Kia just revealed Electric SUV EV9 2024 in production-ready form, but the automaker on Monday unveiled a smaller electric SUV concept.
Called the EV5, the concept previews an “initial production model for the Chinese market later this year,” according to Kia. Note the use of the word “original”, suggesting that the EV5 will eventually arrive in other markets.
The EV5 concept has a similar boxy design theme to the EV9 and also borrows from the larger SUV’s swivel seats, but with a smaller footprint than the three-row EV9, which is expected to go on sale in the US later this year.
Concept Kia EV5
This new concept also adds a full length panoramic sunroof with integrated solar panels. Kia also claims the interior is made with a significant amount of sustainable materials, including the use of materials like seaweed extract and recycled plastic bottles to decorate the seats, ceiling, doors and dashboard lining. control.
No technical details have been provided. Kia’s press documents don’t even mention the E-GMP platform used by the EV9 and EV6, nor the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 and Genesis GV60. That suggests the EV5 could be based on a new EV platform for the smaller and more affordable vehicles that parent company Hyundai has previously suggested.
Concept Kia EV5
The EV5 name indicates a model positioned below the EV6, presumably an all-electric alternative. to Sportage, offered as hybrid and plug-in hybrid. There seems to be room for such a model in Kia’s current US lineup.
Niro EV Currently the smaller Kia EV is offered for the US market, but its price and placement don’t match the much cheaper Chevy Bolt EV or the slightly more expensive EV6 and that whole competing suite. Kia decided not to sell the second generation EV’s soul in the United States—a model that could be much more easily flanked by this EV5.
