BYD Atto 2 vs Kia EV5

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP's published ratings include no record for the BYD Atto 2. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.

Recalls on our record

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.

Feature Showdown

The BYD Atto 2 features a 10.1-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.8-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 BYD Atto 2 stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV5. The Kia EV5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats and V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the BYD Atto 2 gets synthetic leather upholstery while the Kia EV5 offers cloth & artificial leather.

Drivetrain

The BYD Atto 2 uses a Electric producing 130kW and 290Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.9 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 130kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BYD Atto 2 is 0.6s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 51.3kWh (BYD Atto 2) vs 64.2kWh (Kia EV5), giving WLTP ranges of 345km and 400km. DC fast charging peaks at 82kW (BYD Atto 2) vs 150kW (Kia EV5).

Space & Comfort

The BYD Atto 2 measures 4,310mm long on a 2,620mm wheelbase, 305mm 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 380L in the BYD Atto 2 and 513L in the Kia EV5, giving the Kia EV5 a 133L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1320L vs 1714L.

Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the BYD Atto 2's turning circle is 1.2 m tighter, 10.5 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, electricity for the BYD Atto 2 costs about $806 a year (16.8 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV5 about $874 a year (18.2 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $68 a year less for the BYD Atto 2.

Warranty: 6 years / 150k km (BYD Atto 2) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5).

Where each one leads

The BYD Atto 2: the lower starting price ($31,990 against $56,770) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($806 a year against $874).

The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 130kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (513L against 380L) and the longer warranty (7 years against 6).

The Verdict

BYD Atto 2 scores higher, 72 vs 71

The BYD Atto 2 scores 72 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 11 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (BYD Atto 2 ahead by 30 points), safety (Kia EV5 ahead by 23 points), value (BYD Atto 2 ahead by 11 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the BYD Atto 2 costs about $68 less (16.8 kWh/100km against 18.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 380L in the BYD Atto 2, 513L in the Kia EV5. Warranty: 6 years on the BYD Atto 2, 7 on the Kia EV5.

Common questions