The 2024 Kia EV5 SUV has the potential to become one of the most affordable electric cars in Australia. With its impressive features and competitive pricing, this vehicle is set to make a significant impact in the market. As the demand for electric cars continues to grow, Kia is positioning itself as a leading player in the industry. The EV5 SUV offers a compelling combination of affordability, performance, and sustainability. With its sleek design and cutting-edge technology, this vehicle is sure to attract a wide range of consumers. As Australia moves towards a greener future, the 2024 Kia EV5 SUV is poised to be a popular choice for those looking to make the switch to electric vehicles.
The Kia EV5, an electric SUV, has recently been released for sale in China. This vehicle, which bears resemblance to the popular Sportage model, comes with a price tag that is less than half of the best-selling Tesla Model Y.
Pricing
According to reports from Electrek, the starting price for the EV5 in China is 149,800 yuan, equivalent to approximately $32,000 in Australian currency. This competitive pricing can be attributed to the cost advantages derived from manufacturing the vehicle in Kia's Chinese factory rather than in South Korea.
While it is unlikely that the EV5 will be available at such an affordable price in Australia due to import costs and the higher level of standard equipment expected in our market, it is still anticipated to be priced under $50,000.
Comparison to Other Models
To provide a comparison, the BYD Atto 3 Extended, which is priced from around 160,000 yuan ($AU34,000) in China, costs $51,011 plus on-road costs in Australia. This represents a difference of approximately 30 percent.
Applying this comparison to the entry-level Kia EV5 could potentially result in a base model priced at around $48,000 plus on-road costs in Australia, similar to China's entry-level '530 Light' variant.
If the EV5 were to be priced in this range, it would be one of the most affordable electric vehicles available in Australia. It would compete with models such as the BYD, as well as the MG 4 (priced between $38,990 and $59,990) and MG ZS EV (starting from $40,990). This pricing would also position the EV5 in a similar range as a mid-range Kia Sportage petrol SUV.
Variants
In addition to the base model, China offers better-equipped variants of the EV5 known as '530 Air' and '530 Land'. These grades are priced from 159,800 yuan ($AU34,100) and 174,800 yuan ($AU37,300) respectively. If these pricing levels were to be translated to Australia, they could amount to approximately $50,000 and $56,000 plus on-road costs.
Technology
Unlike the current cheapest battery-powered SUV available in Australia, the MG ZS EV, the Kia EV5 is built on a dedicated electric-car platform. It utilizes the E-GMP architecture, which is also used in its Kia siblings, the EV6 and EV9. However, the EV5 has less advanced technology compared to its counterparts.
While the EV6 and EV9 are offered in rear-wheel-drive or rear-biased all-wheel-drive configurations, the EV5 is only available as a front- or front-biased all-wheel-drive model.
Furthermore, the Kia EV5 is based on a 400-volt electric architecture rather than the 800-volt platform found in the more expensive EV6 and EV9 models. This means that its charging speeds will be slower. Nevertheless, it is still capable of accepting up to 120kW of charging power compared to 250kW in the higher-end vehicles.
Battery
All versions of the Kia EV5 manufactured in China are equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery developed by electric-vehicle specialist BYD. However, South Korean-built models, which are set to commence production in 2025, will utilize nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries.
The Kia EV5 is expected to arrive in Australian showrooms next year after production in China. Local pricing and specifications for the vehicle are anticipated to be announced closer to its launch.
(This article is sourced from drive.com.au and curated by Thetransporteronline24)
