Kia to launch EV5 in China at competitive prices
Kia will offer its new electric model EV5 in China at surprisingly low prices. According to a media report, the compact SUV will go on sale there for 159,800 to 229,800 yuan (the equivalent of around 20,200 to 29,000 euros). That would make it significantly cheaper than the Tesla Model Y.
As the Korean Car Blog reports, citing official information from Kia’s China unit, orders for the Kia EV5 will be possible in China from 17 November, and prices will be in the above-mentioned range. By comparison, the Tesla Model Y costs at least 263,900 yuan (around 33,300 euros) in China, about 100,000 yuan, or a whopping 13,000 euros, more for the base models.
Kia unveiled the series design of the EV5 a few days ago at the trade fair in Chengdu. The presentation location is no coincidence: the new electric SUV will launch in China before entering global markets. It will also be produced in China, specifically at the Yancheng plant operated by Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motor Co, a joint venture between Dongfeng, Jiangsu Yueda Group and Kia. An approximate date for the market launch in the rest of the world has yet to be announced.
The compact SUV is Kia’s third model based on the Hyundai Group’s E-GMP electric platform, after the EV6 and EV9 – so it will be a pure 800-volt electric vehicle. However, the Koreans are still holding back on the details of the drive technology. These will only be revealed at the Kia EV Day in October.
In principle, the production model remains true to the line. The EV5 could pass for a small EV9 in many respects – but in detail, it brings in its own elements, for example, the design of the front headlights or the rear lights that are pulled far inwards. The LEDs integrated into the front end of the EV9 are not offered on the more affordable EV5.
On the other hand, the basic structure and proportions were taken from Kia’s largest electric SUV: The front is very steep, the design somewhat angular, and the rising line at the D-pillar and the steep rear window are also familiar from the EV9. According to Kia, every feature of the EV5 “has been designed and engineered to provide the flexibility required by modern families and enhance their enjoyment on every journey.”
According to the digit in the model name, the EV5 is likely slightly shorter than the 4.68-metre-long EV6. The exact dimensions, however, have yet to be made public. However, due to its steeper rear window and taller body, the compact SUV will likely offer more utility.
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