Just what are they, exactly? Kia’s EV5 SUV is the latest development in the company’s multi-pronged strategy to corner the global market for zero-emission vehicles. In March, Tesla unveiled their EV5 concept, calling it the first “true” electric sport utility vehicle (SUV). It won’t be as roomy as the upcoming EV9 three-row SUV or as quick as the EV6’s flagship model. This is significant since most families choose vehicles with only two rows, although three-row SUVs are advantageous for transporting cargo and visitors. Here is where the real battle for SUV market share is happening. Kia needs the EV5 to compete with the Tesla Model Y, the Chevrolet Blazer EV, and the Volkswagen ID4. The EV5, EV6, and EV9 will all be built on Kia and Hyundai’s joint E-GMP platform. The platform’s modular design makes it easy to adapt it to the EV5’s final dimensions. A single motor producing around 215 horsepower and the same 76.1-kW battery as the EV9 will likely serve as the EV5’s initial powertrain.
