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Smart Return To Ultra Compact EV Segment, Kia EV5 Arrives Under 40k and Honda Revises EV Targets | 03 Sep 2025

EV News Daily - Technology and Business of EVs Sep 03, 2025 28 min

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About this episode

Kia's new EV5 enters the competitive ultra-compact EV market with a starting price under £40,000, aiming to rival models like the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID4. Meanwhile, Honda has revised its EV targets, shifting focus towards hybrids, while Smart announces an electric successor to its iconic city car. The episode also discusses the performance of Tesla in Europe, the rise of BYD, and highlights the innovative solar car Sophie 8X that recently won a major challenge. Insights on pricing strategies and market trends make this episode a comprehensive update on the EV landscape.

Topics: kia ev5 honda ev targets smart electric car tesla performance byd profits sophie 8x solar car ultra-compact evs hybrid focus market competition pricing strategies

Technical Too Afraid to Ask

Ethan Llamas (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Kia EV5

"...art return to the ultra-compact EV segment. Kia's EV5 arrives under 40K, and Honda revises its EV targe..."

Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Nissan Aria

"...that is right in the heart of Tesla Model Y, ID4, Nissan Aria Territory, in fact for some of those, it's consid..."

Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Tesla Model

"...rders, a 39295. Now that is right in the heart of Tesla Model Y, ID4, Nissan Aria Territory, in fact for some o..."

Dennis Elzinga (CC BY 2.0)

Car

Volkswagen Id4

"... Now that is right in the heart of Tesla Model Y, ID4, Nissan Aria Territory, in fact for some of those..."

Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Kia Sportage

"...d effectively the electric version of the popular Sportage, see those everywhere. Kia gives you three trim l..."

Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Hyundai Genesis

"...ingle model uses the same battery. So the old Kia Genesis Hyundai thing of offering different battery sizes..."

Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Kia EV3

"price. I do that with the EV3, still my current crush by the way, but not on th..."

Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)

Car

Kia EV9

"...don't they? And I think it's better, there's a GT EV9, which is a big three-row seven-seater. If they m..."

Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Volkswagen Golf

"...you know, for a long time, I argue the Volkswagen Golf was the perfect car. Not too big, not too small, ..."

Wlb5V (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Honda Prologue

"...ategy shift comes as Honda's only current EV, the Prologue, is doing really well."

Vauxford (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Land Rover Defender

"...it two door, three door? How would you describe a Defender? Cause I would call a three door vehicle like a h..."

Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Land Rover Range Rover

"...ly good thing in my mind because the new electric Range Rover looks exactly the same as every other Range Rover"

Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Citroën ë-C3

"...gives 1500 quid off cars like the related Citroen EC3. But Fiat hasn't yet either done the paperwork"

Internet Archive Book Images (No restrictions)

Car

Dacia Spring

"...dable, this might be the moment. Look, I love the Dacia Spring and I really love the Leap Motor T03."

Car

T3 Leap Motor T03

"...ok, I love the Dacia Spring and I really love the Leap Motor T03. They're around 14,000 pounds, but stylish, they'..."

Calreyn88 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Renault 5

"... it looks good or is a throwback to the past. The Renault 5 fits the bill as well. If you can get that budget..."

Virtual-Pano (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Citroen Ami

"Not sure if that's coming to the UK. Compared to the Citroën AMI, the little Silence or Silence S4 offers more tech,"

Alexander Migl (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Mercedes-Benz EQE

"I think it's pragmatic if nothing else. So the EQE sedan, EQE SUV, are getting the axe next year,"

Crisco 1492 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Mercedes-Benz Cclass

"They're replacing both with something better. The C-Class EQ drops next year and the GLC EQ debuts at this month's IAA Munich show."

Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Mercedes-Benz Eclass

"There will be a direct successor and that'll be the E-Class, because it's back in 2027."

Dinkun Chen (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

Mercedes-Benz Sclass

"we're not sure about how long. And so the new S-Class and E-Class will have that traditional three box shape"

TTTNIS (CC0)

Car

Hyundai Ioniq 3

"... efficient, but sadly, not enough. Now let's talk Hyundai IONIQ 3. Now the Hyundai IONIQ 3 is an interesting vehi..."

Matti Blume (CC BY-SA)

Car

Peugeot E208

"... 2026 up against, again, that segment, Renault 5, Peugeot E208, Kia EV2, Fiat Grande Panda."

Alexander-93 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Car

5 Renault 5

"...n starts in 2026 up against, again, that segment, Renault 5, Peugeot E208, Kia EV2, Fiat Grande Panda."

AutoGids (CC BY 4.0)

Car

Kia EV2

"that segment, Renault 5, Peugeot E208, Kia EV2, Fiat Grande Panda. Now, GWM just dropped two new..."

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24 cars featured

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