EV5 To Be Kia PH’s Most Affordable EV, Launching Q1 2026

Kia Philippines used the recently concluded 13th Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit to give a public preview of the EV5. The Kia EV5 is set to be the South Korean automaker’s most affordable EV offering to date, as it competes in a market that’s dominated by Tesla and the Chinese automakers.

But how is the EV5 set to be Kia’s most affordable EV in the Philippines? Well, since it sits below the EV6, the EV5 occupies a space that’s primarily filled with other compact electric SUVs like the popular Tesla Model Y. Also, unlike the EV6, the EV5 is not based on the E-GMP bespoke EV platform. Instead, it is using the N3 eK platform, which is an EV platform that came from a gas-powered model.

Anyway, from a design perspective, the Kia EV5 looks more conventional than the radically styled EV6 and EV9. The Opposites United design language is still in force here, albeit in a more conventional approach. That begins with its upright silhouette and boxy proportions, which isn’t like the segment-blurring sloping design of the EV6. Design highlights include the Starmap LED daytime running lights of the LED headlights, and that is echoed through the rear LED light clusters, too. The side profile has flush door handles, and the vehicle on display also rides on 19-inch wheels.

Moving inside, the EV5 features a geometric interior with plenty of angular lines and materials that mix sustainability and a premium feel. Two 12.3-inch screens running the latest connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system are present here, and so is an array of physical controls. Practicality is also on point in here, thanks to numerous storage areas that take advantage of its dedicated EV platform.

Moving towards the back, passengers will appreciate the tables, the USB-C fast charging ports, and the rear air conditioning vents. There’s also a panoramic sunroof, but of course, these are not yet final specifications, since the model on display is simply for preview purposes.

It is still unknown what will power the Philippine-spec Kia EV5, but that will almost depend on which country the vehicle will be sourced from. You see, the EV5 is produced in China or South Korea.

If China is the production source, the EV5 will feature either a 64.2 kWh or 88.1 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery from FinDreams. Yes, these are LFP Blade batteries from BYD’s FinDreams battery supplying business. The former is good for 400 kilometers, while the latter is good for up to 555 kilometers, both based on the WLTP cycle.

Otherwise, an 81.4 kWh lithium-ion battery is fitted to the EV5 if it will be sourced from South Korea, and this is good for a 530-kilometer WLTP-rated range. Yes, the Chinese version has a slightly longer range due to its slightly larger battery.

While we are confident that this will be Kia’s cheapest EV in the Philippines, it has to do battle with the Tesla Model Y, which has proven to be extremely popular due to its aggressive base price of under P2.4 million. In order to compete well, the EV5 should be priced less than the Model Y.