Kia EV5 vs Nissan X-Trail
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Nissan X-Trail scores higher, 77 vs 71
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 1 Oct 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
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Nissan X-Trail
15 of 27 standard · no option data · 12 no dataFrom
$38,305
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- No data
- Power
- 135kW
- Economy
- 7.4 L/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2021
- Boot (seats up)
- 585L
Top CarSorted Score, 77 vs 71
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 not offered
$38,305RRP
- no option data for this car
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.
Nissan X-Trail ST 2WD 5-seat
$38,305
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 1 Oct 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $154 a week in repayments ($38,305 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Nissan X-Trail starts $18,465 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV5 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The Nissan X-Trail 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.
Finance
From ≈$154/wk(≈$667/mo)
Estimate on the Nissan X-Trail at $38,305 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 Nissan X-Trail at 5 stars (2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2021). 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 91% for the Nissan X-Trail, 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 6 on the Nissan X-Trail.
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 X-Trail.
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 6 on the Nissan X-Trail.
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
Nissan X-Trail
- REC-006653 · published 9 Jul 2026Due to a software issue with the Lithium-ion Battery Controller (LBC) the vehicle may enter a fail-safe mode whilst driving or when the driver is using regenerative braking.Year range on the notice: 2022 - 2026
- REC-001095 · published 20 Sep 2012The bulkhead lower front insulator may warp and so the clearance to the turbocharger becomes insufficient.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- REC-003406 · published 28 Nov 2011Manufacturing defect in the power steering control unit, which can stop power assisted steering.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
- 1 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 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.
Feature Showdown
The Kia EV5 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Nissan X-Trail gets a 12.3-inch display and 7-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 Nissan X-Trail. The Nissan X-Trail counters with wireless charging. 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 X-Trail offers cloth.
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 Nissan X-Trail lines up making 135kW and 244Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 8 seconds.
The Kia EV5 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 135kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Nissan X-Trail is 0.5s 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, 75mm shorter than the Nissan X-Trail at 4,690mm (2,705mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV5 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 513L in the Kia EV5 and 585L in the Nissan X-Trail, giving the Nissan X-Trail a 72L advantage.
For towing, the Nissan X-Trail leads with a 2,000kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 1,700kg 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 Nissan X-Trail's turning circle is 0.6 m tighter, 11.1 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 Nissan X-Trail about $2,109 a year (7.4 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5) and 5 years / Unlimited (Nissan X-Trail). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV5), 5 years (Nissan X-Trail).
Where each one leads
The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 135kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Nissan X-Trail: the lower starting price ($38,305 against $56,770), the bigger boot with the seats up (585L against 513L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,000kg against 300kg).
The Verdict
Nissan X-Trail scores higher, 77 vs 71
The Nissan X-Trail scores 77 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 4 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Nissan X-Trail ahead by 31 points), practicality (Nissan X-Trail ahead by 18 points), reliability (Kia EV5 ahead by 9 points). Boot space with the seats up: 513L in the Kia EV5, 585L in the Nissan X-Trail. Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV5, 5 on the Nissan X-Trail.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$154/wk(≈$667/mo)
Estimate on the Nissan X-Trail at $38,305 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 Nissan X-Trail?
The Nissan X-Trail is the cheapest at $38,305 before on-road costs. That undercuts the Kia EV5 by $18,465.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
Kia EV5 holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2024) and Nissan X-Trail holds a 5-star ANCAP rating (tested 2021). ANCAP tested these in different years (2024 vs 2021). 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 Nissan X-Trail has the largest boot at 585L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The Nissan X-Trail has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,000kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV5 has the longest warranty that does not depend on dealer servicing at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV5 makes the most power at 160kW. The Nissan X-Trail is quickest to 100km/h in 8s.
Track the Kia EV5 & Nissan X-Trail
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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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