Kia EV5 2025 detailed review : New BEV SUV undercuts Tesla Model Y in Australia!

[@Bemx2k]

A nice box EV at speed 130km/hour takes 28kWh/100km , where Tesla Model Y is happy to use 23,5kWh only

[@MrStrud]

The lack of 360 surround camera on the lower specs is a deal breaker for me. I have that in my sub $40k MG ZS EV and is something I expect for accurate and safe parking. GT Line not worth the extra cost and lower range.

[@Harhawink]

Would recommend taking some driving lessons if a 360 camera is a dealbreaker.

[@josephjones3292]

My wife and I put down a deposit for the ev5 about 3000 years ago when they announced it. After watching the review video you did for the Sealion 6 we pulled our deposit and bought one instead. So glad we did, can’t understand how Kia can charge so much for this car when other Chinese-made cars have more tech and are way cheaper. Great review as always!!

[@acde9355]

Probably because KIA Australia has just realised that they won't be able to price the upcoming EV3 under $50k, and the top-spec EV3 would probably be close to $60k, so they have to move the EV5 up in advance to leave space for the EV3.

[@ellgee9402]

youre doing a comparison between an EV and a PHEV...

[@josephjones3292]

@@ellgee9402 thanks mate I’m quite aware of the car I drive

[@ellgee9402]

​​@@josephjones3292That would be like comparing a outlander to a ev9. Wouldn't make any sense

[@dann5515]

@@ellgee9402 normally phev cost more than just pure ev. What he had is a best deal.

[@01Damian]

I would have bought one of these in June. Helps a lot to be able to get it from the local dealer. But I'm not so sure now. EV3 looks a lot better (this thing looks goofy) and doesn't seem much smaller. Looking forward to your local drive of it.

[@miketodd5138]

EV3 is quite a lot smaller.

[@justicebroker2271]

I now can’t unsee the camira wheels.

[@sa2591-p5d]

Weird…. No wireless phone charging, but a massager. Priorities.

[@davidfarrell1062]

Those and more would be in the Chinese EV5 and cost thousands less.

[@crb456]

Wireless charging is in the GT Line.

[@wosamosman9814]

I'd rather getting massaged than a wireless charger that will cook my phone needlessly 😂.

[@addsfour3499]

@@wosamosman9814me too, massage is really good on trips over an hour. Never need to charge my phone in the car, but can plug it in if i ever need to

[@nathanmarchant1307]

The massage seat feature is in the GT only.

[@mashoook]

Sure the ev5 air is a bit cheaper than the model Y RWD but there's a couple of things in the air spec which are inclusions in the tesla: No sentry. Only rear camera. No wireless phone charging. Hard plastics all throughout the car. No sunroof so the cabin looks a bit dark. No passenger reading lights. No automatic tailgate. Smaller door bins and frunk. No phone key. No rear parcel shelf or privacy glass for rear windows. No heated steering wheel. No heat pump. Front passenger seat is manual. No auto up/down windows for rear. No driver profiles you can save. No heater for second row seats. Kia recommends a servicing plan.

[@TB-up4xi]

....50 fewer kw of power, 140mm shorter, 47mm narrower, 20% less cargo space, 6.6kw max AC charging (vs 11kw) estimated 120kw max DC charge (vs 170kw), 55km less range, 25% less efficient etc etc - this is not a model Y competitor it's a BYD Atto3 competitor.

[@hxxxhyyy3208]

@@TB-up4xi then the price should be under $50 AUD

[@Noscrapsinmyscrapbook]

Sentry is so good in a city like Melbourne. Saved us so many times.

[@Dom-bn1ru]

Am I the only weird one here who doesnt mind the exterior design ?

[@therightcar]

No. I think it’s pretty handsome.

[@grantdennis8678]

boxy is good

[@glennO-e9r]

Kia service centres, after sales support, 7 year warranty and BYD LFP battery. You can’t go wrong.

[@jasong6784]

Curious how the latest Mini Countryman SE AWD will compare to this

[@christover1]

larger battery hangs rather low, not as off roady as I was hoping.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

How would you rate the sound system and what other car would you compare it too? Love the HK 15 speakers with 2 subwoofers under the front seats system offered in my Stinger GT.

