2024 Kia EV5: Australian details for midsize electric SUV

Given an entry point in the $50K bracket, the base Kia EV5 electric SUV would appear to offer tremendous value compared to its entry-level rivals – the Tesla Model Y ($65,400), Toyota bZ4X ($66,000), Subaru Solterra AWD ($69,990) and Ford Mustang Mach-E ($72,990), not to mention Kia’s own EV6 Air ($72,590).

The ~$50k #KiaEV5 is nearly here, so we've taken the chance to get a good poke around inside and out. What do you think of this midsized electric SUV?

To be offered in three variants (Air, Earth and GT-Line) in both standard- and long-range forms, the entry-level EV5 Air will feature a single electric motor, front-wheel drive and a 64.2kWh lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery sourced from China’s BYD for better fast-charge capability and ease in charging to 100 percent, without degrading the battery over time.

Producing an expected 160kW/310Nm, the front-drive EV5 Air should be good for 0-100km/h in 8.5sec, a claimed NEDC range of 490km (more accurate WLTP figures are yet to be released) and 102kW maximum DC charging speed.

The long-range EV5 will also be front-wheel drive, featuring the same 160kW/310Nm front-mounted electric motor but a larger 88.1kWh LFP battery for 36 percent more range (665km NEDC), though a marginally slower 8.9sec 0-100km/h time.

It features a 141kW maximum DC charging speed and can go from 10-80 percent in 38 minutes.

This lowers the EV5’s claimed 0-100km/h time to a brisk 6.1sec without impacting too much on its NEDC range (620km), or its charging speed compared to the 88.1kWh long-range.

Benchmarked against the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4 (due in Australia around July/August this year), the EV5 medium SUV is intended to be a more comfort-biased, pragmatic alternative to the sportier, coupe-shaped EV6 liftback – giving Kia the advantage of two distinct mid-sized EV models, rather than simply two bodystyles.

Based on a development of Hyundai-Kia’s existing E-GMP bespoke electric-vehicle platform (dubbed N3 eK), the Chinese-manufactured EV5 features modularised front and rear chassis components that are different to E-GMP models, as well as more cost-effective 400-volt electrical architecture to make the EV5 less expensive to