Hyundai Kona Electric vs Jaecoo J5
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Jaecoo J5 scores higher, 72 vs 70
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 15 Oct 2026
Hyundai Kona Electric
16 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 99kW
- Energy use
- 14.8 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★4 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 407L
Hyundai Australia offer: $43,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 31 Dec 2026. See the offer
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Jaecoo J5
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$35,990
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 155kW
- Energy use
- 16.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP hasn't rated this model
- Boot (seats up)
- 384L
Top CarSorted Score, 72 vs 70
Jaecoo Australia offer: $36,990 drive-away (state not stated), ends 30 Nov 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Ends 30 Nov 2026
Maker's terms: while stocks last.
Offer from Jaecoo Australia, checked 11 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the maker prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
Hyundai Kona Electric: we're still completing kerb weight, seat count, 0-100km/h and braked towing.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$46,000RRP
- cannot be matched: 360-Degree Camera, Heated Front Seats, Ventilated Front Seats and 2 more not offered
$35,990RRP
- 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
Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range 99kW
$46,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 15 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $190 a week in repayments ($46,000 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Jaecoo J5 EV Summit
$35,990
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 2 Sept 2026
$36,990 drive-away in VIC, as published by Jaecoo Australia
About $148 a week in repayments ($36,990 drive-away; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Jaecoo J5 starts $10,010 lower on RRP.
Both models currently qualify for the electric-vehicle Fringe Benefits Tax exemption (battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold; battery-electric and under the $91,661 threshold), which applies to salary-sacrificed novated leases.
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 ≈$148/wk(≈$641/mo)
Estimate on the Jaecoo J5 at $36,990 drive-away; 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 Hyundai Kona ElectricDriva 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 ratings include no record for the Jaecoo J5. 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 Hyundai Kona Electric and 7 on the Jaecoo J5.
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
Hyundai Kona Electric
- REC-006586 · published 9 Apr 2026A software issue in the Battery Management System (BMS) may cause an electrical short circuit while charging or parked leading to a vehicle fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2023
- REC-001592 · published 23 Aug 2021Due to a manufacturing defect, the battery does not meet specifications and may lead to an electrical short which could start a fire.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- REC-000605 · published 28 Jan 2021A software fault in the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) may significantly reduce braking performance.Year range on the notice: 2018 - 2020
- 1 more on the model page.
Jaecoo J5
None open 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.
How long to charge
48.6kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 100kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (10.4kW AC, 100kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
58.9kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 130kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (7.4kW AC, 130kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Hyundai Kona Electric features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Jaecoo J5 gets a 13.2-inch display and 8.9-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Hyundai Kona Electric stands out with Apple CarPlay — features our data doesn't list for the Jaecoo J5. The Jaecoo J5 counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Hyundai Kona Electric gets premium cloth upholstery while the Jaecoo J5 offers synthetic leather (pet-friendly).
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Hyundai Kona Electric uses a Electric producing 99kW and 255Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout.
The Jaecoo J5 responds with a Electric making 155kW and 288Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 10.5 seconds.
The Jaecoo J5 has the clear power advantage at 155kW vs 99kW. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 48.6kWh (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 58.9kWh (Jaecoo J5), giving WLTP ranges of 370km and 402km. DC fast charging peaks at 100kW (Hyundai Kona Electric) vs 130kW (Jaecoo J5).
Space & Comfort
The Hyundai Kona Electric measures 4,355mm long on a 2,660mm wheelbase, 25mm shorter than the Jaecoo J5 at 4,380mm (2,620mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Hyundai Kona Electric generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 407L in the Hyundai Kona Electric and 384L in the Jaecoo J5, giving the Hyundai Kona Electric a 23L advantage.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Hyundai Kona Electric's turning circle is 0.2 m tighter, 10.6 m against 10.8 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 Hyundai Kona Electric costs about $710 a year (14.8 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Jaecoo J5 about $792 a year (16.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $82 a year less for the Hyundai Kona Electric.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (Hyundai Kona Electric) and 8 years / Unlimited (Jaecoo J5). Capped-price servicing: no data (Hyundai Kona Electric), 8 years (Jaecoo J5).
Where each one leads
The Hyundai Kona Electric: the bigger boot with the seats up (407L against 384L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($710 a year against $792).
The Jaecoo J5: the lower starting price ($35,990 against $46,000), more power (155kW against 99kW) and the longer warranty (8 years against 5).
The Verdict
Jaecoo J5 scores higher, 72 vs 70
The Jaecoo J5 scores 72 to the Hyundai Kona Electric's 70 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 8 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Jaecoo J5 ahead by 28 points), energy efficiency (Hyundai Kona Electric ahead by 11 points), value (Jaecoo J5 ahead by 8 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Hyundai Kona Electric costs about $82 less (14.8 kWh/100km against 16.5 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Warranty: 5 years on the Hyundai Kona Electric, 8 on the Jaecoo J5.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$148/wk(≈$641/mo)
Estimate on the Jaecoo J5 at $36,990 drive-away; 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 Hyundai Kona ElectricDriva 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, Hyundai Kona Electric and Jaecoo J5?
The Jaecoo J5 is the cheapest at $35,990 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Hyundai Kona Electric by $10,010.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Jaecoo J5 has the most range at 402km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Jaecoo J5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 130kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Hyundai Kona Electric holds a 4-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP's published ratings include no record for Jaecoo J5, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
Which has the most boot space?
The Hyundai Kona Electric has the largest boot at 407L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Jaecoo J5 has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,250kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Jaecoo J5 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 8 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Jaecoo J5 makes the most power at 155kW.
Track the Hyundai Kona Electric & Jaecoo J5
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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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