New 2023 Kia EV5 SUV joins brand’s all-electric lineup

Kia introduces its new all-electric EV5 family SUV with a focus on comfort, space and practicality

The all-new Kia EV5 electric SUV has been revealed at the 2023 Chengdu Motor Show in China. The sharply-styled EV5 joins the EV6 and EV9 as the third electric SUV in the Korean manufacturer’s lineup, targeting family buyers with an emphasis on comfort and usability.

In terms of shape, the five-seater EV5 takes after the larger EV9, although will effectively offer up a more practical experience than the lower-slung and sleeker EV6.

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We saw a near-production ready concept EV5 earlier in the year, and Kia has clearly followed through with its plans to evolve its ‘Opposites United’ design language – with the EV5 sharing its larger sibling’s more aggressive ‘Tiger Face’ front end.

Offering a traditional two-box SUV profile, the chunky EV5 has a wide stance and broad shoulder line, while Kia says the pushed-back D-pillars highlight the EV5’s “family-friendly practicality”, providing more rear seat and boot space while helping to increase visibility. An extended rear spoiler is also said to improve aerodynamic efficiency. 

“The Kia EV5 was created to redefine the compact SUV genre with a form shaped by Kia’s unique design philosophy ‘Opposites United,’” said Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center. “At every stage, Kia’s designers have worked closely with their engineering colleagues to create a holistic solution for sustainable mobility. As a result, the EV5 sets a new standard for design, performance and practicality while providing new levels of driver enjoyment and user experience.” 

Additional exterior features for the EV5 include three-dimensional ‘Signature Star Map Lighting’, formed by the daytime running lights (DRL), while Kia is offering a choice of ten different paint colours for customers to choose from.

The interior design of the EV5 has been swayed by Kia’s own research findings that “millennial households now regard the interior of their EV SUV not just as a place to sit safely and comfortably when travelling from A to B, but as an additional ‘room’ to live their life in.”

While the concept’s swivel seats haven’t made the final cut, Kia says the EV5 will offer more interior space than any traditional mid-size SUV, while the infotainment and overall cabin look again appears to take inspiration from the EV9, with a choice of various trim colours and materials.

Variable mood lighting is offered across the front section of the dash as well as the front and rear door trims, with a total of 64 colour options. The lighting system is also able to synchronise with the EV5’s drive modes, by dimming in low light conditions, and alerting the driver if the speed limit is exceeded.

Technical specifications have yet to be released, but we can safely assume that the car will be underpinned by the 800-volt electrified E-GMP platform used under a growing number of bespoke, all-electric Kias and Hyundais. A maximum battery size of 77kWh would give the production model a range in excess of 300 miles.

The EV5 will initially be launched in China later this year, while a decision as to whether the EV5 will be coming to the UK could be revealed at Kia’s EV Day event scheduled for October.

Click here for our list of the best electric SUVs on sale in the UK right now…

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