Kia’s EV5 WKNDR Concept Looks Like The Perfect Rival For The Rivian R2

• The Kia EV5 WKNDR takes the electric crossover to new heights.
• It features an off-road makeover, with wider wheel arches, knobby tires, a lift kit and more.
• The interior also got a serious revamp.

This is the Kia EV5 WKNDR concept, and I’m not going to lie–it’s a looker. Revealed at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China, the rugged-looking electric SUV has all the right ingredients to capture a decent chunk of the American market, where it could go head-to-head with the upcoming Rivian R2.

Whether or not the Kia EV5 will ever make it stateside–in the tamer road-oriented version or otherwise–is another story, though. Last time I checked, Kia said it had no plans of bringing the affordable EV to the U.S., most likely because of the hiked import tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars. That may or may not change, seeing as the five-seat crossover is also made in Singapore. The EV5 will, however, head to Canada.

With that out of the way, one can dream that the boxy EV5 WKNDR concept will someday be on dealer lots across the country. With widened wheel arches, chunky off-road tires, a lift kit and a Land Rover Defender-style accessory plate on the left C-pillar, the adventure-ready SUV could be a hit among American buyers who occasionally wander off the beaten path in their daily drivers.

A lot has changed inside, too. The Kia EV5 WKNDR (pronounced “Weekender”) got a huge infotainment touchscreen that extends to the passenger side, a tiny digital instrument cluster and funky lime green accents throughout the cabin. The rear seats look particularly interesting–good luck convincing your friends to sit in the middle seat.

The trunk features several rails where custom-made accessories can be secured, from drink holders to external speakers that can be removed with a simple twist.

Kia didn’t say a word about what powers the rugged EV5 WKNDR concept, but it’s likely that the standard model’s underpinnings are unchanged. In Asia, the electric crossover is based on a toned-down version of the e-GMP platform that powers cars like the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 9. These two cars get the 800-volt version of the architecture, while the Kia EV5 is capped at 400V, which results in lower charging speeds but also a lower price tag.

Slotting between the EV3 and EV6, the EV5 can be had with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, so the basics for a decent overlander are there. Kia just needs a nudge at the right time to make it a reality.