The 2025 Kia EV5 is gunning for the likes of the BYD Atto 3 in Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) sales race, with the Korean brand promising strong supply.
The battery-powered SUV will arrive in Australia in June 2024 with two variants, called Air and Earth.
A flagship GT-Line to follow in the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December inclusive).
According to Kia Australia, it aims to import up to 850 EV5s every month – a figure which could put it on track to challenge the BYD Atto 3, which last year averaged 920 sales per month.
If Kia Australia brings in 850 EV5s each month, it could sell 10,200 EV5s annually. For context, it sold just 1000 Niro EVs in 2023.
“Kia Australia is confident the EV5 will suit the needs of many new car buyers who now more than ever, are considering the move into a full battery electric vehicle,” said Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith.
“Sourcing Australia’s stock from the China factory allows us to launch earlier and secure supply of up to 850 per month which is needed to target mainstream appeal.”
Unlike the larger, E-GMP-based EV6 and EV9, the EV5 is underpinned by a separate dedicated EV platform called N3 eK.
As with other Kia models, though, the EV5 will benefit from a suspension tune developed by the brand’s Australian ride and handling team, in a bid to ensure it doesn’t feel out of place on local roads.
Additional Australian-specific calibrations have been made to the EV5’s safety systems to cope with local traffic conditions, lane markings, speed signs and parking spaces, while it has also been tested on EV chargers in Sydney and Canberra – which explains recent photos of a test vehicle in New South Wales.
Though it hasn’t confirmed specifications for the EV5’s Air and Earth variants, Kia Australia says both standard and long-range batteries will be offered, as well as single-motor front-wheel drive and dual-motor all-wheel drive layouts.
In China, the single-motor variant produces 160kW and is paired with a choice of 64kWh or 88kWh lithium iron phosphate battery packs, offering 530km to 720km of driving range in lenient CLTC lab testing, respectively.
The all-wheel drive EV5 gains a 70kW electric motor on the rear axle, increasing its combined outputs to 230kW. This drivetrain is powered by a 70kWh battery, enabling up to 650km of driving range in the same CLTC tests.
The EV5 adopts much of its Kia EV9 large SUV sibling’s design language, and is sold in China with a pair of 12.3-inch screens – one for the new-generation ccNC infotainment system, another for the instruments – as well as the brand’s connected services.
Kia Australia is yet to announce pricing and final specifications for the EV5, though it’s understood to be closely priced with the smaller – but South Korean-built – Niro EV, which is priced from $66,590 before on-road costs.
The 2024 Kia EV5 is due to arrive in Australia from June 2024.
MORE: Everything Kia EV5
