More details on the Kia EV5 were revealed during the company’s first annual EV Day, with confirmation of powertrain specifics, and that the mid-sized SUV will be appearing in markets outside of China. The Korean automaker also revealed that a hot EV5 GT is on the horizon too.
First shown to the public at the Chengdu Motor Show in China in August, the EV5 is the third offering in Kia’s all-electric lineup. It sits below the EV6 and borrows heavily styling-wise from its bigger brother, the EV9.
The EV5 will initially be offered in China, with a global rollout later on. The Chinese-market EV5 will be produced domestically and will be available to customers in three variations: Standard, Long-Range, and Long-Range AWD. The global model, produced in Korea, will also get the same variation titles, but with differing specifications.
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In China, the Standard model will have a 64 kWh battery pack coupled with a 160 kW (218 PS / 215 hp) motor to deliver a range of 530 km (360 miles) on the optimistic China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle. The Standard model for global markets will feature a smaller 58 kWh battery, but will also have the same 160 kW (218 PS / 215 hp) motor driving the front wheels.
The 160 kW (218 PS / 215 hp) motor also features on both Chinese and global market long-range models of the EV5 too, the only difference being battery size. Chinese consumers will get an 88 kWh battery for a CLTC range of 720 km (447 miles). The rest of the world makes do with a slightly smaller 81 kWh battery pack, with range estimates to be announced later.
Related: 2025 Kia EV5 Compact Electric SUV Debuts In China As A Global Model
For both Chinese- and Korean-built EV5s, the Long Range AWD EV5 will add a secondary 70 kW (95 PS / 94 hp) motor to drive the rear axle. However, the Chinese model has a combined output of 5kW (6.8 PS / 6.7 hp) greater than the rest of the world, with 230 kW (313 PS / 308 hp) quoted, versus the 225 kW (306 PS / 302 hp) of the global model. Kia also mentions that the China-made EV5 will have the ability to DC fast charge from 30 to 80 percent in 27 minutes.
All EV5s will feature a heat pump as found in the EV6, while so-called one-pedal driving can be achieved with Kia’s i-Pedal system.
Inside the cabin, the 2025 Kia EV5 will feature the brand’s latest interface applied to all screens for seamless connectivity. Two 12.3-inch screens take care of the cluster and infotainment system, while a separate 5.0-inch climate control display is also present.
A hot “GT” version of the Kia EV5 is also in the works, although Kia did not confirm a timeframe for release, nor did it hint at specs or market availability.
