Surprise! While everyone was closely watching for the reveal of the EV9, Kia employed a little sleight of hand and revealed that it had in fact been working on another EV model, this one a mid-size SUV called EV5.
Currently called the Concept EV5, the model was revealed at the brand’s Kia Chinese EV Day, and is set to be the next step in the brand’s family of ‘EV-numbered’ models following the EV6 and EV9.
The mid-size concept “provides a preview of a production all-electric SUV” , says the brand, though its design language very closely follows the recently revealed EV9 large SUV.
Further, Kia says the EV5 “heralds a new design era for Kia and gives an intriguing glimpse into the aesthetic direction of the brand’s future fully electric models”. It still, however, incorporates Kia design elements like the ‘Tiger Nose’ grille.
While the production version of the Kia EV5 is only currently confirmed for China this year, the brand says there will be announcements of “details regarding any future plans for other global markets… made in due course”.
Technical details for the EV5 concept are relatively slim for now, though we can expect the model to share a platform with the likes of the EV6 – Kia and Hyundai’s E-GMP architecture that features impressive 350kW charging and widely praised dynamics.
Inside the EV5 however, the brand has detailed some design and comfort features, including its simplified dash and cockpit space with a wide panoramic display, as well as swivelling passenger seats that can be used out the side of the EV5, and a folding rear bench seat and table.
Keep an eye out for the production version, set to launch in China this year, for a closer look at what we might expect to see if the EV5 is confirmed for Australia.
Keyword: Kia's shock Toyota RAV4 rival! 2024 Kia EV5 electric car debuts in surprise announcement, will it come to Australia?