During Kia’s EV Day event, the car company revealed its new electric vehicle called the Kia EV5 SUV. They also introduced two new ideas to make electric cars more affordable and available.
Kia wants to provide a variety of electric vehicles, including the EV6 and the upcoming 2024 Kia EV9, which has Reservations Open on October 16th, which can drive mostly on its own and can go 336 miles on a single charge.
Kia plans to sell the EV5 and, later on, the EV4 and EV3 for prices between $35,000 and $50,000. Their goal is to make electric cars more popular and accessible to more people.
Right now, Kia offers three electric cars: the EV6 and the Niro EV. The EV6 is like a compact SUV, and it can go up to 310 miles on a single charge. The Niro EV is a bit smaller and can travel up to 253 miles before needing to recharge.
The Kia EV5 SUV is Kia’s third all-electric car. It’s built on Kia’s special EV platform called E-GMP and will be made and sold in China and Korea. The car’s specifications are a bit different depending on where it’s sold.
In China, there will be a standard model with a 64kWh battery and a 160kW motor. It’s expected to go about 329 miles on a single charge. Then, there’s a long-range version with a bigger battery that can go 447 miles on one charge. And for those who want all-wheel drive (AWD), there’s a model with a range of 404 miles, and it can charge up quickly.
The Kia EV5 offers a roomy and contemporary interior designed for comfort and eco-friendliness. It uses recycled materials for the cabin, and the seats are upholstered in vegan leather.
The Kia EV5 SUV is a real product, and it will be available for sale in China later this year. However, the other electric vehicles that Kia introduced during the event are still in the concept stage.
The EV3, if it becomes a reality as Kia envisions, will be a compact and affordable version of the EV9. Meanwhile, the EV4 will be a sedan with a sleek design and a futuristic interior.
Whether Kia can actually offer any of these vehicles for the targeted price of $35,000, which is a common goal for many electric car makers, remains uncertain.
Here are the specifications of the Kia EV5 SUV:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform | E-GMP |
| Variations (China) | Short-range front-driver, Long-range front-driver, Long-range AWD |
| Battery Capacity (Base) | 64.0 kWh |
| Motor Power (Base) | 215 hp |
| Estimated Range (Base, China) | 329 miles (by CLTC standard) |
| Battery Capacity (Long-range) | 88.0 kWh |
| Motor Power (Long-range, Front) | 215 hp |
| Estimated Range (Long-range, China) | 447 miles (by CLTC standard) |
| Motor Power (Long-range, AWD) | 308 hp |
| Estimated Range (Long-range AWD, China) | 404 miles (by CLTC standard) |
| Variations (Korean Market) | Similar, but with smaller batteries and lower outputs |
| Additional Features | Heat pump, three-zone climate control, digital gauge cluster, infotainment touchscreen, minimal physical buttons |
| Interior Features | Bench seat in the front row (for China), flat-folding second row, massaging seats, refrigerator-warmer, luggage divider |
| Upcoming Model | Hopped-up EV5 GT (details not provided) |
| U.S. Market | Uncertain; initial confirmation for the U.S., followed by a statement suggesting possible exclusion from the U.S. market |
