to be 135 mm shorter than the celebrated Tesla Model Y.

Many traits of its bigger sibling

The audience Kia targets with the EV5 is families of the millennial generation, meaning functionality has been a focal point alongside contemporary design, comfort and sustainability. The interior of this SUV has been conceived as “extra space” for households of this generation, creating a sense of expanded living space. The cabin atmosphere stands out thanks to features like the front passenger seat, which extends over the center tunnel, taking on an appearance similar to a comfortable sofa. In addition, the 64-color ambient lighting, with adjustable brightness, intelligently syncs with the different driving modes and advanced driver assistance alerts.

The EV5’s interior features a sculpted dashboard following the same design as the EV9, centered on a single panel housing dual screens that combine the instrument cluster and infotainment system. The four-spoke steering wheel concentrates most of the controls, while physical buttons for temperature control have been a practical choice. The vehicle also offers two USB-C ports, a wireless charging pad, cup holders and storage compartments. The rear bench can be folded to create additional cargo space, and practical dividers have been incorporated along with supplementary underfloor storage.

E-GMP platform and 215 CV

Following the line of the electric models of the Hyundai/Kia family, the EV5 is expected to use the advanced E-GMP architecture. Although the electric powertrain specifications will be revealed at the October event, some leaked reports from China have already indicated that the Chinese version of the Kia EV5 will be powered by a single electric motor capable of producing 215 CV (160 kW) and a torque of 310 Nm, sent to the front wheels. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that this SUV will feature the impressive lithium iron phosphate Blade batteries, developed by BYD, though we will learn their characteristics and range later.

The commercial rollout of the electric SUV will begin in China during 2023, followed by other markets in the future. And it’s not just the EV5 that Kia has up its sleeve in terms of zero-emission mobility; the brand has also confirmed it is working hard on a subcompact model, the EV4, which will join the already successful Niro EV, the EV6 crossover and the large EV9 SUV, further expanding its electric vehicle lineup with options for every taste and need.

KIA EV5 image gallery