The production version of the 2024 Kia EV5 has officially debuted at the brand’s annual Electric Vehicle Day (EV Day). During the event, it was showcased alongside the Kia Concept EV4 and the Kia Concept EV3.
2024 Kia EV5
The EV4 and EV3 concept cars will preview the brand’s future steps for its EV lineup. The EV4 is an electric-powered sedan with a striking design, while the EV3 is a smaller version of the mid-size Kia EV9 revealed in March 2023.
The EV5 meanwhile, will be released for the South Korean and Chinese markets. It was initially previewed a few months ago, but now Kia has released more information about the vehicle providing a clearer picture of what buyers can expect from the all-new EV.
The 2023 Kia EV Day lineup
Exterior
On the outside, the 2024 Kia EV5 is a sleek-looking compact crossover sporting the brand’s Digital Tiger Nose grille design. Its front end is closed off, but its lower front bumper portions come with a vent decorated by in-ward slanting vertical slats.
Its main lighting element is an LED cluster tucked on either side of the vehicle’s front. The latter is then surrounded by angular LED daytime running lamps that wrap around the entire front width of the vehicle outlining the edges of its muscular-looking hood.
EV5 from the side
Over to the side, it gets black plastic claddings which is typical of crossovers. However, its door portions are mostly smooth, with character lines being kept to a minimum. From this angle, one can also see that it gets a pair of roof rails and a set of 18- or 19-inch wheels depending on the variant.
The rear meanwhile, looks toned down compared to the rest of the vehicle, but it does get an eye-catching “J-shaped” LED taillight strip. Its tailgate also gets a triangular shape, while its rear lower bumper is an angular black and silver piece without many nooks and crannies.
It's rear looks more toned down compared to its front end
Interior
Step inside the EV5 and you’ll find space for up to five occupants. All inside are kept cool by a digital triple-zone automatic climate control system, and all seats and most surfaces are clad in leather made from plants or recycled Polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PET).
For the cockpit, minimal buttons are used and most of the controls are integrated into the vehicle's central touchscreen. The latter is seamlessly linked to a digital gauge cluster, and together, they mostly dominate the sloping dashboard.
The EV5's cockpit.
Interestingly, the Chinese-spec version is getting a “bench-type” front seat. This isn’t a real bench seat mind you, but instead, the passenger front seat is extended towards the left to cover where the center console should be. The Korean market version, however, will come with a traditional armrest-style center console with an integrated table and storage bin.
Another interesting trick of the EV5’s interior is its second row’s ability to fold flat. This is useful for glamping. Furthermore, the rear also features a 4.0-liter refrigerator or warmer which can keep beverages cool, or keep your dinner heated up.
Do you like the idea of going on adventures aboard the EV5?
Other features found inside the EV5 are adjustable headrests, a front cabin footrest, and a massage function for the front seats. The Korean marque didn’t say how spacious its trunk is, but this portion gets a luggage divider that can function as a table when needed.
Tech & Safety
Sitting on the center of the EV5’s dashboard is a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The brand didn’t specify it, but is expected to come standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A wireless smartphone charging pad and USB type C ports are likewise present on the new EV.
The large center touchscreen is seamlessly combined with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster. This screen can display useful driving information like the vehicle’s range, and the status of its advanced safety equipment, among others.
Together with the central touchscreen, the digital gauge cluster forms a panoramic wide display. Both use the brand’s Unified Graphical User Interface which is touted to make information easier to read, and menus easier to navigate.
Another look at the EV5's front cabin
The EV5’s infotainment likewise supports over-the-air updates, and a widescreen heads-up display is available as an option.
Crash safety aboard the EV5 is handled by a total of seven airbags, and the usual set of safety features one would expect from a modern vehicle. Those are then supported by an advanced driver assist suite (ADAS) with adaptive cruise control, lane center assist, lane change assist, and rear-cross traffic collision avoidance, among others.
The vehicle also gets an automated parking system system. This gives the EV the ability to park itself with or without the driver on board. It also gets a remote forward and reverse function controlled via Kia’s Digital Key 2 smartphone application.
