Kia EV5 vs Kia Sportage

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

ANCAP lists the Kia EV5 at 5 stars (2024) and the Kia Sportage at 5 stars (2022). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2022). 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 87% for the Kia Sportage, under different test years.

Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Kia EV5, against 5 on the Kia Sportage.

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 Sportage.

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 Kia EV5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia Sportage gets a 12.3-inch display and 4-inch instruments. 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 Sportage. 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 Sportage offers cloth. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV5 and 1-zone in the Kia Sportage.

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 Sportage responds with a Petrol making 115kW and 192Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels.

The Kia EV5 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 115kW. 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, 70mm shorter than the Kia Sportage at 4,685mm (2,755mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia Sportage generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 513L in the Kia EV5 and 543L in the Kia Sportage, giving the Kia Sportage a 30L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1714L vs 1829L.

For towing, the Kia Sportage leads with a 1,650kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 1,350kg 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 Sportage's turning circle is 0.3 m tighter, 11.4 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 Kia EV5 costs about $874 a year (18.2 kWh/100km) and fuel for the Kia Sportage about $2,309 a year (8.1 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia Sportage).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 115kW).

The Kia Sportage: the lower starting price ($38,490 against $56,770), the bigger boot with the seats up (543L against 513L) and the higher braked towing limit (1,650kg against 300kg).

The Verdict

Kia Sportage scores higher, 76 vs 71

The Kia Sportage scores 76 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 3 of the 5 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Kia Sportage ahead by 31 points), practicality (Kia Sportage ahead by 12 points), performance (Kia EV5 ahead by 7 points).

Common questions