Kia lately held its annual EV Day occasion abroad, and we have been one of many choose shops invited to attend in individual. 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 offered within the US.
Kia continues to ascertain itself as a bona fide mover within the EV section as half of a bigger electrification technique from the guardian firm, Hyundai Motor Group. The Group’s choice to put money into 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 extra autos set to affix the lineup, together with the EV3, EV4, and EV5. Moreover, Kia shared plans to enter the business EV section with a brand new lineup of modular BEVs referred to as “Platform Past Automobiles,” or PBVs for brief.
Throughout Kia’s second annual EV Day occasion, these fashions and a few extra surprises have been on show in Tarragona, Spain. We have been there in individual 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 clients, 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’ve been masking 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 should provide the best-in-class cabin and cargo house (490 liters within the sedan and 435 liters within the hatchback) and is at the moment being optimized to ship the best-in-class EV vary. Kia can also 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 obtainable by means of the Kia App. Listed here are some key specs:
- Battery dimension: Commonplace (58.3 kWh) and Lengthy Vary (81.4 kWh) packs will probably be obtainable
- 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 Commonplace 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 prime 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 more in-depth take a look at the sedan model:
The Kia EV4 may also 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 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 cushty ambiance whereas parked and/or charging. Theater mode optimizes the dashboard’s 30″ show, temper lighting, and optionally available Harmon/Kardon 8-speaker sound system for video streaming on newly added providers like YouTube, Netflix, and Disney+.
Per Kia, the EV4 sedan will probably be constructed at its new EVO Plant in Korea, and the hatchback model will probably 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 shouldn’t have a extra concrete timeline but.
Kia President Ho Sung Tune advised the group the automaker is focusing on a construct of 160,000 models of the EV4, 80,000 of which will probably be offered 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. Tune advised reporters the US greenback and Euro are fairly even proper now, so we will count on US pricing to be equally aggressive to Europe, a minimum of 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 so far, representing the automaker’s “imaginative and prescient for a B-segment all-electric SUV.—its smallest BEV mannequin so far.” Per Kia President and CEO, Ho Sung Tune:
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 car that defies expectations, providing revolutionary expertise and practicality past its dimension. This idea previews Kia’s future imaginative and prescient to redefine the section, bringing a brand new stage of sophistication and value 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 purpose to ship a manufacturing model that intently resembles it. Kia’s government vp and head of worldwide design, Karim Habib, advised the media that it’s a lot simpler to perform on a car’s exterior. Nonetheless, it should attempt to deliver as many components of the EV2 inside to the lots as properly.
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 revolutionary 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, will not be deliberate for a US launch, simply Europe and “different areas” in 2026.
Our greatest take a look at the PV5, which can or could 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) supplied in three physique kinds: Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab. The variants on show have been Passenger, Cargo, Crew, and WAV, which stands for “Wheelchair Accessible Automobile.”
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 properly. Which means the on a regular basis client can get their fingers on one and design it to their liking utilizing Kia AddGear, enabling clients to select from a variety of customized equipment for private and enterprise use.
On the business aspect, Kia introduced a number of partnerships to empower fleet clients with cutting-edge software program with the assistance of firms like 42dot, Geotab, and Samsung. Moreover, the PBV’s Android Automotive Working System (AAOS) will enable business clients 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 variety 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 provides as much as 5.1 m³ of capability, with normal, lengthy, and high-roof choices obtainable. There’s additionally an optionally available L-track mounting system and V2L performance
- The PV5 Chassis Cab: It will likely be delivered as an unfinished car, with a shared cabin, which makes use of the entrance part of the PV5 Cargo. It was developed with modularity to assist a variety of conversion configurations, from Drop Aspect to Freezer Field fashions
Different variants within the works embrace the PV5 Crew, which options varied 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 might be positioned on the street 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. Tune, 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. Chances are you’ll keep in mind Kia unveiled the same PV5 idea referred to as the WKNDR at SEMA 2024, so this feels imminent and will promote properly. 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 revolutionary expertise that allows the modular meeting of physique parts, akin to assembling a puzzle. This functionality permits Kia to successfully handle the varied wants of its clients by offering normal fashions together with Passenger, Cargo, Chassis-Cab, WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Automobile), and Household. Moreover, it should characteristic conversion fashions together with the Crew, Drop Aspect, Field Van, Freezer Field, Prime (superior mannequin based mostly on Passenger), and Mild Camper.
Kia stated the PV5 Cargo may have a beginning MSRP of 35,000 euros, together with VAT, and different fashions will probably be “priced competitively.”
Just like the EV4, the PBVs will probably be constructed at Kia’s new devoted EVO plant in Korea, which additionally features a conversion facility subsequent door for these personalized builds. Kia shared that PV5 gross sales will start in Korea and Europe in July, adopted by launches in extra 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 occasions throughout government interviews, however we nonetheless don’t have a concrete reply. Mr. Tune confirmed that the PV5 can be offered in Canada however cited the US’ “rooster tax” as a hurdle for market entry within the US.
On condition that data, it’s arduous to consider Kia received’t discover a workaround to get its PV5s imported into the US market, however that has been all however confirmed up to now. That can undoubtedly be a course of to control.
Different key highlights from Kia EV Day 2025
Total, EV Day 2025 showcased Kia’s continued dedication to BEVs and its spectacular innovation within the house, together with selection, modularity, and superior expertise. I all the time reiterate that Hyundai Motor Group seems to be doing every thing 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 Tune’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. Tune stated that the automaker has no plans to backtrack to ICE autos like some rivals. Tariffs got here up loads in interviews, and Mr. Tune 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 one of the best pursuits of its clients in thoughts. The placement of EV manufacturing and its place out there are key components in its enterprise technique. Nonetheless, if tariffs come up, Kias is able to pivot its technique to proceed offering clients with one of the best expertise at a aggressive worth (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. Tune’s response was forthcoming and sincere (once more fairly refreshing from a CEO):
Chinese language manufacturers are a giant burden to all OEMs. Their costs are considerably decrease, and so they’re rising in new markets. We’re rising too. Perhaps somebody is shedding market share, however we aren’t. We can not meet up with that worth 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 for bringing the EV5 to the US however can not affirm something at the moment. So, in complete, we all know the US will see gross sales of the Kia EV3 and EV4 for certain; the PV5 and EV5 are query marks, and the EV2 is a definitive no.
Total, Kia’s EV Day 2035 showcased the model’s continued innovation and growth into new segments led by among the greatest bang to your buck in expertise and charging capabilities. Like Hyundai, Kia is changing into an absolute vanguard in BEVs (one in all its inside 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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