Kia shows off new off-road EV concepts and they look like the perfect apocalypse escape rides

• EV9 ADVNTR and PV 5WKNDR Concept go big on off-road thrills
• They are designed to showcase the flexibility of Kia’s EV platforms
• One-of-a-kind vehicles not for production… yet

The annual Specialty Equipment Market Association show – or SEMA for short – brings together the great and the good of the vehicle aftermarket world, often acting as a springboard for wild and outlandish custom and concept cars.

Held in Las Vegas, the show has recently become an excuse for some of the world’s largest automakers to reveal models that probably won’t go into production but absolutely steal the show anyway… and Kia did just that this year.

Unveiling the EV9 ADVNTR Concept EV SUV and the PV 5WKNDR Concept electric van (someone turn Kia’s spell check on), the brand aimed to showcase the versatility, ruggedness, and general outdoor potential of its existing EV9 platform and prove that its recently announced line of vans and commercial vehicles can actually be exciting.

As a result, the EV9 ADVNTR concept was physically on the marque’s stand in the Las Vegas Convention Center, packing a redesigned front end, a roof-mounted rack with a light bar, and reinforced rocker panels along the sides.

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Raised suspension, built-in tow hooks, ultra-rugged tires, and a line of accessories (think coolers and shovels) also elevated the concept above and beyond its already handsome EV9, three-row electric SUV sibling.

Kia is keen to point out that these are ‘one-of-a-kind’ vehicles with zero production intent. Still, the EV9-based concept showcases a potential avenue for future spin-off models or…