Kia unveils EV5 electric SUV concept, another EV with space for swivel seats

Kia has unveiled yet another all-electric SUV concept called the EV5, this time a smaller brother to the larger 7-seater EV9 that was unveiled earlier this month.

The Concept EV5 has been shown to the world at Kia Chinese EV day, where Karim Habib, the head of Kia’s Global Design Center, ran through where the EV5 sits in the lineup and how it’s different from the company’s existing electric models:

The new EV5 seems to be a step up in its mid-sized range and looks more like a conventional SUV, unlike the more sportier EV6 which is currently available in Australia.

Like the EV9 that will be launched later this year, the EV5 takes Kia’s new “Tiger Face” design. It contains a new lighting system at the front which Kia is using extensively in its designs of the upcoming SUVs.

Also, like the EV9, it contains swivel seats that provide more flexibility to the passengers. Along with that, it also creates more space within the interior.

The interior also consists of a flat floor which will further assist with the spacey feeling for driver and passengers.

The driver gets a more minimalist experience with a wide-screen array and a flatter steering “oval” instead of the traditional wheel.

A panoramic sunroof is also part of the EV5 which acts as solar panels. The technical specifications of this system are yet to be released.

The Concept EV5 will be offered with 21-inch wheels and a roof spoiler that form part of its smoother SUV exterior. Kia says these two features will assist with the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Although not made clear in the unveiling, the EV9 is likely to be based on Kia and Hyundai’s E-GMP platform. The platform is currently available on Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and various Genesis models. The layout of the platform gives a more spacious feeling for all passengers.

Full specs of the model are yet to be released but before then we should know more about its bigger 7-seater brother, the EV9. Kia will be launching that vehicle before the end of the month with specifications also included as part of the upcoming announcement.

This new model is expected to be released first in the Chinese market later this year with further plans to make it available globally in due course.