It’s official: The Kia EV5 is not launching in the US
Kia has confirmed that the EV5 will not be launching in the US. The model was unveiled at the Chengdu Motor Show back in 2023 and arrived in China later that year. Then in 2024, an international version appeared, when it was rumored to be on the way to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.
In a recent announcement, Kia confirmed that the EV5 would be exclusive to Canada in North America. This appears to rule out launches in the US and Mexico, despite earlier conflicting reports. Unfortunately, the company has not revealed the reasoning behind this decision.
Kia describes the EV5 as an “affordable option” with a design similar to the EV9, but a smaller footprint. There will be eight different colors and various trim levels for customers to choose from. The entry-level option will be a front-wheel drive electric vehicle with a 60.3 kWh battery. There will also be versions with all-wheel drive and a longer range thanks to an 81.4 kWh battery. Inside the five-door EV is a 30-inch panoramic screen for the driver, five seats and mood lighting. Plus, Kia suggests that there is plenty of storage space across the trunk and frunk, and the rear seats can fold completely flat.
Even though the compact SUV will not be available to customers in the US, Canadian owners will have access to Tesla Superchargers across both the US and Canada, thanks to the built-in North American Charging Standard (NACS) port. The Kia EV5 is expected to land in dealerships across Canada at some point in 2026. Though pricing has yet to be officially revealed, it is expected to start for between $40,000 and $50,000. The new model will also be making an appearance at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, starting February 14th.
