Kia EV5 Electric SUV
Kia Corporation has recently unveiled three small to medium-sized electric SUVs named KIA EV5 and two concept models KIA EV3 AND KIA EV4 at the brand’s annual Kia EV Day in Korea. The event featured the debut of the Kia EV5, a compact electrical SUV designed for young families belonging to the millennial generation.
It is said that the Kia EV 5 is quite similar in appearance when compared to the larger model Kia EV9. Kia EV5 is the third battery electric vehicle which is built on the brand’s dedicated platform called E-GMP. The electric car features a form shaped by the brand’s unique design philosophy ‘Opposites United. The car is equipped with mind-blowing creativity, the best comfort, safety, and a high-powered performance to deliver a harmoniously balanced vehicle.
Here is all that you need to know about the electric vehicle Kia EV5:
DESIGN AND LOOKS
From the photos released by Kia during the event, we can see that the front of theSUV features a wide nose and a solid hood as well as Kia’s so-called three-dimensional “Signature Star Map Lighting” formed by LED daytime running lights. It looks like a perfect compact SUV designed to meet the requirements of millennial families. The Kia EV5 is built with 400-volt architecture, thereby cutting down the cost of the car and also the charging speed.
Here are some words by the Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center, Karim Habib, regarding the design and looks of the electric car,
“The Kia EV5 was created to redefine the compact SUV genre with a form shaped by Kia’s unique design philosophy ‘Opposites United. At every stage, Kia’s designers have worked closely with their engineering colleagues to create a holistic solution for sustainable mobility. As a result, the EV5 sets a new standard for design, performance, and practicality while providing new levels of driver enjoyment and user experience. “
SPECIFICATIONS
The EV5 will be built on the company’s special EV platform, E-GMP, which gives it a strong base for great performance contributing to the overall driving dynamics of the car. Production of EV5 will first take place in China and Korea, with access to three- variations: standard, long-range, and long-range AWD. Here are the specifications of all the three models :
Battery[Lfp] | Motor | Driving Range | |
Standard Model | 64kWh | 160kW | 530km per charge |
Long- range | 88kWh | 160kW | 720km per charge |
Long -range AWD | 88kWh | front-wheel 160kW motor and a rear-wheel 70kW motor. | 650km |
For Korea, the standard model will have a 58kWh battery and a 160kW front motor. The long-range model will feature an 81kWh battery and the same 160kW front motor. The long-range AWD model will include an extra 70kW rear motor, resulting in a combined power output of up to 225kW. Korean productions will see the EV5 built using Nickel Manganese Cobalt batteries or nmc packs at first, where as Chinese models will use Lfp batteries which will prove beneficial for long distance travels.
The EV5 battery has been engineered to function effectively throughout all four seasons, even in extreme hot and cold weather. An advanced heat pump system, an already popular feature of the EV6, has been incorporated into the EV5 to manage the battery’s temperature, ensuring consistent performance regardless of external conditions. Kia EV5 will also offer a regenerative braking system and an i-pedal system that will allow drivers to both slow down the car and accelerate it using a single pedal. This will minimize the issues of fatigue and will intensify the comfort of driving.
INTERIOR
The EV5 will have a five-seat interior with all high-end materials. The EV5 features an interior that completely reimagines the vehicle’s interior space. Drawing additional inspiration from the recently launched larger EV9 SUV, it offers an extensive interior space that is closer in concept and execution to a home lobby than a traditional car cabin.
In the photos released so far, we can see a high-priced dashboard with two large display screens, plus brown leather seats. The front seats have a captivating arrangement with a cushion in between the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The rear seats fold flat to expand the cargo area.
