The latest addition to Kia’s growing range of EVs adopts the brand’s Opposites United design philosophy
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- The EV3 will be underpinned by the familiar E-GMP platform but have a 400-volt architecture.
- Kia is expected to offer the EV3 with 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs.
- The launch of the EV3 will be followed by the EV4 sedan in 2025.
It’s only been six months since the Kia EV3 SUV Concept was showcased and already, Kia has teased the upcoming production-ready version of its first compact electric SUV.
Much like the EV9 and EV5 that came before it, the EV5 will look almost identical to the concept that previewed it. A trio of teasers released by Kia reveals the EV5 will have similarly aggressive LED taillights as its siblings but have a slightly less upright rear fascia and an angled rear window. These lights were previewed with the EV5 Concept and are almost unchanged for the production model, although they are now slightly thicker.
Read: This Is Everything We Know About The $30,000 Kia EV3
One of the teasers published by Kia also shows the EV5 from the front. It showcases an angular headlight with a twisting T-shaped LED daytime running light, like the concept. Heck, the production model even wears the same shade of light green as the concept. Kia says the EV5 has the same ‘Opposites United’ design language as the rest of its models.
The global premiere for the new Kia EV5 has been penciled in for May 23 and will be livestreamed on YouTube. Sales will start later in the year.
While the exterior of the SUV is almost identical to the concept, more significant changes can be expected in the cabin. Whereas the concept had an oval-shaped steering wheel, we think the production model will have a more traditional wheel, perhaps with a flat bottom. The dashboard should also include some physical buttons that were missing from the concept, as well as more traditional air vents, pedals, and door panels.
Underpinning the EV5 will be the familiar E-GMP platform from the Hyundai Motor Group. Interestingly, it will eschew the pricey 800-volt architecture of the EV6 and EV9 in favor of a 400-volt system. Both 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs are expected. Entry-level models should be sold with a single electric motor and there’s a chance higher-end versions will be available with twin motors.
The Kia EV5 could be priced from as little as $32,000 when it goes on sale in the U.S.