Powertrain
For propulsion, the EV5 has three options for the Chinese market. There’s a front-wheel-drive (FWD) single-motor base model with a 64 kWh battery, a mid-spec lone-range FWD version with an 88 kWh battery, and a dual-motor long-range all-wheel-drive (AWD) version that also gets an 88 kWh battery.
The EV5's mid-spec variant has an impressive range of 720 km.
At maximum, the FWD single motor base model can churn out 212 horsepower and a range of 530 kilometers. The mid-spec model has the same output as the base model, but it offers more range at 720 km. The top-spec AWD dual-motor variant meanwhile, can generate 303 horsepower while offering a range of 650 km. Of note, these EV range figures are based on the China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC) standards.
Underpinning the EV5 is the new 400-volt version of the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP). This sets it apart from the Hyundai Ioniq lineup, the Kia EV6, and the Kia EV9 which all utilize an 800-volt version of the E-GMP. This means that the EV5 has a slower charge rate of 30 percent to 80 percent battery level at around 27 minutes.
It is underpinned by the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP)
As a point of comparison, the locally available Kia EV6 can charge from 10 percent to 100 percent in just 18 minutes if using an 800-volt ultra high-speed charger.
Lastly, the EV5 gets a vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) feature for its EV powertrain. The V2L feature means that the EV may be used to power external electronic devices like a camping stove, a spotlight, speakers, etc. The V2G meanwhile, enables the vehicle to share its power with the community grid provided that the necessary infrastructure is present.
Price
As of its reveal, Kia is yet to share pricing details for the 2024 Kia EV5. Multiple reports, however, say that it could start at around $40,000, which is around Php 2.272 million at current exchange rates.
Kia EV4 Concept
One of the concepts revealed by Kia during its EV day event is the EV4. It assumes a four-door sedan form with a wide stance.
EV4 Concept
From the front, it gets a distinctive hood paired with an edgy-looking front bumper. Further enhancing the look of its front end are a pair of striking vertically aligned LED daytime running lamps.
Its side portion meanwhile, features a slanting window line and roof line which tapers towards the angular rear end. The rear gets vertical taillights, a ducktail spoiler, and a long rear window covering most of the fastback-like trunk door.
Check out the EV4's rear end
Inside, the EV4 gets a panoramic touchscreen display arrangement similar to the EV5. Its curved dash, however, looks more compact. Most of the surfaces meanwhile, are clad in fabric instead of leather. It also features a closed-yoke-type steering wheel. Overall, it gives off a minimalist vibe thanks to its retracting climate controls and its pin-style air vents.
The key interior feature of the EV4 is what the brand calls “Mind Modes.” Each of these modes adjusts ambient lighting and animated ventilation patterns.
Inside the EV4 concept
These modes set the mood appropriate for a driving activity. The “perform” mode, for instance, gives plenty of information for a multi-tasking user. “Serenity” mode, in turn, offers a relaxed atmosphere conducive to reflection.
Kia EV3 Concept
The other concept revealed by Kia is the EV3. It is a small crossover comparable in size to the Kia Seltos. Style-wise though, it looks like a miniaturized version of the larger EV9. That said, it gets the same assertive front fascia with a hefty-looking lower front bumper.
The EV3 Concept looks like the shrunken version of the EV9
On the sides of this concept are black plastic claddings that accentuate its squared-off wheel arches. This goes well with the high-riding stance, which gives off an adventure-ready look.
The EV3’s exterior appearance is then wrapped up by its rear end. This section gets a pair of Y-shaped LED taillights, a roof-mounted spoiler, and a mostly flat trunk door.
EV3 Concept from the rear
Step inside the EV3 concept and one will see that it looks similar to the interior of the EV4 sedan concept. It is likewise minimalist in design with similar fabric-clad surfaces. It also gets a panoramic screen setup and a closed yoke-type wheel.
Compared to the sedan though, the EV3 appears to have more interior space. It uses this abundance of space by featuring foldable mini tables, a folding bench-type rear seat, and a roomy trunk.
Inside the EV3 Concept
Like the EV4, there were no mechanical details shared for the EV3 crossover. For that, we’ll have to wait for more details from Kia, so keep it here on Philkotse for more updates.