The world of crossover electric SUVs is expanding rapidly, and consumers are excitedly looking over their choices for the days ahead. The Kia EV5 is officially due for release later this month, and the Electrek.com blogging team was on the scene with a few leaked images that depict this savvy new compact in the flesh, which you can view here. With the EV9 taking up the “largest” spot in the lineup and the EV6 poignantly poised in the middle, the EV5 will be the smallest in the group, proudly showcasing itself as Kia’s first dedicated electric car.
The EV5 also draws a great amount of influence from our new “opposites united” design mantra here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. Every Kia vehicle has been widely known for our signature “Tiger Nose” grille, and these leaked photos show a very futuristic Digital Tiger face prominently placed up front here. This innovative new electric SUV will ride on the revolutionary Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, which is also astutely situated under the Ioniq 5 and EV6.
Keeping the price point lower has been a focus of the past two years for automakers of all varieties, and following this trend has made a slight difference in the EV5’s architecture build. This model will savvily utilize a 400v system instead of an 800v makeup, which aids in keeping costs down. Even the base version will boost slightly more battery capacity than the V6, dutifully reaching upwards of 82 kWh. A model with longer capability is expected to hit the scene with over 372 miles of range, offering fill-up-worry-free value on long-range trips.
The official revealing is scheduled for Aug. 25, where it will be sure to dazzle audiences at the Chengdu Motor Show in China. The first few concept models look quite a bit like the prototypes had indicated, with the same front and rear headlights, overall shape, and design cues. The EV5 is expected to source power from a 214 hp electric motor, with 310 Nm peak torque and the energy conscious LFP battery. The rims spotted on the prototype were 18 or 19 inches, compared to the 21 inches that were on the previously seen study scouted in the wild earlier this year.
Even though some expert sources believe the EV5 will only be sold in China, the Car and Driver crew was fairly certain that it would find its way to the States. It’s important to note that the very real battle for SUV market share happens in the mid-size category: three-row SUVs are very convenient for extra passengers and cargo, but most families end up looking for two-row models. This means that the EV5 will be a very critical component in our head-to-head battle against the likes of the Chevy Blazer EV, the Volkswagen ID4, and a few other stiff competitors.
What is sure to be a new-age and proudly electric design has already been praised by the Carscoops team for its striking and muscular appearance, while they also loved the new digital tiger face design. Kia’s “Star Map” signature lighting technology is what takes up the space on the full-width LED light bar, and the roof has a visually very floating dynamic. Among the exciting updates anticipated for the EV5 are modern semi-autonomous drivers’ functions and more very cool front lighting configurations. We’d also expect to see a high-performance GT version down the line, appealing to those who love off-the-line charisma and appeal.
