A few weeks ago we shared a picture of mysterious compact SUV and we were wondering which model could be. Now we have more details on future Kia dedicated EV models, the first one will be a Soul-Seltos size to be called EV4 or EV5 and then one with a larger size similar to IONIQ 7, to be called EV7 or EV8.
Despite at first it was unclear to know which brand this car belongs to, we tried first to take a look to current Hyundai and Kia SUV line-up and try to place it. While Hyundai already launched refreshed Kona and all-new Tucson, Kia today released its 5th generation Sportage long wheelbase while the short wheelbase was already spied, and it was to early for IONIQ 7.
This SUV is in an early stage of development as it doesn’t have even taillights. The mysterious vehicle looked longer and wider than the vehicles parked around, like a first gen K5/Optima, but more or less the same as the Tucson ahead.
But after a few days we received a new picture that clarified things. Despite the picture generated some controversy, as we have been contacted by a company related to Hyundai Motor Group forcing to remove the pictures, we have the opportunity to take a look to the trunk lid and this SUV and after looking at it you will easily recognized the EV6 design cues.
This will be Kia Larger Electric SUV (similar to IONIQ 7)
So now and thanks to the information we received, we can confirm Kia has already has two SUVs under development, the first, with the size of the Soul-Seltos (this is the one spied recently) and the other that will have a size compared to a Telluride/Palisade. Both models will be built under E-GMP Platform.
The two pictures that are attached to this article correponds to teaser images of this two SUV models. Kia already has under development the first SUV, that with around 4,30 meters could have a similar interior space as the new Sportage thanks to the bigger wheelbase and the skatebord type platform.
This model will arrive sometime in 2022. The larger SUV should arrive in the same time as the IONIQ 7, 2023-2024, so it is a little bit early to see prototypes. Kia plans to launch another 4 electric vehicles in 2026. This models are expected to be a hatchback, a sedan and also a coupe is expected.
I don’t think this is early development, and I don’t think it’s missing taillights. It looks like final road testing is about to start.
This is probably the picture of the next gen 2023 e-Soul. The roofline is taken from the soul. If usual launch schemes are to be followed it will be ready for order next October. Might be a small SUV that will be manufactured in the US as the primary market for the soul has been the US?
The taillights are probably limited to the windows on the rear of the car.
So I think this will be called EV4. The taillights are the same shape as the EV6. So maybe this might be a new signature for Kia’s ev’s just like pixels for Hyundai.