Jaecoo J5 vs Kia EV5

Price and cost per week

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.

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 Jaecoo J5 features a 13.2-inch touchscreen paired with a 8.9-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 Jaecoo J5 stands out with wireless charging, ventilated seats, power tailgate and ambient lighting — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV5. The Kia EV5 counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.

Interior trim differs: the Jaecoo J5 gets synthetic leather (pet-friendly) upholstery while the Kia EV5 offers cloth & artificial leather.

Drivetrain

The Jaecoo J5 uses a Electric producing 155kW and 288Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.5 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 155kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV5 is 2.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.

Battery: 58.9kWh (Jaecoo J5) vs 64.2kWh (Kia EV5), giving WLTP ranges of 402km and 400km. DC fast charging peaks at 130kW (Jaecoo J5) vs 150kW (Kia EV5).

Space & Comfort

The Jaecoo J5 measures 4,380mm long on a 2,620mm wheelbase, 235mm 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 384L in the Jaecoo J5 and 513L in the Kia EV5, giving the Kia EV5 a 129L advantage.

For towing, the Jaecoo J5 leads with a 1,250kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 950kg 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 Jaecoo J5's turning circle is 0.9 m tighter, 10.8 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 Jaecoo J5 costs about $792 a year (16.5 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 $82 a year less for the Jaecoo J5.

Warranty: 8 years / Unlimited (Jaecoo J5) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5). Capped-price servicing: 8 years (Jaecoo J5), no data (Kia EV5).

Where each one leads

The Jaecoo J5: the lower starting price ($35,990 against $56,770), the longer warranty (8 years against 7), the higher braked towing limit (1,250kg against 300kg) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($792 a year against $874).

The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 155kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (513L against 384L).

The Verdict

Jaecoo J5 scores higher, 72 vs 71

The Jaecoo J5 scores 72 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 6 of the 12 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Jaecoo J5 ahead by 31 points), safety (Kia EV5 ahead by 21 points), energy efficiency (Jaecoo J5 ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Jaecoo J5 costs about $82 less (16.5 kWh/100km against 18.2 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 384L in the Jaecoo J5, 513L in the Kia EV5. Warranty: 8 years on the Jaecoo J5, 7 on the Kia EV5.

Common questions