Kia EV5 vs Kia Seltos
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Kia EV5 scores higher, 71 vs 68
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 15 Nov 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 68, but the Kia Seltos is $25,520 cheaper
Kia Australia offer: Cashback, ends 30 Nov 2026. Terms
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia Seltos
12 of 27 standard · no option data · 7 not offered · 8 no dataFrom
$31,250
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 110kW
- Economy
- 6.9 L/100km
- Safety
- Not rated by ANCAP
- Boot (seats up)
- 468L
Run-out stock: confirm with a dealer
Car loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Manufacturer offer
Reference imageEnds 30 Nov 2026
Manufacturer's terms: Offer available at participating Kia dealers on any in-stock new or demonstrator eligible vehicle purchased and delivered between 1 September and 30 November 2026.
Offer from Kia Australia, checked 15 Nov 2026
T&Cs apply, as the manufacturer prints them. Eligibility, stock and build limits vary, so confirm the offer with the dealer.
$56,770RRP
- with the Kia Seltos's standard kit: $56,770 (nothing to add)
$31,250RRP
- cannot be matched: Adaptive Cruise Control, Rain-Sensing Wipers, Digital Radio (DAB+) and 1 more not offered
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 15 Nov 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
Kia Seltos S
$31,250
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 8 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
Both totals exclude insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year (fixed for every comparison) in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Each car's fuel or charging price is in its own breakdown. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
Both totals exclude insurance, so the lowest is on the same parts.
Cash outlay over 5 years: the deposit, the repayments and the running costs. Excludes resale value. Every column on the same basis: 15,000 km a year in VIC, repayment assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Estimate only, not a quote or an offer of credit.
On the rated figures, the Kia Seltos leads on standard features per $10,000: 2.8 per $10,000 on RRP (16 of 19 standard) for the Kia EV5; 3.8 per $10,000 on RRP (12 of 19 standard) for the Kia Seltos. On the rated figures, the Kia Seltos leads on price per kw: $355 per kW on RRP for the Kia EV5; $284 per kW on RRP for the Kia Seltos. On the rated figures, the Kia Seltos leads on price per litre of boot: $111 per litre of boot on RRP for the Kia EV5; $67 per litre of boot on RRP for the Kia Seltos. These ratios are not part of the CarSorted Score.
The Kia Seltos starts $25,520 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Kia Seltos 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.
Run-out stock (Kia Seltos). Remaining new stock of an outgoing model. Confirm availability with the dealer.
Finance
From ≈$121/wk(≈$526/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Seltos at $31,250 RRP, before on-road costs, run-out stock; 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's published record does not give the Kia Seltos 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 Kia EV5 and 5 on the Kia Seltos.
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 Seltos
- REC-006395 · published 30 Jul 2025The piston rings fitted to the engines of certain vehicles may not meet manufacturing specifications, and could cause engine failure and vehicle stalling.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2022
- REC-005962 · published 20 May 2024Due to a manufacturing defect, the side curtain airbag may inflate without warning.Year range on the notice: 2023
- REC-005699 · published 15 Jun 2023Due to a software issue, the instrument cluster may fail to illuminate the visual seat belt warning as required by the Australian Design Rules (ADR) 04/06.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2023
- 2 more on the model page.
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging and range
The rated figures side by side: electric range and fuel use with the battery depleted for a plug-in hybrid or range extender, the km each battery-electric car adds overnight on its own onboard charger, and the DC time in the window each document prints.
| 2026 Kia EV5 Air Standard Range FWD | 2026 Kia Seltos S | |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Battery electric | Petrol or diesel |
| Added overnight, 10A power point (2.4 kW) | 132 km in 10 h | Not applicable |
| Added overnight, 7.4 kW wallbox | 353 km in 10 hCapped: this car accepts 6.6 kW AC, a full battery | Not applicable |
| DC fast charge, as printed | 30 min, 0-80% | Not applicable |
| Charging connector | CCS2 | Not applicable |
| Portable charger supplied | No data | Not applicable |
| Type 2 cable supplied | No data | Not applicable |
| Front boot | 67 L | No data |
- Km added in 10 hours: the charger rate, capped by the car's own onboard charger, over its own rated energy use. A car without an onboard charger or energy figure is No data, never an assumed rate.
- DC times are printed only in the window the document gives (0-80% or 10-80%). Different windows are not one measure, so nobody leads across them.
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 (6.6kW AC, 150kW 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 Seltos gets a 8-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV5 stands out with heated front seats and V2L: features our data doesn't list for the Kia Seltos. 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 Seltos offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV5 and 1-zone in the Kia Seltos.
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 Seltos responds with a Petrol making 110kW and 180Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 9.2 seconds.
The Kia EV5 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 110kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV5 is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV5 measures 4,615mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 230mm longer than the Kia Seltos at 4,385mm (2,630mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 513L in the Kia EV5 and 468L in the Kia Seltos, giving the Kia EV5 a 45L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1714L vs 1428L.
For towing, the Kia Seltos leads with a 1,100kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 800kg 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 Seltos's turning circle is 1.1 m tighter, 10.6 m against 11.7 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Front boot (frunk)
Kia EV5
67 L
Kia Seltos
No data
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, electricity for the Kia EV5 costs about $819 a year (18.2 kWh/100km, at $0.30/kWh electricity) and fuel for the Kia Seltos about $2,018 a year (6.9 L/100km, at $1.95/L petrol).
The weekly and 5-year figures in the price section above add repayments, rego, servicing and tyres to this; use our Fuel Cost Calculator for your own driving.
Warranty: 7 years / unlimited km (Kia EV5) and 7 years / unlimited km (Kia Seltos).
- The Kia EV5 costs $25,520 more on RRP and $1,268 a year less in energy at 15,000 km a year: the gap closes only beyond 300,000 km.
Energy only. Excludes servicing, rego, insurance, finance interest and resale. Prices are compared only on one basis.
Where each one leads
The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 110kW) and the bigger boot with the seats up (513L against 468L).
The Kia Seltos: the lower starting price ($31,250 against $56,770) and the higher braked towing limit (1,100kg against 300kg).
The Verdict
Kia EV5 scores higher, 71 vs 68
The Kia EV5 scores 71 to the Kia Seltos's 68 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 6 spec rows that separate them. The biggest gaps: safety (Kia EV5 ahead by 27 points), performance (Kia EV5 ahead by 10 points). Boot space with the seats up: 513L in the Kia EV5, 468L in the Kia Seltos.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Run-out stock (Kia Seltos). Remaining new stock of an outgoing model. Confirm availability with the dealer.
Finance
From ≈$121/wk(≈$526/mo)
Estimate on the Kia Seltos at $31,250 RRP, before on-road costs, run-out stock; 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 Seltos?
The Kia Seltos is the cheapest at $31,250 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV5 by $25,520.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024). ANCAP's published record does not give a rating to Kia Seltos, so there is nothing to compare on crash performance. Compare the active-safety features above instead.
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).
Which can tow the most?
The Kia Seltos has the highest braked towing capacity at 1,100kg.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV5 makes the most power at 160kW. The Kia EV5 is quickest to 100km/h in 8.5s.
Track the Kia EV5 & Kia Seltos
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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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