Kia EV5 is the next in an expanding family | GRR
Not content with ‘redefining the electric saloon’ with the Concept EV4, Kia has very much taken the notion of an electric revolution literally, with two cars previewing imminent all-electric production models from the Korean marque. Meet Concept EV3 and the production EV5.
“The EV market is expanding from one catering to the smaller early-adopter group to a broader mass majority of customers,” said Spencer Cho, Head of Global Business Planning Sub-Division.
“As a leader in the great EV transition, we have quickly expanded our EV line-up beyond the EV6 and EV9 to include a variety of small- and medium-sized models such as the EV5. Our competitive, growing EV line-up will accelerate the popularisation of electric vehicles and provide consumers with more options from which to choose.”
EV5 – Kia’s next dedicated BEV, with a GT already confirmed
We’ll start with the EV5 because, without a ‘Concept’ prefix, this upright family SUV is very much the real deal and the third dedicated battery-electric vehicle after the EV6 and EV9. Also riding on the E-GMP platform, the EV5 will be available with either a 64kWh battery as standard or an 88kWh battery in the ‘long-range’ model, with the option of all-wheel-drive too.
The stated 329-mile and 403-mile stated ranges could be ambitious given they’re to China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards, but the WLTP figures still ought to be impressive, at least in line with what we’ve seen from the EV6 and Hyundai's EVs so far. Thanks to the E-GMP’s 800-volt architecture, there’s room for strong performance and fast charging too, to the point that, yes, an EV5 GT has been confirmed to be on the way.
Looks-wise, it’s all but a caricature of the flagship EV9, with a reassuring sturdy upright stance, as well as all of the ‘opposites united’ styling cues that make the EV9 – and now the EV5 – so distinctive. Given the EV9 is very much priced like a flagship, it’s reassuring to know those cues will be available further down the range, too.
Moving inside, the EV5 continues to emulate the EV9, with a choice of seats that can recline, massage you and even in the case of the second-row camping seat, fold flat to nine degrees. There’s even food storage in the rear console for warming or cooling. Unfortunately, we don’t think the EV5 is getting the EV9’s clever swivelling seats.
What it does get is a high-quality appointment that majors on sustainability and strong tech, with a crisp expansive driver/infotainment display and the EV9’s under-fabric dash buttons too.
“The Kia EV5 is not just the next addition to our rapidly expanding EV line-up, but also the embodiment of how we will accelerate the EV revolution,” Cho said of the EV5.
“For us, it is the perfect representation of both our future EV strategy and our commitment to accelerating the worldwide transition to EVs. The Kia EV5 is not just the next addition to our rapidly expanding EV line-up, but also the embodiment of how we will accelerate the EV revolution. For us, it is the perfect representation of both our future EV strategy and our commitment to accelerating the worldwide transition to EVs.”
Kia Concept EV3 – next-gen Niro?
For those familiar with Kia, the Concept EV3 must conjure up similar questions. Didn’t Kia refresh its all-electric family crossover quite recently? Indeed, the Niro EV has only been around in its latest form for just over a year, yet the Concept EV3 seems to preview its successor.
Well, it’s not exactly a successor. It’s the EV line running in parallel, brought down to the most accessible level we’ve yet seen. So yes, it’s clean, modern, high-tech and uses plenty of sustainable materials including natural fibres for solid structures and 3D-knit seats, for a sort of cardigan effect with the added benefit of zero waste material, reduced stitching and joins.
On the outside, well, we’re seeing a real family aesthetic coming together here. Between this, the Concept EV4, the EV9 and EV5, we’re starting to wonder if the EV6 needs a facelift.
So yes, it’s full steam ahead for Kia with what looks like the most visually distinctive and well-defined range of dedicated EVs yet seen. Throw keen pricing and compelling dynamics into the mix and we’ll have a sturdy riposte to the influx of Chinese electric options. Here’s hoping too for a Picanto-esque EV1 before too long…