A few days after publishing photos of its new EV5, Kia is now revealing its price. And the least we can say is that it should scare the Tesla Model Y very much, when it will be displayed under 25,000 euros in China. But there is one detail that should not be forgotten.
Kia has been offering electric models in its range for a while now, with its e-Soul and other EV6s. But the Korean firm wants to go even further, as it prepares a major offensive for the next few years with Hyundai.
An affordable price
The manufacturer therefore recently formalized its large electric SUV EV9, rival of the Tesla Model X and other Volvo EX90, as well as its smaller EV5. The latter, which had already been shown a few months earlier, took advantage of the Chengdu show in China to unveil new official photos.
Something to make us salivate while waiting for its next arrival, the official date of which will be revealed a little later. But the Asian firm, which also lifted the veil on an adorable electric city car rival of the Dacia Spring had not yet communicated on its price. It’s now done, through its Chinese divisionwhere the electric SUV will be sold first.
This is the website The Korean Car Blog which reveals this information to us, which should inspire even more customers. Indeed, this newcomer to the range, which will hunt in particular on the lands of the Tesla Model Y and other Volkswagen ID.4 should start from 159,800 yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 20,000 euros according to the current exchange rate. The most high-end version will be displayed at 229,800 yuan, or only 28,889 euros.
A price that already makes our mouths water and that should give Tesla a cold sweat. For the record, his compact SUV is currently displayed from 45,990 euro in its entry-level Propulsion version in France, after several sharp price cuts. But be careful, because you have to remember that the price displayed in China is revised sharply upwards once the cars are sold here. Thus, the EV5 could suffer from very high inflation in Europe.
For comparison, the Tesla Model Y is sold in China from 263,900 yuan, or about 33,240 euros. It’s still way more expensive than the Kia EV5.
Several versions
Either way, the Kia EV5 should stay below the 47,000 euro mark and would therefore be eligible for the ecological bonus of 5,000 euros, just like its American rival. And even if the price is much higher in Europe, the latter still has to worry. And for good reason, the new Kia EV5 really wants to strike a blow and is relying on many assets for this. Starting of course with its engine.
For the time being, the manufacturer does not give precise information on the power of its electric SUV, nor on its performance. On the other hand, we know that the latter should carry an LFP (lithium – iron – phosphate) battery supplied by BYD and displaying a capacity of 82 kWh for a range of 600 kilometers according to Chinese cycle CLTC. That is about 510 WLTP kilometers.
Very fast charging… or slow?
But where the EV5 could crush the Model Y is thanks to its 800-volt architecture, which should help it charge very quickly. Some rumors announce a 10 to 80% achieved in 18 minutes, but the Chinese site Autohome evoked 27 minutes to go from 30 to 80% with the largest battery, the capacity of which is not yet known at the moment. This would offer a range of 700 kilometers. There is doubt, since the Tesla requires between 20 and 25 minutes to go from 10 to 80% battery.
But that’s not all, because the SUV has a spacious and technological interior, with a large Mercedes-style digital panel. This should logically be compatible with OTA updates, even if nothing has been confirmed yet.
Note that it will be possible tobuy additional options directly via the touch screen, as some German brands in particular offer. It remains to be seen when the electric SUV will arrive with us. Il will be launched in China at the end of the yearwhile we will know more in October, during the Kia EV Day.
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