A visibly updated Kia EV5 has been spotted in South Korea without any camouflage. Found in an underground car park by our colleagues at Shorts Car, it combines a new, more rugged bumper design with a completely different dashboard layout, and it raises an obvious question: is this the EV5 facelift, or a special version for other markets?
Earlier this year, we showed you the first prototypes of the EV5 facelift, which is expected in early 2027 (EV5 facelift leaked). This car looks very similar to what we predicted, but Kia has not confirmed what it is.
A Front End Inspired By The EV5 WKNDR
The hood and headlights are the same as on the current Korean EV5. The difference is lower down: the smooth, grille-less nose gains a small black accent, and the bumper has a new shape with vertical elements and gray inward-angled details. According to Shorts Car, these features come directly from the EV5 WKNDR concept (EV5 WKNDR unveiled), although here the vertical parts are finished in the same tone as the rest of the bumper instead of a contrasting color.
New Wheels And A Bolder Rear Bumper
From the side, the car is almost identical to the current model, including the roof rails, pillars, flush door handles and side skirts. The exception is the wheels, which have a cleaner aerodynamic design with a cover hiding the bolts.
At the back, the spoiler, rear window and taillights do not change, but the bumper does. As at the front, its design follows the WKNDR, with a thicker shape that sticks out further and gives the EV5 a tougher SUV look.
A Completely Different Interior Layout
The biggest change is inside. On the current Korean model, a long display runs from the driver's side to the center of the dashboard. On this car, the wide screen runs from the center of the dashboard toward the passenger side, while a slim display sits behind the steering wheel.
This is the layout we described in February, when we explained how Kia will adapt to Pleos Connect, with a small cluster behind the steering wheel and a main screen that extends toward the passenger (EV5 facelift interior leaked). Shorts Car also suspects that this car runs Pleos, but the screens were off, so that remains unconfirmed.
Judging by the interior, this looks like the model for China: the layout is the same as on the Chinese Kia Seltos, which gets a 27-inch ultra-thin wide display that global models do not have (Kia Seltos launched in China). We do not know yet whether this setup will reach Korea or Europe.
There are other interior changes too:
Center console: the buttons at the front are gone, and the storage area now has a cover for a cleaner look.
Door trims: simpler designs in both the front and rear doors.
Steering wheel: according to Shorts Car, it is the same as on the current Korean model.
Trunk: the side panels keep their AddGear mounting points, and there is no third row of seats.
Facelift Or Export Model?
Several details make this car difficult to identify:
A paper inside the car lists its market: according to Shorts Car, it says the Philippines, so this could be an export model rather than a version for Korea.
The timing fits a facelift: the EV5 went on sale in China in 2023, so a refresh should arrive by around 2027.
There is no camouflage: Hyundai and Kia usually hide even minor changes on upcoming Korean models, which makes it surprising to see this car uncovered.
No cameras are visible: Shorts Car could not find any on the front, sides, rear or under the mirrors.
Shorts Car hopes that this design will reach Korea as the EV5 facelift, but admits it does not know whether it will.
Our Take
The dashboard matches what we have been reporting since February, and it has the same layout as the Chinese Seltos, so this appears to be the model for China. That, along with the Philippines paper, is a reason for caution: we do not know yet whether this setup will reach Korea or Europe. We also do not know whether it brings the charging improvements expected from the facelift, one of the current EV5's weak points because of its 400V system.
You can watch the full walkaround from Shorts Car below.
Photo Gallery
Photos and video: Shorts Car.
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