Kia EV5 electric SUV a step closer to Australia

The all-new Kia EV5 – an electric SUV similar in size to a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid – is one significant step closer to Australian showrooms.

Kia Australia has confirmed there will be three versions of the EV5 – Air, Earth, and GT-Line – which is the same model-grade line-up as the flagship Kia EV9 full-size seven-seat SUV.

The first shipments of the Kia EV5 Air and Kia EV5 Earth are due in Australia in June 2024 while the top-end GT-Line is due locally by the end of this year.

The Kia EV5 is expected to be available with a choice of standard-range single motor (Air), long-range single motor (Earth) and long-range dual motor with added performance (GT-Line).

Of note, the Kia EV5 GT-Line will not come with digital side mirrors that have been a controversial feature of the Kia EV9 GT-Line.

The digital side mirrors look impressive in the brochure and in the showroom – but are hugely impractical in daily use and offer less visibility than conventional side mirrors when doing lane checks, parking into tight spots, and when preparing to make a U turn.

Kia Australia is yet to announce pricing of the Kia EV5 but the vehicle is expected to start from somewhere between $60,000 and $70,000 before on-road costs are added.

For now the only clue about pricing from Kia executives is that it will undercut the Tesla Model Y, Australia’s top-selling electric car.

To that end, Kia has announced an ambitious sales target of 10,000 deliveries a year in Australia.

Although that would fall well short of knocking off the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and Tesla Model Y, such a sales result would nevertheless embed the Kia EV5 in the Top 10 in its class.

Kia dealers have not formally started taking orders for the Kia EV5 as the price is not yet known, however some dealers have told EFTM a number of customers have placed refundable deposits pending price and specifications.

Kia EV5 fast facts:

• The Kia EV5 will be the first Kia sold in Australia that is made in China.
• The Kia EV5 has undergone extensive testing in Australia to tune the suspension to suit local roads.
• The Kia EV5 has also been tested locally to fine-tune advanced safety systems such as lane-keeping assistance and automated parking technology (given our narrower lanes and smaller parking spots).
• The Kia EV5 will run battery technology from Chinese auto giant BYD, in 64kWh configuration or 88kWh configuration, depending on the model.
• Key details such as price and features for each Kia EV5 model will be announced closer to Australian showroom arrivals.

In the meantime here is what we are expecting so far:

Kia EV5 Air (standard range):

• Due in June 2024
• Single motor, front-wheel-drive
• 64kWh battery pack
• Power output: 160kW
• Claimed range: 530km

Kia EV5 Earth (long range):

• Due in June 2024
• Single motor, front-wheel-drive
• 88kWh battery pack
• Power output: 160kW
• Claimed range: 720km

Kia EV5 GT-Line (long range):

• Due in December 2024
• Dual motor, all-wheel-drive
• 88kWh battery pack
• Power output: 160kW front and 70kW rear
• Claimed range: 650km