BMW X1 vs Kia EV5
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
BMW X1 scores higher, 75 vs 71
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 9 Nov 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW X1
19 of 27 standard · no option data · 8 no dataFrom
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 115kW
- Economy
- 6.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2022
- Boot (seats up)
- 540L
Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 71, but the Kia EV5 is $5,030 cheaper
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Reference imageKia EV5
18 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 not offered · 3 no dataFrom
$56,770
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 18.2 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2024
- Boot (seats up)
- 513L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$61,800RRP
- no option data for this car
$56,770RRP
- cannot be matched: Head-Up Display, Premium Audio and Power Tailgate not offered
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW X1 sDrive18i
$61,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $263 a week in repayments ($61,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia EV5 Air Standard Range FWD
$56,770
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $239 a week in repayments ($56,770 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia EV5 starts $5,030 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The BMW X1 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$239/wk(≈$1,037/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV5 at $56,770 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP lists the BMW X1 at 5 stars (2022) and the Kia EV5 at 5 stars (2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 86% for the BMW X1 and 88% for the Kia EV5, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV5, against 5 on the BMW X1.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW X1 and 7 in the Kia EV5.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 5 of 10 key systems on the BMW X1 and 7 on the Kia EV5.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X1
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006090 · published 2 Oct 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, a component of the brake booster system may have been incorrectly welded and could break.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2024
- REC-006063 · published 30 Aug 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, liquid may enter the electrical water pump connectors.Year range on the notice: 2011 - 2018
- 5 more on the model page.
Kia EV5
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
64.2kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 150kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 150kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X1 features a 10.7-inch touchscreen paired with a 10.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV5 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X1 stands out with Apple CarPlay, head-up display, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV5. The Kia EV5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X1 gets sensatec synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia EV5 offers cloth & artificial leather.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X1 uses a Petrol producing 115kW and 230Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 9 seconds.
The Kia EV5 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 310Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia EV5 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 115kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV5 is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X1 measures 4,500mm long on a 2,692mm wheelbase, 115mm shorter than the Kia EV5 at 4,615mm (2,750mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 540L in the BMW X1 and 513L in the Kia EV5, giving the BMW X1 a 27L advantage.
For towing, the BMW X1 leads with a 1,700kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 1,400kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BMW X1's turning circle is 0.4 m tighter, 11.3 m against 11.7 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X1 costs about $1,853 a year (6.5 L/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV5 about $874 a year (18.2 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X1) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5).
Where each one leads
The BMW X1: the bigger boot with the seats up (540L against 513L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,700kg against 300kg).
The Kia EV5: the lower starting price ($56,770 against $61,800), more power (160kW against 115kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
BMW X1 scores higher, 75 vs 71
The BMW X1 scores 75 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 7 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: technology (BMW X1 ahead by 30 points), practicality (BMW X1 ahead by 15 points). Warranty: 5 years on the BMW X1, 7 on the Kia EV5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$239/wk(≈$1,037/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV5 at $56,770 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV5Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X1 and Kia EV5?
The Kia EV5 is the cheapest at $56,770 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X1 by $5,030.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
BMW X1 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2022) and Kia EV5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024). ANCAP tested these in different years (2022 vs 2024). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X1 has the largest boot at 540L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X1 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,700kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV5 makes the most power at 160kW. The Kia EV5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
Track the BMW X1 & Kia EV5
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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