Kia Unveils EV5 Along With EV3 & EV4 Concept Vehicle

Kia Corporation has tunveiled three new small- to medium-sized electric models at the brand’s annual Kia EV Day in Korea. During the event, the brand presented its vision of ‘EVs for all’ and strategy to expand its EV model line-up significantly and rapidly.

The presentation featured the debut of the EV5, a compact electric SUV for millennial families, as well as the introduction of two concept models. The Kia Concept EV3 aims to deliver the Kia EV9's benefits in a compact SUV, while the Kia Concept EV4 reimagines electric sedans with a new design. In addition to unveiling the lineup, the event showcased Kia's EV strategy, aimed at improving customer convenience, reliability, and addressing common concerns, including charging infrastructure.

“Kia is keenly focused on providing solutions to the concerns that continue to cause hesitation when it comes to making an EV purchase. We will meet customer expectations by offering a full line-up of EVs at various price points and improve charging infrastructure availability,” Ho Sung Song, President and CEO, said.

The brand has also unveiled plans to improve various customer experience offerings. This includes streamlining different functions into a smartphone application, introducing new services at their physical locations, and providing customers with in-vehicle artificial intelligence (AI) services.

The company's goal is to achieve an annual sales target of one million electric vehicles by 2026 and increase it to 1.6 million units per year by 2030, driven by the products and initiatives revealed today.

Kia is also planning to develop a wide-ranging EV line-up priced from $30,000 to $80,000, featuring existing models such as the EV6 and EV9, as well as future offerings tailored for the popular B- and C-segments. The brand aims to introduce smaller EVs like the EV5, EV4, and EV3, with prices ranging from $35,000 to $50,000.

In emerging markets with slower EV adoption rates, the initial launch will focus on the EV6 and EV9, with subsequent releases of models including the EV5, EV4, and EV3.

Efforts are underway to establish a reliable system for EV production and battery supply, with the brand’s goal of expanding its global EV production facilities to a total of eight by 2025. These facilities will encompass research, development, production, and supply, with Korea serving as the central hub. In Europe, it will focus on the production of small and medium-sized EVs, while in China, the emphasis will be on mid to large-sized EVs. Strategically designed EV models tailored for emerging markets will be produced in India. Kia also plans to introduce a range of EV models in North America, in response to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Furthermore, the brand is actively establishing battery joint ventures to ensure a stable global battery supply system in sync with its global EV production network.

Kia EV5 SUV

The Kia EV5, the third dedicated BEV in its line-up, is built on the brand’s dedicated EV platform, E-GMP. The EV5 features an interior that completely reimagines the vehicle’s interior space. Drawing additional inspiration from the recently launched larger EV9 SUV, it offers an extensive interior space that is closer in concept and execution to a home lounge than a traditional car cabin.

Production of the EV5 will take place in both China and Korea, and the Chinese market will have access to three variations: standard, long-range, and long-range AWD.

The standard model, equipped with a 64kWh battery pack and a 160kW motor, is expected to have a driving range of 530km per charge according to the Combined Charging and Load Cycle (CLTC) standards. The long-range model, featuring an 88kWh battery and the same 160kW motor, aims to achieve a range of 720km per charge. The long-range AWD model will feature an 88kWh battery pack and a combined output of 230kW, with a front-wheel 160kW motor and a rear-wheel 70kW motor. With AWD model, Kia is targeting a driving range of 650km based on the CLTC standards. Additionally, the model offers fast-charging capability, allowing the battery to be charged from 30 to 80 per cent capacity in around 27 minutes.

For Korea, all variants of the EV5 models, including standard, long-range, and long-range AWD versions, are in development, with potential adjustments being considered. The standard model will have a 58kWh battery and a 160kW front motor. The long-range model will feature an 81kWh battery and the same 160kW front motor. The long-range AWD model will include an extra 70kW rear motor, resulting in a combined power output of up to 225kW. The driving range of each model will be tailored to meet market demands.

It will offer regenerative braking system and an i-Pedal system that allows drivers to both slow down and accelerate using a single pedal.

The EV5’s cabin is equipped with the connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system and supports over-the-air software updates. It incorporates a Panoramic Wide Display, which combines a 12.3-inch cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system, along with a 5-inch climate control display. 

The brand’s new Unified Graphical User Interface (GUI) is applied between the audio-visual, navigation, and telematics (AVNT) screens, and the CDU ensures enhanced information display consistency. . This flow of information is further augmented by an optional windshield HUD (Head Up Display).

Throughout the cabin, physical buttons are kept to a minimum. Beneath the central AVNT screen, four hidden hard keys provide a start/stop function along with AVNT and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) control; previously, these systems would have required 17 buttons to control.

