The Chinese-built Kia EV5 SUV will receive a suspension and steering overhaul in late 2026 to improve the driving experience of the relatively popular electric SUV.
EV5 has been a success for its South Korean maker, with 4787 examples of the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X rival finding Australian customers in 2025.
Pictured: 2026 Kia EV5 WKNDR (Weekender) speculative render
But senior Kia executives privately acknowledge that the ride and handling of the SUV model is not up to scratch.
When the EV5 landed in Australia in late 2024, Chasing Cars was among reviewers praising its clever interior packaging while pinging unusually loose body control and overly soft damping.
In recent years, Kia Australia’s local ride and handling program has resulted in remarkably consistent cars that suit our roads. The EV5 stands out for its clumsy dynamics.
Retuned ride and handling a focus for 2026 EV5 update
Despite the EV5 exceeding sales targets notwithstanding its mediocre road manners, Kia Australia will update the mechanicals later this year in a bid to make the EV5 better to drive.
Pictured: 2026 Kia EV5 WKNDR (Weekender) speculative render
Kia Australia general manager of product planning Roland Rivero confirmed to Chasing Cars that the facelifted EV5 will launch in Australia in the last quarter of 2026.
And you can expect big changes inside and under the skin — including a big suspension and steering upgrade led by Kia Australia chief engineer for ride and handling Graeme Gambold.
“Let’s just say there are a lot of enhancements,” said Rivero.
Pictured: Current model 2026 Kia EV5 GT-Line
“It will not just be visuals. It is an opportunity for Graeme to enhance the ride and handling. There are a lot of features being added as well, including a new Kia Connect infotainment system.
“It will be more than skin deep,” he acknowledged.
Kia and Hyundai have worked to improve Chinese hardware situation
Both Kia Australia and sibling brand Hyundai Australia are understood to have worked to improve both the quality and tunability of suspension and steering hardware used in Chinese-built models.
Pictured: Current model 2026 Kia EV5 GT-Line
Chasing Cars understands that some of the physical hardware used for the existing EV5 product was less adjustable by the Australian team than expected.
That situation may be resolved for the EV5 facelift. In the meantime, Hyundai has worked to secure superior hardware for its own debut Chinese-built EV, the Elexio, which launches imminently in Australia.
While the EV5 is sold in the United Kingdom in right-hand-drive format, the UK decided to source its version of the EV5 from South Korea — and the Korean car has an entirely different rear suspension and steering setup.
Pictured: Upcoming 2026 Hyundai Elexio
It is not yet known whether the Chinese-made EV5 facelift will adopt the Korean car’s differentiated rear end.
New 27-inch touchscreen expected for interior upgrade
Inside, it is likely that the EV5 will pick up a similar infotainment system to the Hyundai Elexio, based around a huge 27-inch touchscreen that stretches from the centre to the passenger side of the cabin, plus a HUD-style instrument cluster.
Expect more minor changes to the exterior design of the EV5, with new paint colours and alloy wheel designs the most likely plus some alterations to the lighting.
Pictured: 2026 Kia EV5 WKNDR (Weekender) interior speculative render
The current EV5 lineup consists of three grades (Air, Earth and GT-Line) with two battery sizes, with pricing starting from $56,770 before on-road costs.
When it lands locally, the facelifted EV5 will also score Kia’s new eight-year battery warranty.