INFOTAINMENT AND CONNECTIVITY
The EV5 boasts a spacious and well-ventilated cabin that’s designed with a focus on modern technology and connectivity. It features the connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system and supports over-the-air software updates, ensuring the latest features and improvements are always at your fingertips. The Panoramic Wide Display, combining a 12.3-inch cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system, along with a 5-inch climate control display, provides drivers with comprehensive information for a convenient and mesmerizing driving experience. The brand’s Unified Graphical User Interface (GUI) simplifies navigation between audio-visual navigation, and telematics screens, improving information display consistency and usability for EV-specific functions. An optional windshield HUD (Head Up Display) enhances the seamless flow of information, while the minimal use of physical buttons smoothens control and functionality.
Read More: Kia Electric Pickup Truck Price, Range and Specifications
Within the cabin, a user-friendly design keeps physical buttons to a minimum. Four hidden hard keys beneath the central AVNT screen provide essential functions like start/stop, AVNT control, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). This efficient design replaces the need for 17 buttons previously required to control these systems. Furthermore, the three-zone climate control system ensures personalized comfort for the driver, front passenger, and second-row people, and an after-blow feature minimizes air conditioner odors, creating a pleasant cabin environment for all passengers.
Last but not least, we can say that Kia has made sure that the interior of the car caters to all the needs and requirements of all the individuals. With the use of modern technology and features, it would not be wrong to say that the Kia EV5 will be one of the best electric compact SUVs ever designed by Kia.
SAFETY FEATURES
The EV5 is equipped with seven airbags in total. In addition to the advanced seatbelt technology, its structure is engineered for optimum strength. Naturally, it is offered with the brand’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and a range of active safety. The model comes with Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), which helps drivers maintain distance, stay centered in the lane, change lanes, and adjust lateral positioning.
Here are some more important safety features in Kia EV5
Feature | Description |
---|---|
Smart Key | Kia Digital Key 2 smart key with remote control capabilities. |
Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) | Allows the SUV to independently park itself, both while entering and exiting parking spaces. |
Remote Forward and Reverse | Provides remote control for moving the vehicle forward and backward, which is useful in tight spaces. |
Ultrasonic Sensors | Utilizes ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles in the vehicle’s path. |
Autonomous Parking | Automatically controls accelerator, brakes, and gearshift during parking obstacles. |
Obstacle Detection | Automatically applies brakes if an obstacle is detected in the vehicle’s path. |
Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | Prevents collisions when reversing by detecting oncoming vehicles. |
VARIED SEATING SETUPS
The EV5 offers a choice of seats featuring eco-friendly recycled PET fabric and Bio-PU leather coverings, ensuring an eco-conscious yet highly comfortable interior. These seats are designed with adjustability to prevent back and spine discomfort, with some even offering a massage function at different intensities for added relaxation. Safety is a priority with model’s safety seats, equipped with three airbags and a four-way adjustable headrest.
In the front, bench-type seats, available in the Chinese market, provide a cozy space complemented by mood lighting. The center cabinet adds practicality with a built-in table and storage. Families can transform the rear of the vehicle into a comfortable space with the 0-degree, full-flat folding second-row camping seat. The rear console refrigerator/warmer enhances convenience, offering food warming and beverage cooling functions. Additionally, the EV5 includes a versatile Multi Table luggage board, which easily transforms into a table for various needs, making it an ideal choice for a comfortable and enjoyable experience for millennial families on the road and at their destination.
EXPECTED PRICE
With no confirmed prices, Kia has hinted that it wants the EV3, EV4 and EV5 to be priced from $35,000 to $50,000 (£28,500 to £41,000). With the EV5 likely to be the biggest of those models, which means it is likely to start from around £40,000. Information on the exact pricing of Kia EV5 is still limited.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Kia EV5 is expected to come to Australia in the end of 2024 and in the Indian Market by 2025 but nothing is yet confirmed. Kia EV5 is already in production in China and we can expect the launch sooner. The Korean production is expected to start only in 2025. There are also speculations going around that Kia EV5 will come to UK in 2025, directly competing Kia Sportage but again we all have to wait until the company gives confirm launch details of the car in the international market.