Kia details EV5 and previews affordable EVs, none yet US-bound

On Thursday, Kia held its first Kia EV Day outside of Seoul, during which the South Korean manufacturer showed two electric concept cars and gave specifications for its EV5 compact crossover that was launched in August.

All three vehicles will go into production with the goal of extending the reach of Kia electric vehicles to a wider audience. They will cost between $35,000 and $50,000, per Kia.

However, American sales are less assured. The business announced in a statement that “Kia is exploring exporting the EV5 to North America beginning in 2025. The EV5 won’t be manufactured in North America, according to plans.

The EV5 won’t be sold in the United States, according to U.S. public relations representatives, as the business is planning to launch a different vehicle in that country’s compact-to-midsize electric crossover market. It’s likely to be an EV7 that hasn’t yet been revealed.

The EV3 and EV4 production models could reach our shores, but the brand is currently deciding whether or not they are suitable for the market. A fourth car, the EV2, which is less expensive, has also been confirmed by Kia as an option for emerging countries and Europe. Although Kia did not specify its size or form factor, it would probably start at around $30,000.

The E-GMP platform, which also supports the EV6 and EV9, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6, and the Genesis GV60, will be used by all three of the vehicles displayed.

The EV5 closely resembles the EV5 concept car unveiled earlier this year and uses the company’s Opposites United design language. It also resembles a smaller version of the beautiful EV9. It is around two inches shorter than the Sportage in terms of the gas lineup currently in place.

Kia provided some technical details for each of the two countries where the EV5 will be produced. Standard, long-range, and long-range AWD models will be available in both nations. On China’s Combined Charging and Load (CLTC) cycle—a test that doesn’t directly compare to the EPA cycle but typically yields a number 20–40% higher—the base model will have a 64–kwh battery, a 214–hp front motor, and 329 miles of range.

The same motor with an 88-kwh battery and 447 CLTC miles of range will be used in the AWD model. The long-range AWD model will come with a 93-hp motor at the back and have a range of 404 CLTC miles.

Batteries for the regular model will be 58 kwh, while those for the additional models will be 81 kwh in the Korean market versions. The rear 93-hp engine will increase the overall output to 261-302 hp. These vehicles will be able to charge from 30-80% in 27 minutes at a rate of more than 140 kw thanks to a 400-volt electrical system (Kia EVs up until this point have had an 800-volt design). To maintain consistent performance, a typical heat pump will also regulate the temperature of the batteries. Additionally, Kia is developing vehicle-to-load and vehicle-to-grid capabilities for the battery, which will enable it to power extra electric devices and supply power to the grid, respectively.

The EV5 will have an adjustable i-Pedal technology that will enable one-pedal driving as well as various levels of regeneration. Later, Kia will introduce a GT variant, probably with higher power and tuned suspension for sportier driving, similar to the EV6 GT.

The EV5’s interior features a Panoramic Wide Display with a 12.3-inch touchscreen in the centre, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 5.0-inch climate control display. There aren’t many physical buttons, but four secret hard keys under the centre screen can operate various controls. The system incorporates readouts for EV range and charging and will support over-the-air updates. The use of a head-up display is optional. Over the air options will also be offered, including those for performance.

There will be two levels of massage front seats with heating and cooling, as well as a front bench seat for the Chinese market. Customers will have the option of synthetic leather upholstery or recycled PET fabric. A folding camping seat will be available in the back. There will also be a back warmer and refrigerator.

Remote automatic parking, an exit warning system, and Highway Driving Assist 2, which functions as adaptive cruise control and maintains the vehicle centred in its lane, will all be available safety features.

The Concept EV3 crossover, like the EV5, draws design inspiration from the more substantial EV9. Although Kia did not provide specs, it appears to be subcompact to compact in size, similar to the Seltos. The design includes rear coach doors, a wraparound windscreen that has been moved forward, floating C-pillars and the EV9’s geometric forms. The design of both ideas, according to Kia’s design chief Karim Habib, is almost ready for production, though probably not with those coach doors.

The EV3 also makes use of recycled materials inside and has mood lighting. In order to accommodate both sitting rows, it also has little tables that can be moved forward and backward. Additionally, there is a V-to-L charging outlet inside for items like small electric bikes or scooters that may be transported in the second row due to the rear seat bottoms’ ability to fold upward.

Regarding the powertrains and battery capacities of the EV3, Kia has made no disclosures. It would probably be the most affordable Kia EV, with prices starting between $30,000 and $35,000. Although Kia stated state that it would be sold as a 2024 model, it did not specify which areas.

A four-door hatchback with crossover styling is the Kia Concept EV4.

The EV4, a four-door hatchback with a strikingly unusual appearance—sort of like a Tesla Cybertruck for the auto industry—was Kia’s final EV Day debut. It has an extended rear end, a low nose, a forward-moving windscreen, a broad stance and a roof spoiler. The geometric features and wider lower proportions from earlier EV vehicles are also incorporated, as well as some SUV elements like the higher seating position, black cladding on the lower body, and wheel flares. The design is divisive and in no way rivals the brand’s contemporary gas-powered sedans in terms of elegance.

Its interior has pin-style air vents with adjustable airflow patterns, digital screens for the instrument cluster and centre screen, and an air conditioning control panel that stores in the centre stack. While a Serenity mode employs computer visuals to produce a peaceful atmosphere, the Mind Modes feature modifies the room’s ambient lighting and ventilation patterns.

Similar to the Concept EV3, Kia did not specify the Concept EV4’s size or powertrain, despite the fact that it appears to have midsize car proportions.

According to Kia, it wants to sell 1 million electric vehicles worldwide by 2026 (or 25% of total sales), and 1.6 million by 2030 (or 37% of total sales). The business wants to increase the number of its global EV production facilities to eight by 2025, including battery joint ventures, and is trying to create a reliable system for EV production and battery supply in order to achieve this goal.

After Hyundai and Genesis approved NACS last week, Kia announced last week that it would switch to Tesla’s North American Charging Standard in the fourth quarter of 2024. Customers of Kia will now have access to 12,000 Tesla Superchargers thanks to the move. 30,000 fast-charging stations will be built across North America by 2030, according to a prior announcement by Kia that it is working with BMW, GM, Hyundai, Mercedes, Honda, and Stellantis.

In the first half of 2024, Kia will additionally introduce a new Kia App. Customers will be able to schedule test drives, study vehicles, and even complete contracts thanks to it. The app will have a routing feature that will recommend the optimal path depending on the battery level and nearby charging stations. Customers will also be able to check the app’s charging status.

Finally, Kia revealed that it intends to open EV stores in the United States, though no specific date was given. Kia refused to acknowledge that this included abandoning the dealer model and selling to customers directly, saying only that it is researching ways to bring the EV experience closer to customers.