Kia is holding an EV Day on Thursday, October 12, an event where it plans to unveil three new electric cars in the small-to-medium range. In the image announcing the event with five dark silhouettes, we are able to identify three models, so we rather expect one refreshed launch, perhaps with additional details for Europe (Kia EV5), and two completely new cars. The small crossover may be called the Kia EV3, the larger hatchback or sedan – the Kia EV4.
Kia EV Day 2023, let’s speculate
In the original picture, the identifiable models are the Kia EV6 (first from the left), Kia EV5 (in the middle) and Kia EV9 (right). In all cases, just look at the shape of the daytime running lights:
Kia EV3
The remaining models are still a puzzle. The one between the Kia EV5 and EV9 has the lights routed as if there is not much room for them, suggesting that it will be smaller than the Kia EV5. We think its most likely name is the Kia EV3, a model positioned in the B-SUV segment, below the Niro EV, instead of the Kia e-Soul, which after all hasn’t undergone a facelift in years. If these speculations are confirmed, the Kia EV3 could be a direct competitor to the Jeep Avenger, Peugeot E-2008 or Fiat 600e.
Kia EV4
Since the Kia EV3 will rather be a representative of the “small” segment, the rest of the car may belong to the middle (compact) class. The imposing symbol is the Kia EV4, with direct competition coming from the Renault Megane Electric, VW ID.3, MG4 or Opel Astra Electric. Of course, this is far-fetched speculation based on the fact that crossovers and SUVs receive odd numbers (5, 9), while the only non-SUV so far has been designated “6.”
In 2026, Kia aims to sell 1 million electric cars worldwide. At the launch of the Kia EV9 in Frankfurt, Germany, we heard that while 2024 will still be a relatively quiet year, 2025 could be very dense with launches – attempts are already underway to get the calendar in order. It is possible that Kia EV Day, which “is to become an annual event,” will be such an effort to organize, as new models can be shown in series.
Kia EV5
Kia is declaring as many as three launches during EV Day, and it’s likely that one of them will be the Kia EV5, as it’s included in the last shot of the event announcement (video above). The manufacturer plans to reveal the car’s technical specifications then, and may also announce its availability in countries other than China. In the Middle Kingdom, orders are expected to be accepted starting November 17.