The three-zone climate control system enables individual control for the driver, front passenger, and second-row occupants, while an after-blow feature reduces air conditioner odors.

The EV5 is equipped with seven airbags in total. In addition to the state-of-the-art seatbelt technology, its structure is engineered for optimum strength. Naturally, it is offered with the brand’s latest Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and a range of active safety.

The model comes with Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), which helps drivers maintain distance, stay centered in the lane, change lanes, and adjust lateral positioning.

With a simple touch of the Kia Digital Key 2 smart key, customers can activate the vehicle’s Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2) system. This technology enables the SUV to park itself without the need for driver intervention, whether in or out of the vehicle. Also, the smart exit function and a remote forward and reverse function provides drivers with added peace of mind when navigating tight parking spaces.

Using ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles, the RSPA 2 automatically maneuvers the vehicle into the designated parking space, controlling the accelerator, brakes, and gearshift. The system also automatically applies the brakes if an object representing an obstruction is detected in its path. It also features Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) to prevent collisions with oncoming vehicles when reversing.

To enhance energy utilisation, EV5 features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functions. With V2L, the high-voltage battery can supply power to external electronic devices. Kia will concentrate on rolling out V2G in regions where the necessary infrastructure exists, enabling surplus battery energy to be shared with the grid.

At the front of the vehicle, bench-type seats (Chinese market only) are combined with mood lighting,

The EV5 will also be available in a GT, offer further performance features and engaged driving experience. More information regarding the EV5 GT trim will be revealed later.

Kia Concept EV3

The Concept EV3 represents the brand’s vision for an electric compact CUV. It offers users the technology, practicality and design of Kia’s flagship SUV, EV9, in a compact and accessible form. 

The design treatment of the cabin, with the windscreen pushed forward and the long sloping roofline, creates a unique silhouette. The robust architecture of the squared wheel arches, cut with asymmetrical angles, results in an unexpected logic and a strong impression. This, in turn, is contrasted by the wrap-around windscreen and disconnected C pillar, which link the glasshouse surfaces and give the roof a floating effect.

Concept EV3's cabin is enhanced by soft mood lighting, the compelling, ultra-clean shape and surface of the dashboard. The folding bench-type rear seat can be folded upward, allowing for storing bulky luggage such as electric scooters and bicycles.

Kia Concept EV4

The Concept EV4's four-door format might suggest it should be categorised as a sedan. However, the model's potent and impactful lines represent not just another sedan, but an entirely new type of EV sedan.

The Concept EV4 evocatives sleek low nose, the elongated, dynamic long-tail silhouette, and the technical roof spoiler, all attributes reminiscent of sports and racing cars.

An aggressive facial impression complements the Concept EV4’s progressive, technological silhouette with headlamps located vertically at the extreme outer edges of the hood and front bumper.

The interior features a sleek and spacious horizontal layout. To achieve this, Kia designers have placed an air conditioning control panel that can be neatly stored in the center console when not in use and applied pin-style air vents that offer the flexibility to change patterns, among other refinements to the interior design.

The cocoon-like ambience of the cabin enables the driver to engage with the vehicle in a new and unobtrusive way. Presented via twin digital screens, a slimmed-down instrument panel delivers subtle levels of driver orientation.

The Concept EV4 comes with a new 'Mind Modes' feature that adjusts ambient lighting and animated ventilation patterns. In ‘Perform’ mode, the driver is presented with all the information they require to perform at their optimum and get the most out of their day. In contrast, ‘Serenity’ mode offers a range of digital graphics to create a more relaxed ambience for reflection and restoration.

Charging Infrastructure

In North America, Kia will adopt the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for their EVs starting from the fourth quarter of 2024. This move will grant Kia customers access to approximately 12,000 Tesla Superchargers.

As part of a coalition of six OEM groups, Kia is working to build 30,000 fast-charging stations across North America by 2030 to address charging accessibility concerns. In Europe, it has collaborated with four OEM groups to create IONITY, installing 2,800 fast-charging stations along key highways. The aim is to have a total of 7,000 operational stations by 2025, providing efficient charging options for the brand’s EV owners.

Kia also aims to enhance offline customer experiences to highlight the advantages of EV models, with existing efforts like the 'Digital City Store' and 'EV Unplugged Ground' in Korea, as well as the 'City Store' located outside Korea. Future plans to establish exclusive EV stores in the United States, Europe, China, and India.

Generative AI technology will debut in the 2024 EV3 model, with subsequent integration into the EV4 and EV5, and continuous enhancements via over-the-air updates.