South Korean auto manufacturer Kia has long been known for high-quality cars at affordable prices. But did you know they were also among the first companies to invest in roadworthy electric vehicles?
A lot has changed since 2008, when the Kia Soul EV came out. Recently, the company unveiled its latest lineup of EVs to look for over the next few years. Below, we’ll take a look at everything there is to know about the Kia EV3 and EV4 concept cars and the all-new EV5 production EV, from release dates to features and everything in between. Let’s get started.
The Kia EV5 is the successor to Kia’s EV6 and EV9, and like them, it’s built on a version of Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. Kia has announced three different models of the EV5:
In terms of size, all three models will clock in at around 182 inches in length and 67.5 inches in height – slightly shorter than the Kia EV6, but slightly taller, too. Otherwise, the EV5 will follow many of the EV9’s design cues, with LED exterior lights and a similar blocky appearance.
One of the distinguishing features of the new vehicles is their lower capacity. Whereas more recent Kia EVs have come with a fast charging-capable 800v system, the EV5 will have a 400v capacity, meaning less efficiency, but hopefully a lower price.
The Kia EV5 comes with a wide range of standard and optional features to make the journey smoother. In addition to three-zone climate control, the standard EV5 will come with a heat pump for ultra-efficient, eco-friendly comfort. Infotainment and dashboard functions can be controlled from two 12.3-inch touchscreens, with a separate 5-inch display for climate control. Also included is Kia’s i-Pedal system, offering drivers the option for one-pedal driving and efficient regenerative braking.
Kia has also incorporated a range of smart features in the new model, such as in-vehicle AI capability and a smartphone app with an “e-routing” function to help drivers select the best route with the most charging stations along the way.
So far, Kia has only announced plans to release the EV5 in South Korea, China, Canada, and Mexico. Drivers in these countries can expect to see the first cars on the road sometime in 2025. However, it’s doubtful the EV5 will ever reach the United States, in part due to the more complicated requirements and lower profit margins brought on by the Inflation Reduction Act, which changed the way EV production is incentivized.
The other two vehicles in Kia’s new range, the EV3 and EV4, are concepts introduced in October 2023. Kia hasn’t announced a launch date or pricing for the production version of either vehicle yet, but the fact that they’ve reached the concept stage is a strong sign that they’ll have a standard release. Here’s what we know so far.
The EV3 is Kia’s concept for a compact electric crossover-utility vehicle (CUV), essentially a smaller version of the Kia EV9. While that means less interior room and possibly fewer features, it also comes with a lower price of around $35,000. As for design, the EV3 concept appears to have a lot in common with its predecessors, but some features, like the reverse-hinged rear doors, may not make it to the production version.
Despite the resemblance to a CUV, Kia calls the EV4 concept a sedan, complete with a spacious interior and four doors. The company hasn’t released any details about the drivetrain yet, however, so whether the EV4 will have an 800v system capable of fast charging or the more economical 400v of the EV5 remains to be seen.
Kia’s new EVs seem to hold a lot in store, but it remains to be seen whether, and when, these EVs will make their way to the United States. Until then, Join the Charge! Sign up for our E-Newsletter and follow evee Life on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on EV technology.
Published November 27, 2023 3:36PM
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