Kia appears to be fast-tracking the latest addition to its EV lineup, as it has already revealed the production version of the EV5 concept car from this spring. The real thing looks remarkably similar to the concept on the outside, and its interior features interesting design touches and looks to offer plenty of space thanks to the electric SUV's tall, boxy silhouette.
With hard edges on the bodysides and angular lighting elements, the family resemblance between the two-row EV5 and the three-row Kia EV9 is clear. Kia says that it's a compact SUV, meaning it will likely compete against vehicles such as the Toyota bZ4X and Volkswagen ID.4. While the wheels are a bit smaller and the trim pieces are toned down, the EV5 otherwise hasn't changed much compared with the concept car; the highly modern headlights and taillights with LED accent strips, for instance, are pretty much identical.
The interior of the production EV5 has changed a fair amount compared with the concept's lounge-like cabin with swiveling seats, but still appears to incorporate some distinctive design touches. The steering-wheel shape looks fresh, the dashboard looks wide and expansive, and two large screens serve as the digital gauge cluster and the central infotainment display. The front seats incorporate a bench-like layout, although we don't see a third seatbelt on the cushion in between the driver and passenger's perches, so it's not likely to offer six-passenger capacity.
Kia has yet to release any specifications for the EV5, but we expect it to offer similar powertrain setups as the EV6. That model, which is based on Hyundai-Kia's E-GMP platform, offers single- and dual-motor configurations ranging from 225 hp up to 577 hp, with a 77.4-kWh battery pack.
Look for more information to come about the EV5 later this year, as it's scheduled to go on sale in China within the next few months. Kia says it will reveal more about its plans for this new model—and likely other future electric models—in October at an EV Day event.
Source: Car and Driver