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Electric
2024 Kia EV5 preview: price, specs and release date
Andrea Matthews
August 15, 2024
Kia has confirmed its smallest, and most affordable electric car to date, the Kia EV5 mid-size SUV, will go on sale in Australia in the final quarter of 2024, priced from $56,770 drive away.
Kia is offering drive away pricing across the range on the new EV5 range, with prices ranging from $56,770 to $75,990.
This pricing sees it competitively priced against the popular Tesla Model Y which is available from $61,200 drive away, as well as other competitors including the affordable 2024 BYD Atto 3.
The upcoming Zeekr X, a premium electric SUV hailing from one of the many new brands set to enter the Australian car market, is also likely to be priced similarly to the Kia EV5. The Kia EV5 may also be shopped against the new BYD Sealion 6 plug-in hybrid which offers electric driving range of 80km and is backed by a petrol engine, for total mileage of around 1100 kilometres.
Four options will be available in the Kia EV5 line up across three model grades: Air, Earth and GT-Line, with the top-spec GT-Line model set to arrive in December.
The most affordable Kia EV5 Air model is a front-wheel drive model which takes its power from a 64.2kWh battery and has a claimed driving range of 400km (WLTP). The same spec model is also available with a long range 88.1kWh battery for $63,990 drive away.
Both the mid-spec Kia EV5 Earth ($68,990) and top-spec Kia EV5 GT-Line ($75,990) are both available exclusively with the larger battery and an all-wheel drive configuration.
2025 Kia EV5 drive away pricing in Australia
2025 Kia EV5 Air 2WD Standard Range - $56,770
2025 Kia EV5 Air 2WD Extended Range - $63,990
2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD Extended Range - $68,990
2025 Kia EV5 GT-Line AWD Extended Range - $75,990
The Kia EV5 will benefit from more affordable lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) battery technology and will be the first Kia on sale in Australia to be sourced from China, although it will also be built in Korea for other markets.
The Kia EV5 is built on Kia’s N3-ek platform and features design cues from its big brother, the EV9, both on the exterior and on the home-from-home cabin feel on the interior.
The Kia EV5 Earth and Air were expected to be on sale mid-2024 with the GT-Line to follow soon after. However, production delays mean that all three model grades of the Kia EV5 are now scheduled to arrive before the end of 2024.
Kia says the EV5 has undergone an extensive local ride and handling program to ensure it better copes with Australia’s unique road conditions.
The Kia EV5 was recently previewed at the Vivid Sydney festival
Kia's full electric EV line-up feature similar styling cues
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What is the range of the Kia EV5?
The Kia EV5 Air Standard Range is equipped with a 64kWh battery pack and a 160kW motor on the front axle and a range of 400km (WLTP).
The long-range Kia EV5 Air is fitted with a larger 88kWh battery and the same 160kW motor for a range of 555km (WLTP), while the long-range AWD models includes the 88kWh battery and adds a rear-axle 70kW motor for a total power output of up to 230kW and range of 500km in the Earth variant, and 470km in the GT-Line, with reduced mileage largely due to its bigger 20-inch wheel and tyre package.
The dual-motor long-range AWD Kia EV5 model also offers fast-charging capability, allowing the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in 38 minutes.
Kia EV5 will offer regenerative braking and an i-Pedal system for one-pedal driving.
The Kia EV5 will also offer vehicle to load (V2L) and vehicle to grid (V2G) capability, although there's no word on how the vehicle to grid capability, which enables surplus battery energy to be shared with the grid, may work in Australia.
How will the Kia EV5 battery cope with weather extremes?
The Kia EV5's battery has been engineered to perform throughout the year, in extreme hot and cold weather. An advanced heat pump system, also used on the Kia EV6 manages the battery’s temperature, ensuring consistent performance regardless of external conditions.
The Kia EV5 electric mid-size SUV will offer regenerative braking for one-pedal driving
What is the interior of the Kia EV5 like?
The Kia EV5's seats are upholstered in either recycled PET fabric or Bio-PU in place of leather. Plenty of clever solutions are included in the design such as a table and storage in the centre console armrest.
The rear of the vehicle can be transformed into a bedroom thanks to the folding second-row camping seat which folds fully flat. A rear console refrigerator/warmer keeps food hot or cold for road trips with a temperature range of 5 to 55 degrees Celsius and a 4-litre capacity.
A multi-use luggage board, can instantly be transformed into a table for road trips and to enjoy food from the onboard food warmer
Reclining seats are designed to prevent back discomfort with an adjustable back angle. The Kia EV5 will also offer relaxation seats featuring a massage function with four modes and three levels of intensity. Kia says you will be able to receive a massage while waiting for the car to charge.
Seats will also be heated and ventilated and include a footrest.
The Kia EV5 will deliver a spacious and light cabin with plenty of premium touchpoints (overseas model shown)
Kia EV5 infotainment and connectivity
Kia promises the EV5 will offer a spacious, light cabin with the latest infotainment technology which it says will keep the occupants digitally connected in a safe environment.
It will use the connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) infotainment system that allows for over-the-air software updates. The cabin will be headlined by a panoramic wide display, which combines two 12.3-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and one for the infotainment system. They are joined by a 5-inch climate control display to control a three-zone climate control system for the driver, front passenger, and second-row occupants.
An optional head-up display will be available.
Kia is following the trend for minimising hard buttons in the cabin which means most of the EV5's functions will need to be controlled via the vehicle’s touchscreen or through voice command.
Digital features and services will be able to be updated over the air without the need to attend a dealership for such updates. Drivers will be able to personalise their infotainment options through the Kia Connect Store.
How safe is the Kia EV5?
The Kia EV5 is equipped with seven airbags and equipped with a range of driver assistance technology including Kia Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), which helps drivers maintain a safe distance, stay within their lane and change lanes.
With the Kia's smart key, the driver can use its Remote Smart Parking Assist 2 (RSPA 2) system so the EV5 can park itself without the need for driver's input, whether the driver is inside or outside the car. A smart exit function and remote forward and reverse function helps drivers navigate tight parking spaces.
RSPA 2 controls the accelerator, brakes, and gear shifter to manoeuvre the car into its space. The system will also apply the brakes if it senses an obstruction is detected in its path and includes Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) to stop the car when reversing if it senses an oncoming vehicle.
Kia is expanding its electric car range alongside the large EV9 SUV, the sporty EV6 and the upcoming medium-sized EV5.
The Kia EV3 is a small compact SUV designed with Kia's 'Joy For Reason' design philosophy. The concept Kia EV3 employs plenty of storage functionality, including tables and a folding rear bench seat for storage of what it envisions will be the driver's e-scooter or bike.
The four-door Kia EV4 is a new concept in EV sedans and previews additional configurable interiors including an air conditioning control panel which can be detached from the console when not in use. The Kia EV4 concept debuts 'Mind Modes' - a feature that adjusts ambient lighting and animated ventilation patterns. 'Perform’ and 'Serenity' modes deliver a different ambience through the car's displays and functions depending on the driver's mood.
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