We’ve all seen what the new Kia EV5 looks like, now it is time to hear about what’s under the incoming compact SUV’s skin as the Korean carmaker has now revealed all of the model’s juicy details at its recent EV Day.
Based on the same E-GMP platform as the larger EV9, the EV5 will be offered in three different flavours for the Chinese market, including standard, long-range, and an all-wheel drive long-range variant.
Starting with the ‘standard’, it comes equipped with a 64kWh battery pack which sends energy to a 160kW electric motor and is expected to reach up to 530km on a single charge.
Next up is the ‘long-range’ which features a larger 88kWh battery and the same 160kW motor as the aforementioned variant. Thanks to the increase in capacity, the model aims to achieve up to 720km per charge.
Rounding out the variants is the EV5 long-range with all-wheel drive, featuring an 88kWh battery, a 160kW motor up front, and an additional 70kW motor at the rear to generate a combined output of 230kW. However, the driving range comes down a bit to 650km.
No matter what variant you go for, they’re all capable of fast charging from 30 to 80 per cent in just under half an hour.
The Korean market model differs ever so slightly, with the standard variant getting a 58kWh battery, while the long-range gets an 81kWh unit.
We aren’t sure which of the two differing models will be offered in New Zealand, but overseas reports say Australia will receive the Chinese-made EV5, meaning we’ll likely get that one too.
The EV5 features a heat pump system for the battery, which is designed to manage its temperature no matter the conditions outside.
It’ll also come with regenerative braking which charges the battery during deceleration, while the i-Pedal system allows the driver to accelerate and brake with just a single pedal.
Kia says the EV5 will also be offered in a top-of-the-range GT variant which will be revealed at a later date.
You’ve no doubt already seen the model’s exterior by now, designed with the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ philosophy in mind, but we have yet to have a look inside until now.
Without further ado, the interior of the EV5 is considered to be closer to a home lounge than a car. In saying that, it comes with a panoramic display that combines both a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and an equally-sized infotainment touchscreen into a single pane. There’s also a smaller 5-inch display for the climate controls.
The compact SUV also comes with three-zone climate control, over-the-air updates, an optional head-up display, as well as a suite of safety and driver assistance systems, such as lane keep assist, remote park assist, autonomous emergency braking, and more.
A choice of seat upholstery is available, including recycled PET fabric and Bio-PU leather, which wrap reclining and massaging front seats. The rear of the vehicle can also be transformed into a bedroom thanks to a second-row seat that folds fully flat. A 4.0-litre refrigerator and food warmer has also been fitted to the rear console.
Pricing and specification for the new Kia EV5 has yet to be confirmed for New Zealand.
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