[@JennaPitcherTHX1138]

Way better than I expected, personally. Didn't have a play around with audio settings though. I have an after market sound system in my current car and the EV5 sounded on par, if not better than that. Strong bass IMO.

[@marcusgeorge1825]

@@JennaPitcherTHX1138 Thank you. I was dissatisfied with what Kia did with the EV6 GT as it was nowhere near as good as the Stinger GT’s sound system it replaced. For me, an awesome standard car sound system is paramount.

[@JennaPitcherTHX1138]

@@marcusgeorge1825 Not worries! I'm no super audiophile though, so prob best for you check out in car yourself :)

[@craigelliott5028]

Tuned out when the boot had no spare tyres…. Another city shopping trolley

[@glennO-e9r]

You can get a aftermarket space saver kit. I got one for my EV for highway trips but always forget it.

[@sydryan9589]

My next car!

[@unitedstates3068]

plastics are already scratched up...

[@twinrotors]

This is a really good review!!!

[@therightcar]

That’s the aim 🙏

[@Peter-vn8ue]

Let's see how the BYD Sealion 07 compares with the Ev 5 when it launches here in Australia in the first quarter of 2025.

[@therightcar]

Not to mention the Leapmotor C10, Deepal S07 and any number of other EVs heading our way!

[@shadowminister4090]

If only there was a spare tyre....

[@johnlambert1744]

You can buy spare space saver wheels with all the tools (jack, pucks, etc.) as a kit. I've done this for my Model Y.

[@shadowminister4090]

@johnlambert1744 I told a Tesla salesman that I regularly travel on dirt roads and that I needed a spare. He said they provide 4 yrs of road service. Ok in the city; not so much in the country. He then said they could sell me a spare. The problem as I saw it was there wasn't anywhere designed to store that spare. Be a whole lot better, if the EVs were designed to carry a spare

[@johnlambert1744]

@@shadowminister4090 I fully agree! I carry mine in the bag it comes with in the back.

[@arnienz1962]

When was the last time you used a spare tyre?

[@johnlambert1744]

@@arnienz1962 About 18 months ago actually, had a slow puncture in my RAV4.

[@desthureson9171]

Nice detailed review. Thanks!

[@MrRaitzi]

They should make a long wagon. More aerodynamic and more cargo space.

[@thelorax9622]

Hi Matt - thanks for the review. I can't get past that cushion thing between the seats - it's ugly and seems to serve no real purpose. If it's so great, why doesn't the EV9 have one?

[@therightcar]

Haha yeah, it’s a peculiar design choice. Like a little marsupial pouch.

[@joelopic]

In the segment. If the Zeekr x7 or Avatr 07 make it to town. This could soon be brutally outclassed by it chinese counterparts..

[@natewallis1]

I have an EV9 - love it, but I don't think KIA are anywhere near the Tesla software yet. I think for electric cars in the future, its going to come down to a battle between the operating systems.

[@therightcar]

I understand your thinking on that!

[@aye3678]

Bloody hell, thats a beauty! Love it

[@teslabot6517]

Be careful with cars like the G6- check the cost of insurance first, u might get a surprise.

[@BigAl6464]

Just insured a Xpeng G6 full EV no more expensive than her Mazda CX3 ...

[@dann5515]

EV5 vs Model Y RWD (base model) What KIA EV5 dont have; no censor recording, no streaming apps, no 360 video recording. no rear seat heater, no auto adaptive high beams. And is fun with auto pilot. not sure if this ev5 auto pilot work well or not. so overall KIA EV5 cost too much that lack of what model Y can offered. But I do like the look of the SUV design and happy to see buttons and front steering digital cluster. And Tesla have better economic 14.5kW per 100km. The only EV in Australia market that can compete Tesla Model Y that will be Xpeng G6.

[@therightcar]

I think we’re about to see a whole lot more competition in this space, and I can’t wait to drive the Xpeng soon. Likewise, Geely will have the EX5 (and I’ll have a review of it very shortly).

