Kia started manufacturing EV5 export versions in China on April 1. The little electric SUV was only available in China up until now, but it will soon be sold to regions with both left- and right-hand drive.

The vehicle was displayed at the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) last month and is now available in right-hand drive configuration. At the ceremony, Kia Thailand revealed the car’s cost, which falls short of the more expensive EV6. According to Autohome, the vehicle will travel to Australia.

The Guangzhou Auto Show was the official launchpad for the Kia EV5 last year. It is the first worldwide EV produced in China for Kia and is based on the 800V E-GMP platform. With dimensions of 4615, 1875, and 1715 mm for length, width, and height, respectively, and a 2750 mm wheelbase, it resembles a reduced version of the EV9.

Power in China is provided by a front axle-mounted, 160 kW electric motor producing 310 Nm of torque; an all-wheel drive variant is not yet on the market. The top speed stays at 185 km/h, but an all-wheel drive version will be available for export that adds a 70 kW motor to reduce the rear axle decreasing acceleration from 8.5 seconds to 6.1 seconds. Later on, a GT version will be included.

It appears that battery power varies by market. With a choice of either a 64.2 or 88.1 kWh battery pack, the EV5 has a range of 530 km and 720 km CLTC, respectively, and there are presently six models available for purchase in China. Both battery packs employ the well-known lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Blade battery and are produced by FinDreams, a BYD subsidiary. The Korean market version uses a 58 kWh battery on the basic version and an 81 kWh pack on the long-range version. Thai models appear to use the same batteries. Certain markets may switch from LFP to NMC batteries, according to reports. V2L and V2G are supported by the Kia EV5.

The car’s i-Pedal system, which enables real one-pedal drive, helps with driving. The instrument panel and infotainment screen in the automobile are integrated into a dual 12.3-inch continuous screen arrangement. An extra 5-inch screen controls the climate. Bio-PU leather coverings and environmentally friendly recycled PET fabric are available for seats. The back seats are fully foldable.

At its 4.0 intelligent manufacturing facility in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, Yueda Kia manufactures the Kia EV5. Dongfeng, which had previously owned 25% of the joint venture, sold it to Yueda in 2021, giving Kia ownership of 50% and two other Yueda businesses ownership of the remaining 25%. By 2026, Yueda Kia hopes to have exported 200,000 automobiles annually, and it now exports to over 50 countries, with plans to expand to 80 nations.

It’s a fascinating decision to export the EV5 through a Chinese plant. Because they had to provide their joint venture partner 50% of the profits, very few JVs choose to do this until recently. About 86,000 were exported by the corporation from China, a 125% increase from the previous year. Such numbers pale in comparison to Kia’s record-breaking year of 564,039 sales in China in 2016.