While we’re filming it, Kia’s affordable EV5 electric SUV is not likely coming to the United States. In a rare move, Kia plans to launch the entry-level EV next year, and it will even come with a NACS port for charging Tesla’s superchargers.
We had our first preview of the EV5 when it made its global debut at the Chengdu Auto Show in China in August 2023.
The EV5 was presented on the first day KIA annual that year, throughout the concepts EV3 and EV4. The new models are components of the diversity of KIA access level of access as it is developed in the mass market.
Although we were hoping Kia would bring the EV5 to the US, it doesn’t look like that will happen. Kia announced it will launch the EV5 “exclusively for the Canadian market in North America.” The electric SUV is expected to arrive at dealerships across Canada in 2026.
“At the launch, EV5 will mark a vital milestone when presenting this vehicle as an option” in the largest segment in Canada, said David Sherrard, director of Strategic Planning of Kia Canada.
The EV5 will also feature a native North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for charging at Tesla Superchargers. Kia said the port will allow owners to access 61% more DC fast chargers.
Kia’s smaller SUV will be available in FWD and AWD powertrains with two battery sizes: 60.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh.
Although more information is revealed, add costs and specifications, closer to the launch, the EV5 starts at $ 40,000 to $ 50,000 and has a diversity of up to three hundred miles.
Kia will introduce the EV5 at the Canadian International Auto Show on February 14. Stay tuned for prices and additional specs.
Why would Kia launch the EV5 in Canada, with a Tesla NACS port, and in the U. S. ?What is the U. S. ? There are several reasons. For one, it’s made in the United States, which means you’d qualify for the $7,500 federal tax credit, putting you at a disadvantage opposite to domestic competitors.
In hand, the United States likes larger SUVs and trucks. Kia already has the EV9 with 3 rows, which sold more than 22,000 sets in 2024. The smaller EV6, which has been on the market since 2022, had 21,715 sales.
The EV5 is already a good fortune in China, where it was introduced for the first time. Despite an intensification that is worth war, the low -cost electric SUV has helped corporate opposite to things in the largest market in the global world.
Weda Kia, the joint company of KIA in China, sold more than 248,200 cars last year, to Almaximum 50% compared to 2023. It is also the first time that KIA has crossed the 200,000 bar since 2020. The maximum vital explanation by What has been EV5. After selling 26,550 cars in June, Kia sold more than 20,000 sets every month until the end of 2024.
It looks good, what would probably be competitive with the model and, nevertheless, since it is not built in the United States and in the competition, I can perceive why they may need to sell it here and start first in Canada. There is also uncertainty due to government adjustments here too. It looks like a competitor.
Kia introduced the EV5 in China in November 2023, starting at just 149,800 yuan, or approximately $ 20,000. Not only did it reach a decrease in the expected, but also undermined several more sensible vendors, adding the model and Tesla, starting at 249,900 yuan ($ 35,000).
4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide and 1,715 mm high, the EV5 has approximately the length of a Tesla style (4,760 mm long x 1 921 mm wide x 1,624 mm high).
Tesla’s Model Y was again the best-selling EV in the US last year by a wide margin. With over 372,600 units sold, the Model Y accounted for 28.6% of the market, according to Cox Automotive data.
So why would Kia bring the EV5 to the United States? Would you like to buy one for $ 40,000 to $ 50,000? Let us know in the comments.
Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising