Kia EV5 WKNDR World Premiere: Secret Features That Turn It Into A Mobile Basecamp

Kia doesn’t just want to sell you an electric sport utility vehicle with the EV5 WKNDR. It wants to hand you an excuse to drop everything, throw some gear in the back, and disappear into the wild for a while. This concept, created entirely by the Kia Design China team, is built around a simple idea that feels very real for a lot of us: what if your car could genuinely help you escape your routine, not just drive you through it?

The EV5 WKNDR takes Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy and turns it into something you can feel. On the outside, it looks tough and ready, but never aggressive. Extra ground clearance, extended wheel arches, protective body cladding, and serious all terrain tires make it clear this thing is meant to leave the pavement without hesitation. Front and rear retractable tow hooks are there for the moments when the trail turns out to be a little more than you bargained for.

Up top, a panoramic roof rack is ready for traction boards, camping gear, or whatever your weekend looks like. Along the side, a clever pegboard integrated into the window area lets you hang tools or accessories so they are always in reach. At the front, a distinctive light signature wraps around a reimagined Tiger Nose face, while a functional hood board hides a built in action camera to capture your drives from the driver’s point of view. The rear keeps that same confident energy with a geometric bumper and gunmetal accents that make the whole vehicle look planted and capable.

Inside, the EV5 WKNDR feels more like a flexible basecamp than a conventional cabin. A slidable display and clean, flat style human machine interface create a simple, calm digital space instead of an overload of screens. The center console becomes a kind of adventure hub, with a rotatable armrest that hides a cradle for a walkie talkie when you go off the grid, plus an anti insect camping lamp that brings light, scent, and gentle sound when you settle in for the night.

The seating is designed to adapt to your plans rather than lock you into one position. The modular seats are ventilated, can rotate, and fold into footrests or extended storage. A detachable jump seat can be lifted out of the vehicle and used as instant outdoor seating around the fire. In the back, a rail system makes it easy to rearrange luggage, and the trunk cover flips into a portable table for quick meals or gear organization.

Color and materials quietly reinforce the outdoor theme. The exterior shade called Birch mirrors pale tree bark and hides scratches from dirt trails. Inside, Spruce Blue sets a calm, forest dawn mood, while bright Citrus Green accents borrowed from outdoor safety gear keep things feeling energetic and modern. Surfaces use bio based polyurethane derived from corn instead of traditional leather, paired with three dimensional knit fabrics that are light, breathable, and durable.

Digital features act like a co pilot rather than a distraction. Key information such as battery level, driving range, and navigation is presented clearly, and the system can help you plan trips with friends, share routes, and manage camping checklists. The detachable trailer extends that idea even further, turning the EV5 WKNDR into a full mobile basecamp for climbing trips, outdoor cooking, or quiet stargazing nights.