The EV5 is expected to be among Kia’s best-selling vehicles. Following its initial success, Kia revealed plans to introduce a new high-volume electric SUV. Here’s what we know about the new EV so far.
Kia announces a new EV SUV for 2029
After posting its best first-quarter sales in company history, Kia revealed its ambitious plans to drive “exponential growth” over the next four years.
During its CEO Investor Day, the Korean automaker announced its mid- to long-term strategy. By 2030, Kia aims to sell 4.13 million vehicles, up from roughly 3.14 million last year.
Following a major rebrand in 2021, Kia’s global sales have surged by over 58%, but the company is betting on new electrified vehicles, software, autonomous driving, and robotics to sustain that growth.
“EVs, HEVs, autonomous driving, and robotics will serve as key drivers for Kia’s fastest growth to date,” Kia’s CEO, Ho Sung Song, said during the event. The plans include its body-on-frame pickup with hybrid and extended range electric vehicle (EREV) powertrains, due out by 2030.
Kia will also launch three new all-electric vehicles, expanding its lineup to 14. By 2030, Kia plans to offer 9 electric SUVs, 2 passenger EVs, and 3 PBV electric vans.
After launching the EV2 in Europe earlier this month, Kia already offers an electric option in nearly every segment alongside the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, and EV9. Meanwhile, Kia is doubling down on the “high-volume SUV segment” with the EV5 and a new C-segment SUV EV.
The EV5 is a midsize electric SUV that’s about the size of the Sportage. After launching in China in 2023, it’s been a key part of Kia’s comeback in the country. After opening orders in Europe, Canada, Australia, South Korea, and other global markets, Kia expects it to become one of its best-selling models.
In Australia, it’s the 8th best-selling EV, just ahead of the BYD Atto 3 and Atto 1 through the first three months of 2026. In Canada, Kia said it expects the EV5 to become its top-selling vehicle, electric or gas.
Kia will “capture the largest segment market demand by capitalizing on the EV5’s initial success to develop the next best-selling model,” the company said.
The new C-segment electric SUV will arrive in 2029 as Kia’s main growth driver. Kia expects to sell around 85,000 units of the new EV SUV annually by 2030, more than double the roughly 34,000 forecasted for the EV5.
Kia’s upcoming electric SUV will be based on its next-generation EV platform, which the company said will deliver an up to 40% increase in battery capacity, a 9% improvement in motor output, and 15% higher energy density with its fifth-generation batteries.
In addition, upcoming Kia EVs will feature a new infotainment system and Level 2++ autonomous driving capabilities on highways.
Kia plans to introduce its first software-defined vehicle (SDV) by the end of 2027 using Hyundai’s CODA architecture, Pleos Connect infotainment, and Gleo AI in-vehicle Agenic AI.
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