Kia EV5 vs Subaru Forester

Price and cost per week

Safety Rundown

Both the Kia EV5 and Subaru Forester hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2024. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the Kia EV5 and 83% for the Subaru Forester.

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 9 in the Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester adds a 360-degree camera that the Kia EV5 misses.

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 Subaru Forester gets a 11.6-inch display and 4.2-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 Subaru Forester. The Subaru Forester 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 Subaru Forester offers cloth.

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 Subaru Forester responds with a Petrol making 136kW and 247Nm, paired to a cvt driving all four wheels.

The Kia EV5 has the clear power advantage at 160kW vs 136kW. 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, 40mm shorter than the Subaru Forester at 4,655mm (2,670mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Kia EV5 generally means more rear legroom.

Boot space is 513L in the Kia EV5 and 496L in the Subaru Forester, giving the Kia EV5 a 17L advantage. Fold the rears and you get 1714L vs 1174L.

For towing, the Subaru Forester leads with a 1,800kg braked capacity vs 300kg. That 1,500kg 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 Subaru Forester's turning circle is 0.9 m tighter, 10.8 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 Subaru Forester about $2,252 a year (7.9 L/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.

Warranty: 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV5) and 5 years / Unlimited (Subaru Forester). Capped-price servicing: no data (Kia EV5), 5 years (Subaru Forester).

Where each one leads

The Kia EV5: more power (160kW against 136kW), the bigger boot with the seats up (513L against 496L) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).

The Subaru Forester: the lower starting price ($45,990 against $56,770) and the higher braked towing limit (1,800kg against 300kg).

The Verdict

Subaru Forester scores higher, 76 vs 71

The Subaru Forester scores 76 to the Kia EV5's 71 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 2 of the 6 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: technology (Subaru Forester ahead by 31 points), practicality (Subaru Forester ahead by 14 points), safety (Subaru Forester ahead by 8 points). Warranty: 7 years on the Kia EV5, 5 on the Subaru Forester.

Common questions