BETTER PARTSMeet the Kia EV3, EV4 and EV5: the latest, cheaper electric Kias
More SUV choices and a sedan idea
Kia has really mastered the whole 'building electric cars' thing. The brand is launching a new production model called EV5 during the 'Kia EV Day'. In addition to the EV5 and the already well-known EV6 and EV9, they show two more concepts: the EV3 and EV4. No, Kia does not have dyscalculia; they indicate the size of the car with the number. The 3 is – for now – the smallest and the 9 the largest. Logically.
With the new models, the brand wants to make electric driving attractive to motorists with a smaller wallet. This is good news, because 67,995 euros for an EV9 is not something the average motorist can easily afford. The idea is to set up an EV range with prices ranging from roughly 33,000 euros to 75,000 euros. The smaller Kia EV3, EV4 and EV5 should cost approximately between 33,000 euros and 47,000 euros. So more affordable.
Kia EV5
Let's start with the new model that is already finished. The standard model of the EV5 will have a 64 kWh battery and a 218 hp electric motor. For more range, you can opt for the Long Range version, which has an 88-kWh battery. The engine remains the same. There is also a four-wheel drive version. This also gets an 88-kWh battery, plus an extra electric motor on the rear wheels. This increases the power to 313 hp.
There will also be a Kia EV5 GT later, but the brand has not yet announced any details about that. In any case, the addition of those two letters bodes well. In the EV5 there is a 12.3-inch panoramic display for the driver and an equally large infotainment screen. Below the central screen you will find four buttons for starting and stopping the car, heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Updates come over the air and you can also supply power to external devices or to the grid.
Kia EV4
And so we count down to the EV4. This is a 'reinterpretation of an electric sedan', according to Kia. The innovation would mainly lie in the powerful lines. It reminds us of the Polestar 4 and the HiPhi Not a bad quality if you ask us.
It's still too early for Kia concepts to talk about powertrains and performance. Kia prefers that you look at the interior in which the air conditioning buttons can be concealed and interior lighting adapts to so-called Mind Modes, which is, um, interesting.
Kia EV3
Essentially, the EV3 is a pocket-sized EV9. It uses the technology, features and design of the large family hauler. The EV3 may be the smallest of the bunch, but there should still be plenty of space in the interior for the now mandatory 'active lifestyle'. You will find mini tables that can rotate and with the back seat flat you should easily be able to accommodate an electric bicycle.
Because there are so many electric Kias, the brand wants to install more charging stations through the Ionity joint venture. By 2025, there should be 7,000 Ionity fast charging stations in Europe. Now there are 2,800. Kia hopes to have sold the millionth EV worldwide by 2026. This number should then increase to 1.6 million by 2030. The Kia EV3, EV4 and EV5 should help with this. Production versions of these cars will debut next year.