Kia’s next electric SUV priced to fight Tesla
Kia has confirmed the New Zealand entry price of the forthcoming EV5, and it puts the car right up against the Tesla Model Y,
The Kia EV5 is the brand’s next offering for Kiwi buyers, set to land here in four trim levels, with two- and all-wheel drive variants both confirmed. Full specifications are yet to be revealed but Kia has confirmed that all models will have a WLTP-rated range of more than 500km.
That means we’re in line for the 88kWh battery, which is officially rated at 665km for front-wheel drive models and 620km for all-wheel drive models, although that’s on the generous NEDC cycle.
In terms of powertrains, the EV5 is sold in China with either a singlemotor set-up developing 160kW/310Nm or a dual-motor option, adding in a 70kWh rear-mounted motor unit for 230kW/480Nm of total output.
We’d also expect locally sold EV5s to come with a dual-screen, 12.3-inch digital cluster and infotainment system combination, paired to a 5-inch climate control panel and a comprehensive suite of active and passive safety features.
Pricing has been confirmed as well, although only for the entry point to the range. Kia will sell the EV5 from $67,990, putting it in competition with the Tesla Model Y and Volkswagen ID.4.
To drum up interest in the new SUV, Kia is taking an EV5 prototype on a tour of New Zealand. It is making its way from north to south over eight weeks, until the end of May.
Pre-orders will be taken at the shows, with the first 100 customers receiving 10,000km of road user chargers free. A full list of dealers and dates is available at the Kia New Zealand EV5 website.
“The Kia EV5 is a midsize electric SUV that redefines sustainable mobility and will join the EV6 and multi-international award-winning EV9 as part of our zero-emissions model portfolio,” Kia New Zealand managing director Todd McDonald said.
“The tour is an excellent opportunity for people to see the new model for themselves and appreciate the design as well as understand its versatility and functionality.
“The EV5 is the perfect midsize electric SUV Kiwi families have been waiting for, it’s a no-compromise proposition and features a very competitive price position considering the range and that it is laden with new technology.”
Full pricing and specifications will be revealed closer to the on-sale date early in the second half of 2024.