Kia just lately held its annual EV Day occasion abroad, and we had been one of many choose retailers invited to attend in particular person. Throughout that point, Kia executives outlined the Korean model’s international EV technique, which reiterated its unwavering strategy to going all-electric, bolstered by a number of new fashions that made international debuts, together with the Idea EV2, PV5 lineup, and the Kia EV4, which we realized will formally be bought within the US.
Kia continues to ascertain itself as a bona fide mover within the EV phase as half of a bigger electrification technique from the father or mother firm, Hyundai Motor Group. The Group’s resolution to spend money on superior platform expertise early on culminated within the E-GMP platform, the 800—or 400-volt nucleus of all its bespoke EV fashions. This platform has already paid dividends out there progress of all its marques, significantly Hyundai and Kia.
The Korean marque discovered early success with its EV6 and EV9 fashions and has since launched a number of further autos set to hitch the lineup, together with the EV3, EV4, and EV5. Moreover, Kia shared plans to enter the business EV phase with a brand new lineup of modular BEVs referred to as “Platform Past Autos,” or PBVs for brief.
Throughout Kia’s second annual EV Day occasion, these fashions and a few further surprises had been on show in Tarragona, Spain. We had been there in particular person to get an up-close take a look at the 9 totally different fashions on show (see the video recap beneath) and have some thrilling information to share about Kia EVs and the US market.
Kia unveils EV4 and confirms it’s coming to the US
A lot of Kia’s EV Day 2025 touched upon new fashions designed for Korean and European markets, therefore why the occasion was held in Spain, however there have been some juicy tidbits for North American prospects, together with information that the brand new EV4, which was unveiled in Tarragona, will enter the US market.
The EV4 initially debuted as an idea mannequin on the 2024 LA Auto Present alongside the EV3 idea, which has since been confirmed for the US market. We have now been overlaying all of the glimpses of the EV4 since, which has expanded into sedan and hatchback configurations.
Throughout EV Day 2025, Kia formally unveiled each four- and five-door variations of the EV4, described as an “athletic all-rounder launched to redefine the C-segment.” That is one other core mannequin in Kia’s international EV technique and the automaker’s first devoted sedan hatchback EV.
When it arrives, it’s going to supply the best-in-class cabin and cargo area (490 liters within the sedan and 435 liters within the hatchback) and is at present being optimized to ship the best-in-class EV vary. Kia can be focusing on one other IIHS Prime Security Decide award for this mannequin, and it is going to be the primary within the EV lineup to characteristic over-the-air (OTA) updates accessible by way of the Kia App. Listed here are some key specs:
- Battery dimension: Customary (58.3 kWh) and Lengthy Vary (81.4 kWh) packs shall be accessible
- The Lengthy Vary battery is predicted to ship as much as 630km (392 miles) of WLTP vary, and 430 km (267 miles) of vary within the Customary mannequin
- The long-range hatchback model can ship as much as 590km (367 miles) of WLTP vary
- A full underbody cowl contributes to aerodynamic efficiency and a drag coefficient of 0.23 Cd
- A front-mounted 150 kW motor can speed up from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.4 seconds with the usual pack and seven.7 seconds with the lengthy vary battery.
- Each battery variants can attain a high pace of 170 km/h (106 mph)
- It incorporates a 400V E-GMP platform, enabling the long-range pack to cost from 10-80% in 31 minutes (29 minutes for the usual pack)
- Comes outfitted with vehicle-to-load (V2L) (3.6 kVa) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) (10 kVa) capabilities with an 11 kW onboard charger
Right here’s a better take a look at the sedan model:
The Kia EV4 may even arrive with new tech, together with Digital Key 2.0, which permits your smartphone to behave as a key and is suitable with Apple Watch. The BEV additionally options i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking, which we just lately examined within the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5.
One other characteristic is “Relaxation Mode,” which makes use of front-row leisure seats and a temper lamp to create a snug ambiance whereas parked and/or charging. Theater mode optimizes the dashboard’s 30″ show, temper lighting, and non-compulsory Harmon/Kardon 8-speaker sound system for video streaming on newly added companies like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+.
Per Kia, the EV4 sedan shall be constructed at its new EVO Plant in Korea, and the hatchback model shall be in-built Slovakia for focused gross sales in Europe solely. Sedan manufacturing will start in Korea in mid-March, adopted by hatchback manufacturing within the second half of 2025. Manufacturing for North America is deliberate for later this 12 months, however we do not need a extra concrete timeline but.
