Production-Spec Kia EV5 Unveiled in China Ahead of Aug 25 Debut

All-new Kia EV5 spotted in China! (Photo credit: Car News China)

The production version of the new Kia EV5 has been revealed in China, just days ahead of its supposed official global debut at the end of this month. According to Car News China, this EV5 model was ‘accidentally’ unveiled by the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), which will commence its production in the People’s Republic soon.

Photo credit: Car News China

Similar to the EV5 concept model unveiled earlier this year, this production version boasts a familiar design trait that made it look like a shrunken version of the Kia EV9 –  the marque’s latest flagship SUV model. Notable differences between this model and its concept twin are the inclusion of ‘traditional’ side mirrors, streamlined door handles, subtly-altered LED headlights and taillights, as well as several wheel options measuring 18- to 19-inch.

While the interior part of the EV5 has yet to be disclosed, we can expect them to follow the same convention as the EV9, which features minimalist cabin design with plethora of tech amenities.

In terms of size, the EV5 measures 4,615 MM long, 1,875 MM wide, 1,715 MM tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 MM – putting it straight into the C-segment SUV size. For comparison, the Nissan Ariya – a C-segment EV SUV – measures 4,595 MM long, 1,850 MM wide, and with a wheelbase of 2,775 MM.

Kia EV5 Concept unveiled earlier this year

Similar to the EV9, the Kia EV5 also underpins Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP EV platform with a 800-volt battery architecture, while using BYD’s proprietary Blade lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack with an undisclosed capacity. The Blade batteries will juice the front mounted-and-driven (FWD) 215 HP and 310 NM-rated electric motor that drives the EV5 to its electronically-limited V-max of 185 KM/H.

Aside from this FWD variant, Kia will reportedly also introduce a peppier dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) variant for the EV5 in near future’s time.

As we mentioned earlier, the Kia EV5 will be manufactured in Yangcheng, China, by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor – a culmination borne out of Kia’s partnership with Dongfeng Motor and Yueda Group. Aside from its local market, the Chinese-made EV5 will also be exported in several international markets, including the US.

The all-new Kia EV5 will make its official global debut on August 25 this year at the upcoming Chengdu Motor Show.