BMW X5 M vs Kia EV3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 59
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 29 Oct 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW X5 M
26 of 27 standard · no option data · 1 no dataFrom
$247,800
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 460kW
- Economy
- 12.5 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 650L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia EV3
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 12.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 460L
Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 59
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$247,800RRP
- with the Kia EV3's standard kit: $247,800 (nothing to add)
$47,600RRP
- no option data for this car
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 X5 M Competition
$247,800
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $1,123 a week in repayments ($247,800 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $197 a week in repayments ($47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia EV3 starts $200,200 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV3 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The BMW X5 M 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 ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 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 EV3Driva 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's published record does not give the BMW X5 M a rating. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X5 M and 6 on the Kia EV3.
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 X5 M
None open on our record
Kia EV3
- 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
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X5 M features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X5 M stands out with head-up display, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Harman Kardon audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV3. The Kia EV3 counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X5 M gets merino leather upholstery while the Kia EV3 offers cloth. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW X5 M and 2-zone in the Kia EV3.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X5 M uses a Petrol producing 460kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.
The Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The BMW X5 M has the clear power advantage at 460kW vs 150kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW X5 M is 3.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X5 M measures 4,948mm long on a 2,972mm wheelbase, 648mm longer than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW X5 M generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 650L in the BMW X5 M and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the BMW X5 M a 190L advantage.
For towing, the BMW X5 M leads with a 2,700kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 2,200kg 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 Kia EV3's turning circle is 2.3 m tighter, 10.4 m against 12.7 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 X5 M costs about $3,563 a year (12.5 L/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV3 about $600 a year (12.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X5 M) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV3).
Where each one leads
The BMW X5 M: more power (460kW against 150kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (650L against 460L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,700kg against 500kg).
The Kia EV3: the lower starting price ($47,600 against $247,800) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 59
The Kia EV3 scores 81 to the BMW X5 M's 59 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: value (Kia EV3 ahead by 52 points), performance (BMW X5 M ahead by 47 points). Boot space with the seats up: 650L in the BMW X5 M, 460L in the Kia EV3. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW X5 M, 7 on the Kia EV3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 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 EV3Driva 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 X5 M and Kia EV3?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X5 M by $200,200.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV3 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2025). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to BMW X5 M, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X5 M has the largest boot at 650L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X5 M has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,700kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW X5 M makes the most power at 460kW. The BMW X5 M is quickest to 100km/h in 3.9s.
Track the BMW X5 M & Kia EV3
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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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