[@dann5515]

@@therightcar ohh i thought u have driven the xpeng G6 already since is already out in australia about a month ago? But I'm sure you will find lot to talk about in G6 comparing to Model Y. range, tech, maximum fast charging speed, infotainment lot sleek and fast snappy than Tesla's OS. Spacious than Model Y, Overall package are pretty much everything little bit better than Model Y except G6 dont have the 360 censor video recording which i love so much. Had Model Y for almost a year driven over 50k Kms. And I might switching over to G6 next year if they bring in the AWD. The only downside the base G6 comes with LFP battery and Long range G6 come with NMC. Which I rather have LFP over NMC. NMC is for performance not the best for longevity as LFP where u can charge up full 100% anytime u want. NMC performance is only slightly 5% faster than LFP in 500km range comparison. but because of the weight NMC is lighter than LFP. BYD also said they will bring in the Sea Lion 7 SUV coupe hatch back pure EV in by mid next year. That will be a good trio comparison between G6, Y and SL7

[@brokeboy87]

Everything that people hate about kia's Evs made it's way into the 5. I love the exterior and the back seats. The front is to cumbersome for the average buyer.

[@davidholmes3323]

Regardless of it being electric. No spare is a deal breaker. Even a run flat would be handy. I live in a rural area so it is kind of important. I have heard, reliably of people with cars that do not have spares getting flat tyres in multi story carparks out of hours having real head scratching times when the can of goo does not work..

[@conest5725]

And so many flat tyres on unsealed roads are from slashes to sidewalls, not a simple nail in the tread, and the can of goop is useless in this situation. I had this situation out the back of Bathurst but had excellent roadside assistance which had a tow truck out to me in 30 minutes, took the car to the dealer in Orange, put me up in a hotel for the night and provided a rental car to get home the next day. The fact there were no matching tyres in stock in Australia is a whole other story so I need to research tyre availability for my next car, especially if it has 20” or 21” wheels.

[@marcc.490]

Hi Matt. Any body roll on corners or twisty roads? Nice to hear that it handles bump comfortably.

[@chriso2553]

I'm going to test drive the xpeng g6 in Melbourne on Wednesday.... fingers crossed

[@therightcar]

Hope you love it! I need to get into one. Have been offered The Electric Viking’s one! Haha

[@jiamingtan1119]

No heat pump, unfortunately

[@wosamosman9814]

That's the biggest downside for me , since it means battery capacity will take a massive hit in the long term .

[@marcusgeorge1825]

Hi Matt, nice review. Thank you. What are the charging times for 10 to 80%? As with all car batteries, LFP/NMC, the 80 to 100% is where they slow down. So, in my opinion, the quoted times to 100% are rather good especially as the maximum take on amount is low and much more consistent with the available charging infrastructure we have available in Australia currently. Plus the LFP is also the “safer” option of the two so it’s actually a positive IMO. Thoughts? Cheers.

[@chucknorris8704]

Wished you showe us what the reverse camera looks like in person.

[@mvnorsel6354]

Can you heat a pie in that rear compartment ?

[@dascathea1]

a nice microwave or electric grill will work too.

[@mashoook]

2:19 Air model doesn't support external V2L according to the spec list. Can you confirm it does?

[@dascathea1]

it doesnt.

[@tysonfinn1470]

Gay​@@dascathea1

[@crb456]

You need to buy the V2L adapter separately.

[@dancoways]

pricing still way too high

[@amyfarrell8141]

Yes! 100%

[@dann5515]

exactly. no censor recording, no streaming apps, no 360 video recording. no rear seat heater, no adaptive high beams. that all Model Y base model have. And is fun with auto pilot. not sure if this ev5 auto pilot work well or not. so overall KIA EV5 cost too much

[@davidfarrell1062]

Think the brands making cars in China are trying to pull a fast one outside China. That amount of hard plastics and lack of standard tech would not run in China. Its the same story. Add the bits you like and you may as well by non chinese made.

[@Cobnapint]

Kia could have made this so much better for not much extra outlay. It should be 800V in this day and age. The lower plastics look absolutely dreadful, there is no load cover, the steering sounds like it's too heavy and the range is disappointing.

[@mohammad_alnasser]

How is Noise, vibration, and harshness compared to competitors?

[@therightcar]

Mostly good.

[@petercrawford3370]

Overall, it is disappointing for the price range. The Skoda would be my pick, the Sportline has great space, and the Coupe Sportline has more style.

[@mrevoix1]

I always found it strange that the paddle shifters for EVs are for adjusting regen braking. I feel they should’ve been buttons on the wheel or onscreen settings rather than replacing the traditional paddle shifter.

