All-New Kia EV5 to Launch in Canada in Spring of 2026
Following its Canadian premiere in Toronto last February, the all-new 2026 Kia EV5 will go on sale next spring and will be exclusive to Canada for the North American market, Kia confirmed today.
It’s one of three cost-accessible EVs that are slated to arrive in 2026. Similar in size to the gasoline-powered Sportage, the EV5 will slot between the upcoming EV4 sedan and the existing EV6 compact crossover. Let’s not forget the upcoming EV3, which has already launched overseas and secured the 2025 World Car of the Year Award.
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Production for the Canadian market will take place at the Gwangju plant in South Korea. Pricing, final specifications and estimated range of the EV5 will be announced closer to launch.
“Upon launch, EV5 will mark an important milestone as we introduce this vehicle as an affordable option that meets the needs of today’s modern consumer in what is Canada’s most significant segment,” David Sherrard, Director of Strategic Planning at Kia Canada, told us earlier this year.
What We Know So Far
Taking many styling cues from the company's flagship EV9, the new EV5 offers much more headroom than the EV6, and space is very good for four occupants.
Facing the driver, a large digital interface measuring almost 30 inches diagonally displays all the vital and not-so-vital information. In the pre-production unit we got the opportunity to explore, fit and finish was satisfying and in line with other recent Kia products we've driven.
The centre console is particularly accommodating, the rear seats fold completely flat, and a front trunk under the hood maximizes cargo versatility—ideal for storing an adapter or charging cables.
Built on the E-GMP platform like its electric siblings from Hyundai and Kia, the EV5 will not use 800V technology, but only 400V. Maximum charging power should therefore be lower than that of the EV6 (240 kW). Two batteries will be available, one with 60.3 kWh and the other with 81.4 kWh enabling longer range, as well as front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Another important detail: an NACS charging port will give users direct access to Tesla's Superchargers.
Alloy wheels ranging from 18 to 20 inches will be available along with eight different body colours, two of which are completely new to Kia: Magma Red and Frost Blue. Keep following The Car Guide to learn more about the 2026 Kia EV5 in the months leading up to its launch.
