Spy photography points to a refreshed design for the mid-size electric crossover, along with a substantially reworked cabin.
The Kia EV5 remains a relatively new entrant in markets such as Canada and Europe, where the mid-size electric crossover has only recently reached dealerships. In China, however, the model debuted earlier and will mark its third anniversary this year. Given the accelerated development cycles within today’s automotive industry, a mid-cycle update is already approaching.
Spy footage obtained by South Korean YouTube channel HealerTV captures camouflaged examples of the revised EV5 on a transport carrier. Although much of the vehicle is concealed, the images offer insight into the direction of the forthcoming facelift.
Exterior details are largely obscured beneath heavy fabric coverings, but visible cues suggest revised front and rear bumpers with a more substantial, rugged appearance.
The styling appears to draw influence from the overland-focused EV5 WKNDR concept shown at last year’s Guangzhou Auto Show. It remains unclear whether this tougher aesthetic will apply across the entire lineup or signal the introduction of a more adventure-oriented trim, similar in spirit to the X-Pro variant of the Telluride.
A brief glimpse of the front lighting reveals a potential shift toward multiple compact but high-intensity LED elements. This configuration resembles the lighting signatures seen on other recent Kia models, including the K4 and K5.
The most significant updates appear to be inside the cabin. The current EV5 mirrors other Kia electric vehicles with a single wide glass panel housing dual 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment, separated by a dedicated climate-control interface.
Spy images of the refreshed interior, though pixelated, indicate a broader widescreen arrangement that extends further across the dashboard toward the passenger side. This layout resembles the display configuration seen in the China-market Hyundai Elexio and previewed previously in the EV5 WKNDR concept.
Reports from The Korean Car Blog suggest that the updated EV5 may also debut Hyundai Motor Group’s forthcoming Pleos infotainment platform, representing a step forward in software integration and user interface capability.
Beyond aesthetic and digital revisions, mechanical updates may also be under consideration. One of the EV5’s limitations compared with certain competitors is its reliance on a 400V electrical architecture, which constrains peak charging speeds.
Industry speculation indicates that the facelifted model could adopt an 800V system, aligning it with Kia’s EV6 and EV9 and enabling faster DC charging performance.
Additional details are expected to emerge within approximately a year, when the updated EV5 is anticipated to make its official debut. However, unless Kia revises its regional strategy, these developments may remain largely irrelevant to the U.S. market, as the EV5 is currently slated for North American availability only in Canada.
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