Kia’s Incoming EV5 Races In With Middle-Row Seats That Swivel Around

Kia is about to zoom in with a new addition to its electrical vehicle lineup, the EV5. While offering much of the same as its other sibling, like the EV6, the car also allows drivers to zip around town with a little lounge in their backseats.
 
The vehicle is currently in its conceptual phase. However, these new images surfaced at the Kia Chinese EV Day event, stating that the EV5 is set to enter the Chinese market later this year, with an expansion into the American market in the near future.

If the pictures are anything to go by, Kia’s latest vehicle might carve a niche in the automotive sector as it blurs the line between function and comfort.
 
Inside the car is a large infotainment system and yoke steering, now almost standard for modern EVs. The party, however, is very much in the back.

The renders show the middle-row seats are able to swivel around to the back and even to face outside once all rear-hinged doors open outwards. It may not be practical while cruising down the highway, but if you’ve stopped by the beach to watch the sunset or are out camping, the seats could be a transportable mini-couch.

On the other hand, its exterior includes 21-inch wheels, a roof spoiler, a boxy ‘Digital Tiger Face’—or a grille-less nose—and aerodynamic lines streaking across its body.

Motortrend does note that sometimes concept images are just that, concepts. However, Kia’s ideas for its EV5 are not the most outlandish in the automotive world. After the Rivian RT1 built an entire outdoor kitchen into its car and the Honda CR-Vs had picnic tables, a swiveling middle row is not too far-fetched.

Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until production is set in motion sometime this year to see if these ideas come to fruition.
 
 
 
[via MotroTrend and Inverse, images via Kia]