Kia Unveils the New EV5 at Media Day
Expected Real Purchase Price Just Over 40 Million Won
First in Hyundai Motor Group to Feature "Acceleration Limit Assist"
On September 3, Kia announced that it would begin pre-orders in South Korea for the EV5, its electrified family sport utility vehicle (SUV). By equipping the EV5 with a ternary battery from China’s CATL, Kia has managed to lower the actual purchase price to just above 40 million won. In addition, to strengthen its position as a family car, the EV5 is the first in the group to feature 'acceleration limit assist' for driving safety, and a foldable table has also been newly introduced in the rear seats.
The previous day, Kia held 'The Kia EV5 Media Day' in Samseong-dong, Seoul, where it unveiled the vehicle's key features and pricing. Jeong Wonjeong, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia’s Domestic Business Division, stated, "With the launch of the EV5, Kia completes its electric vehicle lineup, offering the optimal choice to meet the diverse needs of everyone from single-person households to large families." The EV5 is equipped with an 81.4 kWh NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery from CATL, providing a driving range of 460 kilometers on a single charge. Pricing for the Long Range trim starts at 48.55 million won for the Air, 52.3 million won for the Earth, and 53.4 million won for the GT Line. Considering government and local electric vehicle subsidies, the base Air trim can be purchased for just over 40 million won.
Son Yongjun, Team Leader of Kia’s Domestic Product 1 Team, explained, "South Korean consumers have a high preference for NCM batteries, and in order to diversify the supply chain for stable battery supply, we considered not only the three major domestic battery companies but also global battery manufacturers." He added, "The price is set at a reasonable level between the EV4 and EV6, taking into account not only the higher product competitiveness compared to the Chinese model (priced at around 30 million won) but also appropriate positioning within our lineup."
The EV5 is characterized by significantly enhanced safety features. In particular, the 'acceleration limit assist' function, applied for the first time in Hyundai Motor Group, prevents sudden acceleration accidents caused by pedal misapplication. When driving at speeds below 80 kilometers per hour, if the driver presses the accelerator deeply and for an extended period, the system limits the speed. This function issues a first warning via a pop-up message, followed by a second warning via voice message, while restricting acceleration.
Additionally, the 'pedal misapplication safety assist' function, previously introduced in the Casper Electric, has also been adopted. This feature restricts acceleration if the driver mistakes the accelerator for the brake pedal when there is an obstacle in front or behind the vehicle at startup. Both of these safety features are standard across all trims of the EV5.
The so-called 'brick phenomenon,' where a vehicle suddenly stops while driving, has also been addressed. In Hyundai and Kia electric vehicles, repeated issues such as vehicle stoppage, power reduction, and charging failure due to integrated charging control unit (ICCU) software errors have caused consumer anxiety. Son explained, "Vehicles with ICCU-related issues, such as the EV6, use an 800V system, but the EV5 uses a 400V system with entirely different components and suppliers," adding, "We have improved previous issues and enhanced design stability."
True to its role as a family car, the EV5 features family-oriented amenities inside. The second row is equipped with a foldable table similar to those found on airplanes, enhancing practicality for light meals or snacks. Additionally, the second row features a full-flat function, allowing the space to be used as a comfortable resting area for car camping or long-distance travel. There is also a display theme featuring Disney characters on the in-car screen, and a 'pet mode' that automatically adjusts the vehicle temperature for pets when the driver leaves the vehicle temporarily.
However, the refrigerator feature, which attracted attention in South Korea after appearing in the 2023 China model, has been omitted. While the Chinese version includes a built-in refrigerator with cooling and heating functions ranging from 5 to 50 degrees Celsius in the lower center console, the domestic EV5 model features an expandable storage space in the center console instead. Son explained, "Unlike China, the domestic market demands strict quality and performance standards, so the refrigerator feature did not meet local requirements and was designed differently."
The center console of the EV5 features an expandable storage space accessible to both the first and second rows. Kia
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