Kia Concept EV5 previews all-electric Sportage alternative

Kia is charging ahead with its electric vehicle offensive, debuting its new 2023 Kia Concept EV5 today ahead of a full production-spec reveal later this year.

Resembling a shrunken Kia EV9 and primed for release in China, the Concept EV5 is roughly the size of the Kia Sportage mid-size SUV and has been created under Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.

No mechanical details have been confirmed yet but the new battery-electric compact SUV will almost certainly ride on the Hyundai-Kia group’s latest e-GMP EV architecture and come with the option of single- and dual-motor powertrains as per the bigger Kia EV6 and EV9 electric SUVs, the latter of which will arrive here in the second half of the year.

The new concept is said to have a particular emphasis on the ‘Bold for Nature’ pillar of its latest design language and is apparently aimed at SUV buyers “pursuing a ‘borderless life’ where there is no boundary between their enjoyment and appreciation of nature and the city”.

What all this jargon translates to is a thoroughly modern design devoid of many harsh lines or creases but is still edgy and sharp enough to catch the eye.

Up front is a new take on the EV9’s ‘Digital Tiger Face’ fascia and ‘Star Map’ signature lighting technology, while the rear-end steps further afield and takes on its own identity with a wide hip line accentuated by the almost full-width lighting signature.

The interior is headlined by a light and airy ambience afforded by the large glasshouse and full-length roof, not to mention eco-friendly materials – seaweed extract, upcycled PET bottles, synthetic leather – and neutral colour scheme.

Drivers are greeted by a rectangular steering wheel and curved dual-screen display housing both the infotainment and digital cockpit interfaces.

A completely flat floor maximises space and in turn facilitates the fitment of swivelling captain’s chairs for most occupants, while the boot can be transformed into a nature-scape work area or study nook with a fold-out bench and desk.

Odds are none of these features will make it to production, but the EV9’s styling suggests the production Kia EV5 won’t look too different to the concept that previews it in terms of exterior design and basic dash layout.

“The Kia Concept EV5 takes influence from the contrast and complementarity of natural landscapes and man-made architecture,” Kia Global Design Centre boss Karim Habib said.

“It is designed to inspire our customers on every journey, while providing sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions.

“Created for those who seek inventive new ideas, the SUV brings together emotional form language with innovative, user-focused interior architecture.”

Kia is yet to confirm when or where the production EV5 will make its global debut, but says launch details for markets outside China will be announced later in the year.

With the EV9 inbound and a facelifted Kia Sorento due to launch in the third quarter of 2023, it’s unlikely we’ll see the EV5 in local showrooms before the second quarter of 2024, if it is released here at all.

If it is, Kia Australia will have some number crunching to do when it comes to the EV5’s positioning. Given it is smaller than the established EV6 it will need to be cheaper, but Kia already has the Niro Electric small SUV filling a similar role and price point.

The production EV5 will slot in between the two models in terms of size, but there’ll more than likely be some significant overlap between it and the Niro EV if the smaller model isn’t shown the door.

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