2024 Kia EV5 revealed and coming to Australia next year

Kia has revealed further details of the 2024 EV5 electric SUV – including that an EV5 GT is coming – and has confirmed the model will arrive in Australia next year.

All EV5s for Australia will be sourced from China, though that's the extent of local info at the moment.

EV5 electric driving range will start around 440km (converted from CLTC to WLTP) with the Long Range variants likely to hit 600km in WLTP figures.

The burgeoning electric medium SUV segment will continue to hot up in 2024 with the addition of Kia's EV5 along with the Volkswagen ID.4 and Skoda Enyaq to face off against the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E.

Although Kia has not engaged in price wars with Chinese brands yet, that could change with the EV5. Along with the EV3 and EV4 also revealed today, the EV5 is the start of Kia's attainable electric vehicle range.

Kia is aiming to push its smaller range of EVs at between $55,000-$80,000 on its way to selling 1.6 million electric cars annually by 2030. it'll accomplish this by expanding manufacturing with the goal of eight non-Korean plants with India and North America key targets.

“The Kia EV5 is not just the next addition to our rapidly expanding EV line-up, but also the embodiment of how we will accelerate the EV revolution. For us, it is the perfect representation of both our future EV strategy and our commitment to accelerating the worldwide transition to EVs”, said head of global business planning sub-division Spencer Cho.

Jump ahead

• Range, charging and power
• Cabin design
• Dimensions
• Safety features
• Pricing and availability

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The lineup on show at Kia's EV day

Kia EV5 range, charging and power

Though the Kia EV5 sits on a version of the E-GMP platform shared between Hyundai and Kia, the medium SUV gets different battery configurations.

The basic single front-mounted motor cars use a 64kWh battery pack and 160kW motor. Given the EV5 was designed with China in mind first, the standard range's 530km driving range is quoted in the Combined Charging and Load Cycle (CLTC).

CLTC figures are typically 15-20 per cent more optimistic than WLTP, so we're expecting a 430-460km WLTP figure from the base car.

The two Long Range variants are fitted with 88kWh battery packs. The single motor is rated at 720km (CLTC), so expect a generous 580-620km from WLTP figure.

The 230kW all-wheel drive model adds a 70kW motor to the rear axle, dropping its range figure to 650km CLTC (or about 510-550km WLTP).

Reports suggest that China-made models coming to Australia will be fitted with lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs rather than the nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) items that Korean cars will get.

This appears to have affected charge speeds. Kia has yet to confirm average DC rapid-charging speeds but claims the EV5's larger battery goes from 30-80 per cent SOC in 27 minutes, against the 800-volt EV6's 18 minutes from 10-80 per cent.

Korean-made cars will have smaller 58kWh and 81kWh NMC battery packs, with ranges yet to be revealed. A heat pump is standard, and the EV5 will get a version of the existing regenerative braking system including i-Pedal single-pedal drive mode.

The initial models will be followed by a high-performance GT variant in the future, likely developing nearly 400kW from two motors.

Spacious, airy and food-friendly cabin

Unlike the existing EV6, the EV6 moves to a more open and airy cabin design, more similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV9 in execution.

A pair of integrated 12.3-inch screens form the digital driver's display and main HMI touchscreen, which boasts over-the-air software updates and Kia Connect service (in select markets).

Below that is a 5.0-inch HVAC touchscreen, while there are four hidden physical buttons for on/off and various heating and ventilation functions for the tri-zone climate control you may not want to use the touchscreen for.

Upholstery is eco-friendly with recycled PET fabric in lower-grade cars and bio polyurethane for upper trims. Kia says this, along with the added airiness, elevates the EV5's cabin "into an ultra-comfortable, highly practical, and inspiring environment that meets the needs of millennial families".

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China-market models get the option of a three-wide bench seat, though our cars will get individual front seats. The upmarket 'Relaxation' chairs have four-mode massage, heating and ventilation, and adjustable lumbar support.

The EV5 concept's swivelling captain's chairs have evolved into a second-row seat that can fold fully flat – Kia's calling it the camping seat.