[@glennO-e9r]

I had an Outlander PHEV with paddle shift regen. Now got an EV that you need to go into the menus. The paddle shift does make it easier.

[@sop1311]

It is easier for on the go adjustments. In my ioniq, holding the left paddle acts as a gentler brake that is purely regen.

[@Snerdles]

I use them all the time in my original Ioniq PHEV. It's great for adjusting speed slightly, adjusting while coasting down hills, increasing any time you would otherwise stop... If you use one pedal drive it doesn't make much sense but in my PHEV if the Regen is maxed there is a point in the accelerator where you would switch from acceleration to coasting and at that exact point it immediately switches from a cell to max regen. That's very jarring, so I tap the Regen off once stopped, and then increase it slowly with the paddles any time I'm slowing down rather than braking.

[@Nerdificationing]

GT Line is the only one worth getting

[@livelifestyle2269]

I am someone in the market for a second ev car and ..........That's a no for me. G6 is looking like a way better spec car in 2025

[@twinrotors]

Why not “RIP Model Y”? Lol

[@therightcar]

Hahaha because we know that’s likely impossible.

[@paulinquebec]

No rear window wiper?

[@skyrotfpv]

I believe there is one hidden at the top underneath the rear spoiler. Saw it in another video.

[@actualfacts1055]

Copied Holden Camira wheel covers, why not ?

[@whynotstartusingyourbrain8726]

It really undercuts the model Y in trunk space. Actually it's only about half of what you get in the Y.

[@skyrotfpv]

I was hoping to get a little bigger EV3 that isn't as large as the EV9 but this is not what I was looking for. It looks very cheap and the thingy between the front seats looks ugly and unnecessary.

[@therightcar]

Fair enough! Many more EVs coming!

[@hal3137]

Don't forget this a Chinese made Kia , panic was setting in with Chinese competition so they were forced to do this model. Not sayings its bad , but not Korean that includes the pack.

[@Ausijoeblow]

Not saying your comment is bad, but it doesn’t make sense

[@stevewise1656]

KIA is pricing their cars in the luxury car range.

[@gregturner_awod]

Nice car, a decent sized SUV, that is mostly well designed and practical. Range and charge times not quite what i would wish them to be. Good to drive with the AWD the winner. The servicing intervals and costs, no I don;t like. I like the vehicle, but (and it’s very much a personal like or dislike) I much prefer the Tesla ‘simplicity’ in controls. I think a Long Range Model Y would win me over faster than this Kia if I were in the market. Excellent review as always, excellent perhaps as a family SUV.

[@richardvivian3665]

I’d hold off for the imminent new modelY juniper. If rumors are true it’s a very significant upgrade all round not least of which is much improved driving dynamics.

[@Richard-sl8we]

Many people will not buy a Tesla.

[@j0404t]

@@Richard-sl8we Many people are dumb

[@peterburdett8131]

A key fob…that’s cute?

[@dmpanis]

Mate the charging port is placed all wrong!

[@Nicholas.T]

Actually it’s not ! Why ? This is primarily a FWD vehicle, so the charging port is OBVIOUSLY placed closest to the front engine bay.

[@therightcar]

Where should it be?

[@dmpanis]

@@Nicholas.T how is someone supposed to charge when parked next to a wall? Check Tesla.

[@dmpanis]

@@therightcar other side. Where the driver is. Just like teslas do.

[@kevinblyth6549]

When will manufacturers start sacrificing some of that, "So called extra storage space", and give us a spare tire? Many of us do not live in metro areas and cannot afford to sit on the side of the road and wait 2 hours, yes I have done that, for road side assist. Give me a spare, a jack, a wheel brace and physical buttons, Haptic are not physical and as you say easy to bump. Tire mobility kit will not help if you have a blow out, side wall puncture, a puncture above a certain size, tread separation or any incident that causes your tire to lose contact with the bead of the rim. Also what is that extended seat BS?

[@AndrewSheldon]

That boxy look will be a drain on efficiency. But cares at that end of the market.

[@mrx3184]

KIA doing dumb things again like only giving 4 colours on top model and 8 colours on base model.

[@intheknow6499]

Try again. There are 4 full body colours and another 4 colours with a black roof.

[@mrx3184]

@intheknow6499 that's still 4 colours lol, just with or without a black roof.

