2023 Kia EV5 electric SUV revealed

One of Australia’s favourite car brands is on a roll and has just revealed another high-rider that is sure to rocket up people’s shopping lists.

Kia has taken the covers off its new EV5 electric SUV.

The Toyota RAV4 sized all electric SUV was revealed at the Chengdu motor show in China.

It shares its brawny looks with the larger Kia EV9, which is due in Australia later this year.

The Kia EV5 will target popular EVs such as the Tesla Model Y.

The chunky styling features broad shoulders and a boxy silhouette. As with other electric cars there is no front grille, but the EV5 maintains the same shapes as other Kia’s and its signature vertical headlights are attached by a light bar that runs the length of the bonnet.

Kia says the five seat electric SUV is designed for young families and its long wheelbase – the distance between front and rear wheels – and square profile will help liberate plenty of interior space.

It will initially go on sale in China before expanding to global markets.

Kia hasn’t revealed specification yet but images of the vehicle show the EV5 shares lots of its interior fit out with the brand’s other electric cars.

There are dual 12.3-inch digital screens; one for the infotainment and the other for the driver’s instruments.

Kia says the EV5 will have 64-colour ambient lighting, which will act like mood lighting for the different driving modes and will be used for safety alerts such as when you break the speed limit.

The front seats have gone back to the future with a bench-like pew.

One odd feature is the what appears to be a bench seat in the front row with padded seat material in between the driver and front seat passenger with a smaller floating style console down near the floor.

The EV5 will initially be sold in China later this year before being rolled out to other global markets.

The boxy shape will make for a roomy interior.

Kia is on the electric car offensive as it prepares to launch 14 battery electric vehicles by 2027 and sell 1.2m electrified vehicles a year by 2030.

Kia is also believed to be launching an electric ute by the middle of the decade, which would be expected to be sold in Australia.