Escapism continues to be built in with an optional four-litre cooler/heater box that can fluctuate temperatures between five and 55 degrees.

For those on the go it's sold as being able to keep takeaway brekkie and coffee hot on the way to work or keeping beverages cold in hotter months and "summer camping trips".

A table is integrated into the front centre console for snacking and working, while the 'Multi Table' luggage board also provides a place to consume some delicious morsels.

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Dimensions

The Kia EV6 sits firmly in the medium SUV segment. It measures 4615mm long, 1875mm wide, 1715mm tall, and rides on a 2750mm wheelbase – shorter than the Ioniq 5, model Y and EV6.

Safety

The EV5 is yet to be evaluated by an independent safety testing body.

Kia says the new EV features seven airbags and a strong body for crash-worthiness.

It's also packed with driver assistance features including 'Highway Driving Assist' that combines adaptive cruise control with stop & go with lane-trace assist.

Rea cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and AEB are fitted to the EV5, as well as a remote smart parking assist that allows you to get into or out of a spot in the EV5 using a smartphone app.

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Pricing and availability

Kia is yet to confirm pricing or features for Australia, however, reports have suggested it will start at around 50 Million Won in Korea or AU$59,000.

That Australian EV5s will be made in China using more affordable LFP battery technology bodes very well for local pricing, too. If Kia can offer a family-sized EV with all the technology and decent range for under $60,000, it could be onto a winner.

Kia has only said the EV5 will arrive in 2024 with no specific date targeted yet. We expect sometime around mid-late next year for arrivals.

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Our original story, below, continues unchanged

August 2022: Kia EV5 revealed as Sportage-sized EV

Unveiled at the Chengdu motor show in China, the EV5 mid-size electric SUV will arrive in China later this year before a global version launches in 2024.

Kia said more product information for the EV5 will be announced at an ‘EV day’ event scheduled for October, where it will detail its “global vision for electrification”.

Measuring 4615mm long, 1875mm wide and 1715mm tall, the five-seat EV5 is similar in size to the internal-combustion Sportage mid-size SUV and its Tesla Model Y rival.

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Technical details for the EV5 have yet to be announced.

Earlier this month, the Korean Car Blog [↗] reported that Chinese-market versions will feature a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, while overseas models will reportedly have nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) batteries.

The report also said the Kia EV5 will be priced at 50 million won (AU$59,000) for the standard range variant and 57 million won (AU$67,000) for the long-range, with the latter said to have a 600km driving range.

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In many ways, the Kia EV5 is a shrunken take on the full-size EV9 due in Australia in October with a similar design, including its ‘digital tiger nose’ and ‘signature star map’ front end.

The side profile is also similar to the EV9, with “pushed-back” D-pillars said to improve visibility.

However, the rear end differs with a full-width light strip connecting the tail-lights, rather than adopting the EV9’s vertical look.

Nine gloss and one matte colours will be offered for the EV5, including snow white pearl, clear white, starry night black, magma red, ivory silver, frost blue, iceberg green, tide blue, shale grey, and ivory silver matte.

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Inside, the design similarities continue with a single-piece display for the infotainment system, climate control setting, and full-digital infotainment cluster.

“Drawing additional inspiration from the recently launched larger EV9 SUV, they have endowed the EV5 with an extensive interior space that is closer in concept and execution to a home lounge than a traditional car cabin,” said Kia.

Kia has confirmed the EV5 will feature 64-colour interior ambient lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, heated and cooled cupholders, a moving centre console similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5, aeroplane-style rear fold-down trays, and a lift-up shelf in the boot.

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Four interior colours and five upholstery options are available, with the seat patterns including two woven options and one artificial leather option for the base model.

The 2024 Kia EV5 will launch in China later this year, with the brand confirming it will “debut in select global markets” in 2024.

Kia has confirmed more information will be released at its EV event in October.

Last year, Kia Australia product planning boss, Roland Rivero, said the firm has its hand up to receive as many EVs as possible, telling Wheels it hopes to soon launch at least two additional models in two completely different segments – one of which is the EV9 due by Christmas.