ALTHOUGH Kia Australia has confirmed the EV4 small passenger sedan and hatchback will probably be bought in Australia, it’s but to resolve on the PV5 business automobile; and says this market is unlikely to see a manufacturing model of the EV2 small SUV idea unveiled this week at its 2025 EV Day occasion in Spain.
Whereas the PV5 – which will probably be in-built individuals mover, cargo van and cab-chassis codecs with extra variations deliberate – is on Kia Australia’s want record, manufacturing of the EV2 in Slovakia is anticipated to stymie the enterprise case for this Stonic-sized mannequin.
Kia Australia stated European EV2 sourcing would “current some hurdles on the subject of logistics and price” and deemed “extremely unlikely” to be launched right here. It’s more likely to serve primarily as Kia’s foil to competitors from Chinese language BEVs on the continent when it hits the market in 2026.
Nonetheless, bringing the EV4 sedan and hatch to Australia will Kia’s quickly broadening BEV portfolio, which began with the Niro crossover (additionally obtainable as a hybrid) however accelerated in earnest with devoted electrical fashions together with the EV6 giant SUV, EV9 higher giant SUV, EV5 medium SUV and soon-to-arrive EV3 small SUV.
The Korean car-maker says it’s aiming to introduce 15 new BEVs globally by 2027 however Kia Australia issued a press release reiterating its dedication to increasing its battery electrical automobile (BEV) line-up with as many fashions as doable – offered they go well with native circumstances and client calls for.
Whereas not but confirmed for Australia, the PV5 will probably be Kia’s first manufacturing mannequin in its world Platform Past Automobile (PBV) enterprise technique. The ‘automotive derived van’ will probably be supplied in numerous codecs designed to go well with business and personal consumers.
The passenger variant can accommodate as much as eight occupants, offering Kia with an electrical different to the favored Carnival individuals mover that’s obtainable with petrol, diesel and hybrid drivetrains.
Kia says that in individuals mover format, the PV5 “may be optimised for baggage or tenting situations and has been developed with ride-hailing use instances in thoughts”.
The Cargo mannequin will probably be Kia’s first supply van because the Pregio that was axed in 2006, the electrical newcomer claimed to offer as much as 5.1 cubic metres of load area within the lengthy wheelbase, excessive roof model.
Normal- and long-wheelbase choices will even be obtainable with the common roof peak.
In cab-chassis guise, the PV5 platform may be tailored for specialised functions corresponding to ambulances, supply vans, motorhomes or a drop-side ute with numerous additional configurations to be developed and provided by each Kia and third-party physique builders.
A crew-cab Cargo variant can also be deliberate together with a wheelchair accessible model with built-in ramp and common harness plus flip-up seating designed to ease ingress and egress for all.
The front-wheel drive PV5 has a 120kW/250Nm traction motor. Battery pack sizes of 51.5kWh and 71.2kWh will probably be supplied throughout all PV5 variants, with a smaller 43.3kWh possibility on cargo fashions destined for last-mile supply duties.
Kia quotes a battery vary of as much as 400km with a 30-minute quick charging time.
A shock third automobile showcased at Kia’s 2025 EV Day was the Idea EV2, a light-segment SUV that gives perception into Kia’s plans for its entry-level electrical providing.
Given the model’s latest type with ideas, the manufacturing model’s styling is anticipated to stay trustworthy to the present automotive however a number of the inside’s extra outlandish themes – and the rear-hinged again doorways – will virtually actually be toned down by the point the Slovakian manufacturing facility comes on-line.
Some improvements, together with the customisable in-window message shows, detachable wi-fi audio system or pop-up cargo dividers, may come to fruition.
With a 45kWh battery delivering roughly 350km of vary, the manufacturing model of the EV2 would probably compete with upcoming inexpensive electrical automobiles such because the BYD Dolphin and MG 4.
Quick-charging functionality allows a ten to 80 per cent cost in 20 minutes.
Regardless of potential attraction to city Australian consumers, the EV2’s European manufacturing location presents vital obstacles for native introduction.
Kia Australia has beforehand highlighted challenges with sourcing European-built automobiles competitively for the Australian market, making the EV2’s native prospects dim regardless of curiosity from the Australian operation.
The EV4 is Kia’s first foray into electrical passenger automobiles following an preliminary roll-out of battery powered SUVs and can launch globally all through 2025, starting in South Korea imminently however with Australian timing not but confirmed.
Kia introduced world specs for the EV4 on the occasion in Spain however Australia’s line-up for the BEV counterpart to the petrol-powered K4 sedan and hatch stays to be determined.
It shares a lot technically with the EV3, together with a 400-volt model of dad or mum firm Hyundai Motor Group’s Electrical International Modular Platform that’s primarily front-wheel drive not like the 800-volt model used for bigger fashions together with the EV6 and EV9 which are biased towards a rear-wheel drive structure.
A 30-inch digital show made up of twin 12.3-inch shows separated by a 5.3-inch panel, is dwelling to a ‘automobile good TV’ system offering entry to leisure providers corresponding to YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ together with video games and karaoke plus the flexibility so as to add additional options in future by an app retailer.
Kia makes certain to level out in its media supplies that “intuitive-to use bodily buttons” type a part of the EV4’s human-machine interface.
This works in parallel with numerous modes for spending time within the automotive whereas charging, together with a ‘relaxation’ setting that reclines the seats and prompts a temper lamp or ‘theatre’ setting that “optimises settings for the 30-inch-wide display screen show, inside lighting and audio system (an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon setup will probably be obtainable on increased trim ranges)”.
On the transfer, Kia is concentrating on top-tier security rankings from world watchdogs together with EuroNCAP, US NCAP and the US Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security by bodily engineering measures and superior driver help and security applied sciences.
In sedan guise, the EV4 is about 10mm longer than a Tesla Mannequin 3 at 4730mm however barely taller (1480mm vs 1443mm) and narrower (1860mm vs 1933mm). The Kia’s wheelbase is 2820mm towards the Tesla’s 2875mm. Boot area of 490 litres is quoted for the EV4 sedan (Mannequin 3: 594 litres together with underfloor storage) however no frunk (the Tesla gives one other 88 litres of cargo capability below the bonnet).
As a hatchback, the EV4 is trimmed to 4430mm lengthy (an MG 4 is 4287mm) and provides 5mm to the peak whereas width and wheelbase match these of the sedan. Boot area is 435 litres (MG 4: 363 litres).
The slippery sedan type issue allows a 630km WLTP vary for variations with the bigger 81.4kWh battery or 430km for the 58.3kWh pack. Hatchbacks reduce these figures to 590km (massive battery) and 410km (common battery).
All variants share a 150kW entrance motor, which means the smaller battery pack yields faster 0-100km/h acceleration (7.4 seconds performs 7.7 seconds) on the best way to a ruled 170km/h high velocity.