[@intheknow6499]

@ No, it’s not, you twit. It’s the same 8 colours as the bottom two models, but, exclusive to the GT-Line, four of them have a black roof instead of body coloured.

[@scottcochrane638]

Price🙄

[@jamiehiggs5389]

Very cheap feeling interior and all that external piano black very underwhelmed when we checked it out, going to struggle when things like the BYD sea lion 7 comes out and blows it out of the waterpun intended :)

[@turbodewd1]

no Tesla HUD is a joke

[@franky3236]

Wait for it......Model Y Juniper....game over!

[@Richard-sl8we]

Disagree, many people will not buy a Tesla.

[@therightcar]

Not everyone likes Tesla.

[@xkr510]

That charging speed is just not making me happy. That price - yeah, you are having a laugh. This will be a dinosaur a year from now.

[@teslabot6517]

Why isn’t it rwd on the base models?

[@copaloadofthis]

Because it would make too much sense !

[@quentin221990]

Beside more comfortable suspension, it’s worst than the Tesla model Y in all other aspects…

[@therightcar]

Nah, there's also more conventional screen tech and controls, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which can drive decisions.

[@francisgeorge5922]

All these car makers invest each other and make price high. Consumer is loosing at the end. Chinese EVs are better value

[@alfstewart22]

Somehow first

[@johnlambert1744]

I have to disagree with you Matt sorry - I think the Model Y is WAY better looking (the new Juniper model will be even better), has better tech, more efficient, is RWD (FWD EVs are horrible to drive IMO) in the base model. The EV5 is a great car for sure though for those who do like the look of it (the rear is ugly for me).

[@candlelarbra5212]

Overpriced AF

[@tochukwuezinwa2122]

Looks 😢😢

[@69memnon69]

It undercuts the model y because it’s inferior.

[@batmanlives6456]

Kia …. Cars that start fires 🔥

[@ETERNITY777]

😡😡 EV CARS EXPLODE 🤑🤑🤑😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

[@alikhurram]

56k for EV doing 300Km (400 WLTP) ?? Failed before launched even. Kia might need to tried more harder Thanks to Chinese whose bringing competition making car prices better, with more features now.

[@Realist-m9c]

Ugliest car EVER made?

[@buncha5651]

Kia have lost the plot their design department used to design fridges. This is as bloody ugly as the Hyundai Santa Fa.

[@fryske.tynster]

complete useless video with useless paid chills . tesla is the boss and this kia isnt even close

[@muratoz2931]

Another bullshit claim to overthrow Tesla. Heard it a million times before yet Tesla is still growing. Just review the car mate. If you like it then say so. I guess the best form of flattery is comparison to the best.

[@therightcar]

Did you actually watch this video or just jump to a silly conclusion?

[@franky3236]

This guy either does not understand EV's or his reviews are biased or maybe both, either way the review is worthless.

[@therightcar]

What makes you say that? I do understand EVs, and I’m not biased. If you’re going to throw that kind of bullshit, at least justify it.

[@Cobnapint]

Eh?

[@franky3236]

@@therightcar Your video has in the title “New BEV SUV undercuts Tesla Model Y in Australia” and so I feel you should be consider the two major factors when comparing these vehicles, not just the price which I feel is not large enough to warrant the claim.. You obviously titled the video in this manor to direct people to the video but did not provide enough comparison information to allow your audience to make an informed decision. Charging speed is a critical factor when purchasing an EV especially if this is your first EV, making the transition to EV as smooth as possible. The base model EV5 has a claimed AC charge rate of 7kW and a DC charge rate of 102kW where the Model Y has a AC charge rate of 11kW and DC charge rate of 210kW. I note that most EV owners charge at home and most wont get the 11kW which requires three phase power. However you will feel the difference when using DC superchargers, most particularly when other EV’s pull up to charge after you and leave before. But the real clincher here is the power consumption of each vehicle where if you look at the EV5 with a claimed 18.2kWh/100km and the Model Y with a claimed 15.7kWh/100km. Even with the increased battery size of the EV5 the Model Y still outdoes it by just over 55Kms (WLTP). There a few other items which make the Model Y a superior vehicle in my opinion however I do see some features on the EV5 which would appeal to some, however charging speed and power consumption should always be the first things to consider.