More details on the Kia EV5 were revealed during the company’s first annual EV Day, with confirmation of powertrain specifics, and that the mid-sized SUV will be appearing in markets outside of China. The Korean automaker also revealed that a hot EV5 GT is on the horizon too. First shown to the public at the Chengdu Motor Show in China in August, the EV5 is the third offering in Kia’s all-electric lineup.
It sits below the
EV6 and borrows heavily styling-wise from its bigger brother, the EV9. The EV5
will initially be offered in China, with a global rollout later on. The
Chinese-market EV5 will be produced domestically and will be available to
customers in three variations: Standard, Long-Range, and Long-Range AWD. The
global model, produced in Korea, will also get the same variation titles, but
with differing specifications.
In China, the Standard model will have a
64 kWh battery pack coupled with a 160 kW (218 PS) motor to deliver a
range of 530 km on the optimistic China Light-Duty Vehicle Test
Cycle. The Standard model for global markets will feature a smaller 58 kWh
battery, but will also have the same 160 kW (218 PS) motor driving the
front wheels. The 160 kW (218 PS) motor also features on both Chinese
and global market long-range models of the EV5 too, the only difference being
battery size. Chinese consumers will get an 88 kWh battery for a CLTC range of
720 km. The rest of the world makes do with a slightly smaller 81
kWh battery pack, with range estimates to be announced later.
For both Chinese- and Korean-built EV5s,
the Long Range AWD EV5 will add a secondary 70 kW (95 PS) motor to
drive the rear axle. However, the Chinese model has a combined output of 5kW
(6.8 PS) greater than the rest of the world, with 230 kW (313 PS) quoted, versus the 225 kW (306 PS) of the global model. Kia also
mentions that the China-made EV5 will have the ability to DC fast charge from
30 to 80 percent in 27 minutes. All EV5s will feature a heat pump as found in
the EV6, while so-called one-pedal driving can be achieved with Kia’s i-Pedal
system.
Inside, the 2025 Kia EV5 will
feature the brand’s latest interface applied to all screens for seamless
connectivity. Two 12.3-inch screens take care of the cluster and infotainment
system, while a separate 5.0-inch climate control display is also present. A
hot “GT” version of the Kia EV5 is also in the works, although Kia did not
confirm a timeframe for release, nor did it hint at specs or market
availability.


