Kia EV5 detailed ahead of mid-2024 arrival: Is this the electric SUV that could prove the biggest threat yet to the Tesla Model Y?

Kia wants its EV5 to take a Tesla-sized chunk of the fast-growing electric car market.

Rather than a low-volume player, Kia is preparing for the EV5 to be one of its top selling vehicles – and a car that can tempt buyers out of hybrids such as the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Nissan X-Trail e-Power and Honda CR-V Hybrid.

“We think we can get it up to 10,000 [sales] a year,” said Kia Australia COO Dennis Piccoli, who nominated fleets as key to hitting the big sales target.

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“There seems to be a bit of interest from governments and some of the larger corporates who are trying to move into that green space.”

The EV5 has undergone local development, with a unique suspension and steering tune for cars coming to Australia.

While pricing and detailed specifications are yet to be finalised, Kia says it is targeting a sub-$60,000 start price before on-road costs for the EV5.

That means something like $64,000 drive-away, undercutting rivals such as the Toyota bZ4X, Subaru Solterra and Ford Mustang Mach-E by thousands.

Crucially, that would also give the EV5 a circa-$6000 price advantage over the Tesla Model Y that is comfortably the top-selling EV in the country.

“With any luck it may even start with a high five,” said Kia Australia product planning boss Roland Rivero of the manufacturer list price of the EV5.

“Expect to see Standard Range and Long Range and expect to see front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive spread throughout the range,” he added.

Key to the EV5’s anticipated sharp pricing is the fact Australian versions will be sourced from a factory in China, rather than Kia’s home hub of Korea.

Plus, while the EV5 utilises the E-GMP architecture that also underpins the Kia EV6 and EV9 (as well as various Hyundais and the Genesis GV60), it drops from an 800V electrical system to 400V, as used by most rivals. Again, it’s all about containing costs.

And rather than more energy dense NMC batteries, the EV5 follows the lead of Tesla Rear-Wheel Drive models, all BYDs and various budget-priced EVs in using lithium ferrous phosphate (LFP) batteries that are cheaper to manufacture.

The EV5’s batteries are supplied by BYD, which was originally a battery manufacturer that turned to manufacturing vehicles almost two decades ago.

As for exactly what the Kia EV5 line-up will look like in Australia, we’ve still got a couple of months to wait.

But we’re learning more and have scored some key details from Kia in an exclusive chat this week.

Here’s how the EV5 range is shaping up in Australia:

Kia EV5 Air

The entry-level EV5 will be the price leader and a car expected to take a decent chunk of sales.

It’ll be powered by a single electric motor driving the front wheels and ride on 18-inch alloy wheels.

However, Kia will offer a standard range battery pack and a larger long range pack.

The 64kWh standard range battery will provide something like 450km of WLTP range while the 88kWh long range pack will get something north of 600km of range between charges.

The Air will get dual 12.3-inch screens – one for the instrument cluster and one for infotainment – as well as a 5.3-inch screen in between them to control the ventilation system.

As with all EV5s, there will also be an extensive suite of driver assistance technology designed to help the car achieve a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

Expect recycled materials and some interesting finishes, including copper highlights on the dash and doors.

There’s also lashings of cleverness in the cabin and loads of storage.

A large floor-mounted binnacle between the front seats kicks it off.

Those in the rear get a near-flat floor and a drawer that slides out from the centre console. On the passenger side is a table that folds down from the front seatback.

And in the boot a clever hidden compartment beneath the floor pops up to create a shelf.

And, of course, there’s a frunk, or front trunk for storage of charging cables.

Kia EV5 Earth

The mid-grade EV5 Earth is shaping up to be the one aimed at families.

It’ll ride on 19-inch alloy wheels and add an additional electric motor to the back wheels, providing all-wheel drive.

Also expect a step-up in equipment.

The trim is also expected to include higher quality finishes.

Kia EV5 GT-Line

The GT-Line will be the most you can spend on an EV5, at least until the arrival of a much faster GT model.

It’ll run on 20-inch alloys and get various styling tweaks outside to go with its sporty positioning.

The EV5 GT-Line will come exclusively with dual motors and the long range battery pack.

However, because all models have a front motor, the EV5 GT-Line’s frunk has the same (modest) capacity as lesser variants.

Plus it’ll come loaded with equipment, including a panoramic sunroof, head-up display and premium audio system.

There will also be leather as part of the step up in materials to justify a price tag expected to be close to $80,000.