• The EV3 will be based on the well-known E-GMP platform but will have a 400-volt architecture.
  • Kia is expected to offer the EV3 with 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs.
  • The launch of the EV3 will be followed by the EV4 sedan in 2025.

It’s only been six months since the Kia EV3 SUV Concept was unveiled, and Kia has already announced the upcoming production-ready version of its first compact electric SUV.

Similar to its predecessors, the EV9 and EV5, the EV5 will look almost exactly like the concept it was introduced with. A trio of teasers released by Kia reveal that the EV5 will feature similarly aggressive LED taillights as its siblings, but with a slightly less upright rear fascia and an angled rear window. These lights were already introduced on the EV5 Concept and are almost unchanged for the production model, although they are now slightly thicker.

Read: This is everything we know about the $30,000 Kia EV3

One of the teasers released by Kia also shows the EV5 from the front. It features an angular headlight with a sinuous T-shaped LED daytime running light, like the concept. Heck, the production model even wears the same shade of light green as the concept. According to Kia, the EV5 features the same “Opposites United” design language as the rest of the models.

The world premiere of the new Kia EV5 is scheduled for May 23rd and will be livestreamed on YouTube. Sales start later in the year.

While the exterior of the SUV is almost identical to the concept, major changes can be expected in the interior. While the concept had an oval steering wheel, we expect the production model will have a more traditional steering wheel, perhaps with a flat bottom. The dashboard was also intended to include some physical buttons that were missing from the concept, as well as more traditional vents, pedals and door panels.

The new Kia EV3 is being teased in production form and could start at $32,000 in the US
Kia EV3 concept

The EV5 will be based on Hyundai Motor Group’s well-known E-GMP platform. Interestingly, the expensive 800-volt architecture of the EV6 and EV9 is ditched in favor of a 400-volt system. Both 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs are expected. Entry-level models should be sold with a single electric motor and there is a possibility that high-end versions will be available with dual motors.

The price for the Kia EV5 could be as low as $32,000 when it goes on sale in the US