WHAT IT IS: Kia has a multistage strategy for capturing a large slice of the EV market across several tiers, and the Kia EV5 SUV is the next step in the automaker’s master plan. The company revealed the EV5 concept in March with the promise of being the brand’s next “true” electrified SUV. It will be less sporty than the performance flagship EV6 and not as massive as the upcoming EV9 three-row SUV.
WHY IT MATTERS: The real battle for SUV market share happens in the midsize category—three-row SUVs are great for cargo and extra passengers, but most families opt for two-row models. This means the EV5 is critical in Kia’s battle against the likes of Tesla’s Model Y, Chevrolet’s Blazer EV, Volkswagen’s ID4, and other contenders.
PLATFORM AND POWERTRAIN: Like the EV6 and EV9, the EV5 will be built on the E-GMP platform Kia shares with Hyundai. Thanks to its modular design, the platform will be adapted for the EV5’s intended footprint. We expect the EV5 to use the same 76.1-kW battery that will come standard in the EV9, and it should make its debut with a single motor that will produce roughly 215 hp.
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