The Kia EV5 is going global.
Having revealed the mid-sized electric SUV in concept form with a focus on the Chinese market, the head of global product planning for Kia, Hyungsik Park, confirmed the car will be built in left- and right-hand drive for global markets.
It’s not yet clear if it’ll come Down Under, although Kia Australia says it’s keen for the car if it is made available.
The senior executive also confirmed the electric SUV will measure around 4700mm long, making it a very similar size to the 4660mm-long Sportage SUV currently on sale in Australia.
It it comes Down Under, the EV5 will compete with a growing pool of electric SUVs – led by the best-selling Tesla Model Y.
As is the case with other Hyundai and Kia electric cars, the concept appears to have a longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs than the equivalent petrol or diesel car, which helps free up more space for passengers inside.
The EV6, for example, has a 2900mm wheelbase identical to a Hyundai Palisade, but is a similar size to a Sportage on the outside.
Under the skin, the EV5 will ride on a new platform designed for more affordable electric cars rather than the e-GMP platform currently underpinning the EV6 and EV9.
It’s not clear if it’ll be a standalone architecture, or a variation of the recently announced Integrated Modular Architecture.
It will be a lower-voltage (500V) platform, which suggests it won’t be able to hit the same charging speeds (350kW claimed, 230kW in the real world) as cars built on the 800V e-GMP platform.
The IMA will offer the choice of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NCM) batteries.
Kia has previously confirmed it plans to reveal 14 new electric cars between now and 2027.
Given the EV6 and EV9 are built on the E-GMP platform, and the EV5 will ride on the lower-voltage platform aimed at more affordable vehicles, it’s likely models sitting below the EV5 will also feature the 500V architecture.
Previously, Kia has confirmed it’s working on more affordable electric cars to slot into the segments where it’s currently strong.
Autocar reports word from Kia Europe marketing chief David Hilbert that the brand will “have coverage in all major segments”, including passenger cars.
“All the major segments will be covered in some form [by 2027],” he said.
Mr Hilbert specifically mentioned the B-SUV segment in Europe and how it is now the largest segment there. It currently fields the petrol-powered Stonic, but doesn’t have a rival to similarly sized electric SUVs like the Peugeot e-2008 and Jeep Avenger.
Such a model could reportedly wear the EV3 name, and Kia has hinted it could offer everything from an EV1 all the way up to the previously revealed EV9.
In 2021, Kia teased a range of upcoming EVs including a coupe, sedan, and what looked like a light hatchback.
