Rugged Kia EV5 Weekender Concept Previews Future Overlander EV SUV

The Kia China Style Design Team reimagines the EV5 as a rugged, overlander EV SUV with the Kia EV5 Weekender concept.

Besides numerous Chinese marques, Korean automaker Kia also took centre stage at the ongoing Auto Guangzhou 2025 motor expo to unveil its latest concept model, known as the Kia EV5 Weekender. Developed by the Kia China Style Design Team, this EV5 concept has been reimagined into a rugged, off-road-ready EV SUV that looks too good to stay a concept.

Being the fourth-ever Kia model to wear the Weekender badge, the EV5 Weekender continues the trend set by its predecessors by featuring a rugged facade while being equipped with some serious overlanding gear.

For starters, the EV5 Weekender sits higher on larger wheels shod in rugged all-terrain tyres, while the lifted suspension grants the EV SUV a more commanding stance and a noticeably greater ground clearance. Complementing this jacked-up SUV look are the grey-hued plastic underbody claddings with skid plates, wide fender extensions, chunkier side skirts, plus aggressive front and rear bumpers.

Completing the whole exterior get-go are a slew of lime green accents, a large roof rack, and dedicated mounts on the left-rear pillar of the car, allowing users to attach additional equipment to this already adventure-ready EV SUV.

The overlander treatment continues inside the EV5 Weekender concept, where it gets a pretty extensive makeover that transforms the original EV5’s cabin into a practical and livable space for an adventure. Some key changes include a new three-spoke steering wheel, a revised central console stack with multiple storage compartments, redesigned climate vents, a new 3D-textured upholstery finished in grey and lime green, and many more.

At the cargo bay, Kia designers have fitted the EV5 Weekender with a slew of storage compartments and equipment slots, plus several extra cup holders and rails on the roofliner for securing your gear or cargo.

Given its concept form, Kia has yet to unveil any specifications regarding the powertrain setup of the EV5 Weekender, although we’d reckon the concept may get a new set of dampers judging by its jacked-up look. For reference, the ongoing Kia EV5 underpins the same E-GMP platform used on many modern Kia and Hyundai EVs, where it is available in both FWD and AWD forms.

As of now, Kia has yet to unveil any plans to transform the EV5 Weekender into an actual production model. That said, we wouldn’t be surprised to see Kia offering a toned-down version of the Weekender for the EV5, possibly as a new rugged variant alongside the sporty EV5 GT, which is bound for debut soon.