Some new EVs make their debut in China before heading to the United States and the new Kia EV5 is one of those vehicles.
Kia is absolutely dominating the electric vehicle market with several different options offered recently. From the EV6 to the upcoming EV9, the Kia electric models are hitting the market in droves and giving the rest of the EV world fits. The latest Kia EV should arrive in China later this year before heading to the North American market in 2025. The new EV5 gives us an idea of what Kia wants to do with its future all-electric lineup.
Size isn’t the determining factor of name
The new EV5 concept was shown recently at the Kia Chinese EV Day event, giving us a look at what the future production model of this new electric Kia could be. This new electric SUV resembles the current Telluride, but with a lot of style, lines, and elements that make it more futuristic, which is expected of all EVs. Oddly, this new EV5 appears to be larger than the current EV6, which might mean we’re in for a name change, or Kia will just let things be the way they are.
Similarities to the EV9 concept
We expect the new Kia EV5 to share some similar elements with the EV9. Many automakers create design languages that are translated across the entire lineup of vehicles. That said the new EV5 stands out with seamless lines that make it appear to come from one solid piece of metal, which is pretty cool. The smooth and unified appearance is certainly futuristic and makes the EV5 attractive and interesting. The chunky build of the body carries into the wheels which have a large four-spoke, triangular look to them.
The Tiger Grille is gone, but not really
The grille on gas-powered Kia vehicles has been described as being shaped like a tiger’s nose. Because the new EV5 is an electric vehicle, it doesn’t require a grille, but it does have the new trademarked “Digital Tiger Face” appearance to it.
The LED headlights look different from those found on the EV9, which makes it easy to differentiate the two vehicles from the front. Overall, you’ll see the style you admire in most Kia vehicles translated into this new all-electric SUV that we can’t wait to see on the roads in the United States.
Can Kia translate the design theme in the cabin?
The overall look of the new Kia EV5 is similar to the Telluride. This means it has a welcoming, useful, and relaxing vibe. The interior design theme of this Kia electric vehicle is “Healing, Caring, and Recharging” but how well can Kia translate this into the cabin?
The translation should be pretty direct and easy to see with the rear-hinged rear doors that offer a larger opening for entry and exit of the EV5. There’s even a small coffee table situated between the two captain’s chairs in the rear, which makes this cabin feel much more relaxed and calm than some other vehicles.
In true electric vehicle design, the new EV5 should have a minimalistic approach to style with a large central touchscreen and a panoramic sunroof that includes integrated solar panels. This minimal style and sunroof provide and open and airy feeling, which can be extremely relaxing when you step inside and prepare to drive this new Kia SUV.
Will everything work in a production model?
We’ve only seen the concept version of the Kia EV5 so far. This means we’ve seen what designers want to offer, but sometimes can’t because of safety and production constraints. It would be amazing if the EV5 could have everything found in the concept version, but we don’t expect to see the coffee table between the seats when it arrives. Still, the minimalistic cabin styling, attractive but chunky exterior elements, and large panoramic sunroof with solar panels to charge devices could all be part of the EV5 that makes it to the roads of China very soon.
We’ll certainly be interested to follow and admire this new Kia electric SUV from afar until its our turn with this impressive new EV. We expect the EV5 might make it to the United States as soon as 2025 if not sooner. Could this be the electric vehicle you drive with your family or will it offer a 2+2 configuration when it hits our shores?
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