Kia EV5 vs Nissan ARIYA
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 20 Sep 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the maker lists it
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.
$56,770RRP
- no option data for this car
$55,840RRP
- with the Kia EV5's standard kit: $55,840 (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.
Track the Kia EV5 & Nissan ARIYA
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Price Breakdown
The Kia EV5 starts from $56,770 before on-road costs, while the Nissan ARIYA opens at $55,840. That makes the Nissan ARIYA the more affordable entry point by $930.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $62,447 and $61,424 respectively.
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), a significant advantage for salary-sacrificed novated leases.
Safety Rundown
Both the Kia EV5 and Nissan ARIYA hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the Kia EV5 and 86% for the Nissan ARIYA.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the Nissan ARIYA, against 6 on the Kia EV5.
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 Nissan ARIYA.
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
Nissan ARIYA
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 ultra-rapid DC, estimated from battery size and max 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
87kWh 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 Kia EV5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan ARIYA gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV5 stands out with V2L — features our data doesn't list for the Nissan ARIYA. The Nissan ARIYA counters with head-up display, wireless charging 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 Nissan ARIYA offers nappa leather.
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 Nissan ARIYA responds with a Electric making 160kW and 300Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 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 Nissan ARIYA is 0.5s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 64.2kWh (Kia EV5) vs 63kWh (Nissan ARIYA), giving WLTP ranges of 400km and 385km. DC fast charging peaks at 150kW (Kia EV5) vs 130kW (Nissan ARIYA).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV5 measures 4,615mm long on a 2,750mm wheelbase, 20mm longer than the Nissan ARIYA at 4,595mm (2,775mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Nissan ARIYA generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 513L in the Kia EV5 and 466L in the Nissan ARIYA, giving the Kia EV5 a 47L advantage.
For towing, the Nissan ARIYA leads with a 750kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 450kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
11.5m to 11.7m
Based on 11.7m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Based on 11.5m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Compare U-turns side by side
Turning Circle · U-turn compare
kerb-to-kerb, 2 cars0 of 2 clear a 7.0 m street in one sweep
Green cars complete the U-turn; amber need a 3-point turn. Drag the slider to test tighter streets.
Standard widths: AU local streets ~5.5–7 m; main roads ~9–12 m.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV5) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Nissan ARIYA). The Kia EV5 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia EV5 if: You need more boot space, value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Nissan ARIYA if: You want the lower entry price, need stronger towing, or prefer Nissan's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
Kia EV5: Top CarSorted Score, 75 vs 73, but the Nissan ARIYA is $930 cheaper
The Kia EV5 comes out ahead on the CarSorted Score (75 vs 73), taking 6 of 9 key spec rows below. The deciding gaps: reliability (Kia EV5 ahead by 9), value (Kia EV5 ahead by 3). If boot space matters, the Kia EV5 has a clear edge. The Kia EV5 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia EV5 and Nissan ARIYA?
The Nissan ARIYA is the cheapest at $55,840 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV5 by $930.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Kia EV5 has the most range at 400km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Kia EV5 accepts the highest DC charging at up to 150kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: Kia EV5 and Nissan ARIYA all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. 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).
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV5 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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