The Kia EV5 WKNDR is a rough ‘n ready off-roader that sadly remains a concept for now

Kia took the wraps off its Kia EV5 WKNDR concept at the recent Guanzhou Auto Show, ushering in a rugged new look for its mid-sized, all-electric SUV along with plenty of off-road kit.

Also known as the EV5 Weekender, the EV5 WKNDR is the South Korean manufacturer’s fourth all-electric vehicle to get a rough ‘n tumble ‘off-road’ makeover along with the PV5 WKNDR and the EV9 Adventure concept, which made its debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas. If you were wondering, the EV9 Adventure also does away with vowels and goes under the under the ADVNTR moniker.

The Kia EV5 WKNDR was designed by Kia China’s design team, who introduced knobbly all-terrain tyres, dedicated blacked out six-spoke wheels, and an increased ride height to ensure the WKNDR can climb any mountain or ford any stream.

The ‘go anywhere, do anything’ aesthetic continues with wider wheel arches, chunky new side sills, a mounting bracket on the bonnet, and a roof rack. Meanwhile, the EV5’s new blacked out bumpers front and rear are embossed with ‘WKNDR’ wording.

Like Kia’s other WKNDR concepts, the EV5 is finished in a matt beige colour with lime green detailing. The latter carries over to the revised interior, which also comes with a revised steering wheel, matching seats, a new dashboard, door panels, and a screen that stretches over to the passenger’s side of the cabin.

It remains to be seen whether the EV5 WKNDR will make it to production. If it does, however, its mud-plugging credentials suggest that it would likely be powered by the incoming dual-motor, all-wheel-drive powertrain returning either 261bhp or 302bhp.

Order books for the standard Kia EV5 opened in September 2025, with UK deliveries estimated towards the end of the year. At present, the EV5 is available with just one powertrain – a front-mounted electric motor paired with an 81.4kWh battery returning up to 329 miles of range.

Pricing starts at £39,295 for the entry-level ‘Air’ model, while the mid-tier ‘GT Line’ comes in at £42,595. Meanwhile, the range-topping ‘GT Line S’ costs £47.095 without options.