Kia is navigating a long-term goal of transitioning its lineup to electric power, amidst the immediate challenges of economic contraction and evolving political sentiment. And that means Americans shouldn’t look forward to being able to buy the new EV5, but sedan-lovers may be able to buy a K5 for longer than expected.
The EV5 is a compact electric crossover with a design closely resembling the EV9. Unveiled last year, it currently serves as the brand’s entry-level EV in China, starting at a very affordable 149,800 yuan (approximately US$20,800 at current exchange rates).
Read: 2025 Kia EV5 Starts At $20,900 In China Or Nearly Half The Price Of Tesla Model Y
While we have no doubts that pricing in the USA would have been significantly higher, it would have been far less than the larger EV9, which starts at around $56,000. Nevertheless, one might assume this would make it the perfect model for the U.S., a market currently lacking more affordable EV options.
However, a recent report indicates that the model won’t be available stateside due to its production in China. This renders it ineligible for tax credits and subjects it to a 27.5 percent tariff.
Yes to Canada, no to USA?
Speaking with Motor Trend, Russell Wager, vice president of Marketing at Kia America, stated that the “China-made vehicle will not be sold in the U.S. in the foreseeable future”. We have also contacted Kia for further information and will update this story accordingly.
In any case, this means that while the EV5 will be available in China, South Korea, Mexico and even Canada, it won’t be offered here in the U.S. However, there is positive news for EV enthusiasts seeking an affordable option. American consumers will soon have access to the smaller EV3 (pictured above), a subcompact crossover expected to be priced around $30,000. Although production of the EV3 is slated to begin in 2025, the exact release date for the U.S. market remains uncertain.
Kia K5 is here to stay
It will be joined by the EV4, though information on the Tesla Model 3-sized electric sedan remains scant. However, interest in Kia sedans (electric and internal combustion) is so strong that the recently updated K5 may stick around for longer than expected, per a second report from Motor Trend. The current model’s life cycle has already been planned out, but the company is evaluating whether the internal combustion car deserves another generation.
Kia said the model’s outlook remains fluid because the future of the EV industry is so unclear at this moment. While automakers and governments have made big claims about the future of the industry, electric vehicles’ market share isn’t growing as fast as the industry was hoping, meaning that demand for the K5 might stay strong. A particular favorite among city-dwellers in Asian markets, it may benefit the company to keep a relatively affordable sedan in its lineup.
Similarly, the Kia Forte looks set to forge on in the North American market. While it’s unclear if it will be renamed the K4, Kia’s VP of marketing, Russel Wager, said he’d love to have a next-generation model to sell right now, given the current appetite for cheap cars.
However, the demand for inexpensive cars does not mean that the Kia Rio will return. Discontinued last year, the compact car was so cheap it was actually competing with used vehicles from other brands. As a result, it didn’t encourage owners to buy more Kia vehicles.
