Kia EV5 vs Kia EV9
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Kia EV5 scores higher, 71 vs 67
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
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
Top CarSorted Score, 71 vs 67
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia EV9
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 2 not offered · 4 no dataFrom
$97,000
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 160kW
- Energy use
- 21.7 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2023
- Boot (seats up)
- 333L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$56,770RRP
- cannot be matched: Wireless Phone Charging, Ventilated Front Seats and Power Tailgate not offered
$97,000RRP
- with the Kia EV5's standard kit: $97,000 (nothing to add)
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
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.
Kia EV9 Air RWD
$97,000
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $425 a week in repayments ($97,000 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 $40,230 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Kia EV9 does not: above the $91,661 fuel-efficient lct threshold.
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 Kia EV5 at 5 stars (2024) and the Kia EV9 at 5 stars (2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2023). Its criteria get stricter about every three years, so the stars are not like for like. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the Kia EV5 and 84% for the Kia EV9, under different test years.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on both.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 7 in the Kia EV5 and 7 in the Kia EV9.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the Kia EV5 and 7 on the Kia EV9.
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
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
Kia EV9
- 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
- REC-006250 · published 22 Jan 2025Due to a manufacturing defect, vehicles may have been assembled with missing seat mounting bolts.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
- REC-006126 · published 22 Oct 2024Due to a software issue, the Integrated Electronic Brake (IEB) system may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2023 - 2024
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.
How long to charge
99.8kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 240kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 240kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia EV5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV9 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV9 counters with wireless charging, ventilated seats and power tailgate. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia EV5 gets cloth & artificial leather upholstery while the Kia EV9 offers synthetic leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV5 and 3-zone in the Kia EV9.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The Kia EV5 uses a Electric producing 160kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia EV9 responds with a Electric making 160kW and 350Nm, paired to a automatic driving the rear wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds.
Power output is identical on paper, so the difference comes down to tuning, weight distribution, and suspension. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV9 is 0.3s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.2kWh (Kia EV5) vs 76.1kWh (Kia EV9), giving WLTP ranges of 400km and 519km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (Kia EV5) vs 240kW (Kia EV9).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV5 measures 4,615mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 395mm shorter than the Kia EV9 at 5,010mm (3,100mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV9 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 513L in the Kia EV5 and 333L in the Kia EV9, giving the Kia EV5 a 180L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1714L vs 828L. The Kia EV9 seats 7 vs 5.
For towing, the Kia EV9 leads with a 900kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 600kg 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 EV5's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 11.7 m against 12.0 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 Kia EV5 costs about $874 a year (18.2 kWh/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV9 about $1,042 a year (21.7 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh. That is $168 a year less for the Kia EV5.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV9).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV5: the lower starting price ($56,770 against $97,000), the bigger boot with the seats up (513L against 333L) and lower fuel or energy costs on our assumptions ($874 a year against $1,042).
The Kia EV9: the higher braked towing limit (900kg against 300kg).
The Verdict
Kia EV5 scores higher, 71 vs 67
The Kia EV5 scores 71 to the Kia EV9's 67 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 8 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: energy efficiency (Kia EV5 ahead by 23 points), technology (Kia EV9 ahead by 20 points), value (Kia EV5 ahead by 12 points). At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV5 costs about $168 less (18.2 kWh/100km against 21.7 kWh/100km, at 32c a kWh). Boot space with the seats up: 513L in the Kia EV5, 333L in the Kia EV9.
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, Kia EV5 and Kia EV9?
The Kia EV5 is the cheapest at $56,770 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV9 by $40,230.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Kia EV9 has the most range at 443km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Kia EV9 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 240kW.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024) and Kia EV9 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2023). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2023). 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 Kia EV5 has the largest boot at 513L with the seats up (1,714L with the seats folded).
Track the Kia EV5 & Kia EV9
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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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