Kia President Ho Sung Track advised the gang the automaker is focusing on a construct of 160,000 items of the EV4, 80,000 of which shall be bought in North America. Kia stated it targets a beginning MSRP of 37,000 euros for the EV4. Whereas we don’t have US pricing but, Mr. Track advised reporters the US greenback and Euro are fairly even proper now, so we are able to count on US pricing to be equally aggressive to Europe, no less than for the entry-level mannequin.
Kia debuts the Idea EV2 alongside the EV4
Along with the EV4, Kia unveiled its new Idea EV2 – its smallest BEV mannequin up to now, representing the automaker’s “imaginative and prescient for a B-segment all-electric SUV.—its smallest BEV mannequin up to now.” Per Kia President and CEO, Ho Sung Track:
The Kia Idea EV2 represents a daring step ahead for the way forward for city mobility. With the Idea EV2, we challenged ourselves to create a automobile that defies expectations, providing progressive expertise and practicality past its dimension. This idea previews Kia’s future imaginative and prescient to redefine the phase, bringing a brand new degree of sophistication and usefulness to city drivers. It’s a transparent sign of our dedication to creating electrical autos actually accessible for everybody.
Whereas the EV2 stays an idea for now, Kia expressed a objective to ship a manufacturing model that intently resembles it. Kia’s govt vp and head of world design, Karim Habib, advised the media that it’s a lot simpler to perform on a automobile’s exterior. Nonetheless, it’s going to attempt to carry as many components of the EV2 inside to the lots as nicely.
We hope Kia will proceed to include sustainable supplies within the EV2’s inside in addition to its distinctive seat configuration, which features a folding second row, a sliding entrance bench, and rear-hinged again doorways, which permit the BEV to open up for an progressive spot to hang around. Right here’s an in depth look from Kia:
Per Kia, the EV2 is focusing on a beginning MSRP of 30,000 euros however, sadly, shouldn’t be deliberate for a US launch, simply Europe and “different areas” in 2026.
Our greatest take a look at the PV5, which can or might not come to the US
Along with the EV4 and Idea EV2 debuts, Kia additionally shared full particulars of its PV5 EVs, the primary mannequin from its new PBV lineup to hit the market. The Korean automaker drove 4 distinctive variants onto the stage in Spain, showcasing the PV5’s modularity atop Kia’s new E-GMP.S platform, designed particularly for these autos. The “s” stands for “service.”
Kia describes the PV5 as a Automobile-Derived Van (CDV) provided in three physique kinds: Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab. The variants on show had been Passenger, Cargo, Crew, and WAV, which stands for “Wheelchair Accessible Car.”
Whereas these are business BEVs at their core, Kia has taken a welcomed gross sales strategy and can promote them to the general public as nicely. Which means the on a regular basis client can get their fingers on one and design it to their liking utilizing Kia AddGear, enabling prospects to select from a variety of customized equipment for private and enterprise use.
On the business facet, Kia introduced a number of partnerships to empower fleet prospects with cutting-edge software program with the assistance of corporations like 42dot, Geotab, and Samsung. Moreover, the PBV’s Android Automotive Working System (AAOS) will enable business prospects to combine their very own software program into fleets. Listed here are some key specs:
- Selection of a 51.5 kWh or 71.2 kWh NMC battery pack for all variations, plus the choice for an extra 43.3 kWh LFP battery within the PV5 Cargo
- All variations characteristic a 150 kW entrance motor than can produce 250 Nm of torque
- The PV5 Passenger with the bigger pack delivers a spread as much as 400km (249 miles)
- All variations can cost from 10-80% in half-hour
- PV5 Passenger: A 3-row seat configuration that may be optimized for baggage or tenting eventualities and has been developed with ride-hailing use circumstances in thoughts (Kia has partnered with Uber)
- The PV5 Cargo (Excessive Roof): This variant affords as much as 5.1 m³ of capability, with commonplace, lengthy, and high-roof choices accessible. There’s additionally an non-compulsory L-track mounting system and V2L performance
- The PV5 Chassis Cab: Will probably be delivered as an unfinished automobile, with a shared cabin, which makes use of the entrance part of the PV5 Cargo. It was developed with modularity to assist a spread of conversion configurations, from Drop Aspect to Freezer Field fashions
Different variants within the works embrace the PV5 Crew, which options numerous cargo securing choices like lashing factors and L-tracks, plus the PV5 WAV (each pictured above), which comes outfitted with a sliding ramp that helps as much as 300 kg (661 lbs) and will be positioned on the highway or the sidewalk, in addition to {hardware} to safe the wheelchair throughout transit.
