Kia EV5 pricing and specification
Electric five-seat mid-size SUV's sharp pricing undercuts market-leading Tesla Model YThe Kia EV5 has laid down the most serious challenge to the market-leading Tesla Model Y yet, launching with cheaper pricing – under $60,000 drive-away – and a design that is the antithesis of the Model Y’s bulbous curves.
Living up to an earlier promise to undercut the Model Y, the boxy entry-level Kia EV5 Air is priced at $56,770 drive-away, entering the new car market almost $2000 less than the cheapest on-the-road price for the Tesla Model Y, which is $58,715 in the ACT.
The margin is greater in the most populous Australian states, New South Wales, where the cheapest Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive kicks off at $60,880 drive-away and in Victoria, where it is $61,200.
The EV5 is the second new medium electric SUV in weeks to throw down the pricing gauntlet to Tesla, with the interloping XPeng G6 also undercutting it.
How is the new Kia EV5 such a threat to the Model Y on price?
For starters, it uses LFP batteries and is built in China, the same place as the XPeng G6 and Model Y – the latter being Australia’s top-selling EV.
However, issues with the car’s high-tech software (which is arguably more critical than its powertrain hardware) delayed the EV5’s Australian launch.
The Toyota RAV4-sized Kia EV5’s media launch is being conducted next week, so stay tuned to carsales’ channels (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook) for all the details and our verdict on Kia’s latest and greatest.
Two Kia EV5 ‘Air’ models come standard with driver’s seat massage function and sit either side the base model Tesla Y in terms of price, with the Long Range entry-level model-grade getting a larger battery and costing $63,990 drive-away.
The middle-spec ‘Earth’ All-Wheel Drive Long Range is $68,990 drive-away, compared to the cheapest $72,715 drive-away price for the Tesla Model Y Long Range All-Wheel Drive in the ACT (which rises beyond $75,000 in both NSW and Victoria).
The sports-luxury flagship EV5 ‘GT-Line’ costs $75,990 drive-away and undercuts the top-spec Model Y Performance by around $10,000.
The Air and Earth are now on-sale while the GT-Line models arrive in December. Air and Earth prices are $1000 higher in West Australia and the GT-Line $2000 higher.
There are performance advantages throughout the Tesla Model Y range compared to the Kia EV5 that may help balance out the pricing disadvantage for some buyers.
For example, the cheapest front-wheel drive EV5 Standard Range Air (160kW/310Nm, single motor) is the only model to come with a 64.2kWh LFP battery pack and that delivers a short 400km range. The base Tesla Model Y by comparison lists a 455km range.
All range claims are WLTP, a widely-accepted global measurement protocol.
The EV5 2WD Long Range has an 88.1kWh battery supplied by BYD and retains the same e-motor (160kW/310Nm) and 18-inch alloy wheels as the Standard Range and has the longest range of all EV5s at 555km.
Hypermile heroes will approve, given 2WD Kia out-distances the 533km Model Y Long Range – although that vehicle is AWD.
The EV5 Earth AWD Long Range graduates to dual e-motors (230kW/480Nm) but drops to 500km range.
The GT-Line retains the same powertrain but rolls on 20-inch rims rather than 19-inch alloy wheels and drops its range to 470km. The Model Y Performance claims a longer 514km range and has bigger muscles (393kW/690Nm).
In terms of standard features, all Kia EV5 grades are handsomely equipped, fitted with dual 12.3-inch displays with a five-inch bridging segment.
They are equipped with the Hyundai Group’s new ccNC infotainment unit and Kia’s updated graphical user interface.
Comfort and convenience features across the range include the Kia Connect app, over the air updates and a column type shift-by-wire. A power tailgate is available on Earth and GT-Line trims.
Features exclusive to the top of the range GT-Line include heated and cooling storage, a fingerprint module, an augmented reality head-up display and second generation remote smart park assist.
Active and passive safety technologies included on all trims comprises second generation highway driving assist and a central side airbag. A blind spot view monitor is available on the EV5 GT-Line.
The Kia EV5 has also had an Australian ride and handling tuning program, as per all new Kia models sold in this country.
How much does the Kia EV5 cost?
Air 2WD Standard Range - $56,770 drive-away ($56,770 plus on-road costs)
Air 2WD Long Range - $63,990 drive-away ($61,170 plus on-road costs)
AWD Earth Long Range - $68,990 drive-away ($64,770 plus on-road costs)
GT-Line AWD Long Range - $75,990 ($71,770 plus on-road costs)
What equipment comes with the 2025 Kia EV5?
Kia EV5 Air:
• 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with over-the-air updates
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 5.0-inch climate-control touch display
• Cloth and synthetic leather-look seat upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Massaging function for driver's seat
• Kia Connect smartphone app
• Interior vehicle to load (V2L) port
• 18-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights and tail-lights
Kia EV5 Earth (in addition to above features):
• Power tailgate
• Synthetic leather upholstery
• Exterior vehicle to load (V2L) port
• 19-inch alloy wheels
Kia EV5 GT-Line (in addition to above features):
• Panoramic sunroof
• Eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system
• Fingerprint authenticator
• Heated and cooled rear storage
• Augmented-reality head-up display
• Remote Smart Park Assist 2
• Blind-spot cameras
• 360-degree camera
• 20-inch alloy wheels
• GT-Line exterior styling
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