My first thought after seeing the modularity of the PV5 was “electrical camper van,” so after I interviewed Mr. Track, it was the very first thing I requested. The Kia President couldn’t affirm a camper model of the PV5 or bigger PV7 was coming however did say it was being mentioned. It’s possible you’ll keep in mind Kia unveiled an identical PV5 idea referred to as the WKNDR at SEMA 2024, so this feels imminent and will promote nicely. Moreover, Kia’s press launch outlining the 2025 Kia EV Day occasion particularly talked about a camper choice:
Moreover, Kia has developed the Versatile Physique System, an progressive expertise that permits the modular meeting of physique elements, akin to assembling a puzzle. This functionality permits Kia to successfully deal with the varied wants of its prospects by offering commonplace fashions together with Passenger, Cargo, Chassis-Cab, WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Car), and Household. Moreover, it’s going to characteristic conversion fashions together with the Crew, Drop Aspect, Field Van, Freezer Field, Prime (superior mannequin based mostly on Passenger), and Gentle Camper.
Kia stated the PV5 Cargo may have a beginning MSRP of 35,000 euros, together with VAT, and different fashions shall be “priced competitively.”
Just like the EV4, the PBVs shall be constructed at Kia’s new devoted EVO plant in Korea, which additionally features a conversion facility subsequent door for these custom-made builds. Kia shared that PV5 gross sales will start in Korea and Europe in July, adopted by launches in further markets in 2026. Conversion fashions are additionally anticipated to start manufacturing “sequentially” between 2025 and 2026.
However will the PV5 come to the US? This query got here up a number of instances throughout govt interviews, however we nonetheless don’t have a concrete reply. Mr. Track confirmed that the PV5 can be bought in Canada however cited america’ “rooster tax” as a hurdle for market entry within the US.
On condition that info, it’s arduous to consider Kia gained’t discover a workaround to get its PV5s imported into the US market, however that has been all however confirmed to date. That may undoubtedly be a course of to regulate.
Different key highlights from Kia EV Day 2025
General, EV Day 2025 showcased Kia’s continued dedication to BEVs and its spectacular innovation within the area, together with selection, modularity, and superior expertise. I at all times reiterate that Hyundai Motor Group seems to be doing the whole lot proper, and you may take a look at the rising international market share of each Hyundai and Kia lately as clear proof of modularity.
What I discovered most spectacular was President Track’s unwavering assist of Kia’s all-electric future, which entails staying the course set out when the Korean automaker rebranded itself in 2021. Mr. Track stated that the automaker has no plans to backtrack to ICE autos like some rivals. Tariffs got here up quite a bit in interviews, and Mr. Track took a second to assemble his ideas earlier than addressing the looming risk to the room.
His sentiment was that the specter of tariffs within the US is horrifying, however it impacts most automakers, not simply Hyundai Motor Group. Kia plans to maintain the perfect pursuits of its prospects in thoughts. The placement of EV manufacturing and its place out there are key elements in its enterprise technique. Nonetheless, if tariffs come up, Kias is able to pivot its technique to proceed offering prospects with the perfect expertise at a aggressive value (once more, there was no point out of steering away from BEVs in any respect). That’s refreshing to listen to.
Chinese language BEVs additionally got here up in interviews, and Mr. Track’s response was forthcoming and trustworthy (once more fairly refreshing from a CEO):
Chinese language manufacturers are a giant burden to all OEMs. Their costs are considerably decrease, they usually’re rising in new markets. We’re rising too. Perhaps somebody is shedding market share, however we aren’t. We can’t meet up with that value hole, however will proceed to enhance our expertise and buyer expertise.
Alongside potential plans for the PV5 within the US, Kia executives additionally advised the media that it’s exploring the potential of bringing the EV5 to the US however can’t affirm something at the moment. So, in whole, we all know the US will see gross sales of the Kia EV3 and EV4 for positive; the PV5 and EV5 are query marks, and the EV2 is a definitive no.
General, Kia’s EV Day 2035 showcased the model’s continued innovation and growth into new segments led by among the finest bang to your buck in expertise and charging capabilities. Like Hyundai, Kia is changing into an absolute vanguard in BEVs (certainly one of its inner objectives), which is why its market share continues to develop (see proof above). Right here’s an up-close take a look at among the sights from EV Day 2025, together with footage of the EV4 sedan, hatchback, and GT-Line.
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