Head-to-head
Kia EV5 vs Kia EV6
At $56,770 the Kia EV5 undercuts the Kia EV6 by $15,820 (22%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
Kia EV5
The EV5 slots between the Niro EV and EV6 and targets family buyers with a roomy cabin, a 555 km long-range battery, and Kia's 7-year warranty. Built in China rather than Korea.
- From
- $56,770
- Range
- 555 km
- Battery
- 81.4 kWh
Option B · SUV
Kia EV6
Built on Hyundai-Kia's 800-volt E-GMP platform, the EV6 charges from 10–80% in under 20 minutes on a 350 kW charger. The GT variant is one of the fastest production cars sold in Australia.
- From
- $72,590
- Range
- 528 km
- Battery
- 84 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Kia EV5 and Kia EV6, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
DC charging · advantage Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 accepts 93 kW more DC peak charging (233 vs 140 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 2
Range · advantage Kia EV5
The Kia EV5 goes 27 km further on a charge (555 vs 528 km WLTP).
- 3
Price · advantage Kia EV5
The Kia EV5 undercuts the Kia EV6 by $15,820 (22%) on starting price.
- 4
0–100 km/h · advantage Kia EV6
The Kia EV6 is 1.2 s quicker to 100 km/h (7.3 s vs 8.5 s).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Kia EV5 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $15,820
- ▸ 27 km longer WLTP range
Where the Kia EV6 wins
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (7.3s vs 8.5s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (233 kW vs 140 kW)
Kia EV5
What we like
- ✓ 555 km long-range option is best-in-class
- ✓ Seven-year warranty across the line
- ✓ Spacious, well-finished interior
What we don't
- ✕ AWD performance variant not offered
- ✕ Slower 0-100 than direct rivals
- ✕ China origin matters to some buyers
Kia EV6
What we like
- ✓ 800V architecture for ultra-fast DC charging
- ✓ Striking exterior design
- ✓ Excellent ride/handling balance
What we don't
- ✕ Rear seat headroom limited by sloping roofline
- ✕ Boot smaller than EV5
- ✕ Updates have pushed price upward each year
Frequently asked: Kia EV5 vs Kia EV6
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Kia EV5 or the Kia EV6?
- The Kia EV5 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $56,770 versus $72,590 for the Kia EV6, a $15,820 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Kia EV5 has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 555 km, 27 km further than the Kia EV6's 528 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Kia EV6 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 233 kW versus 140 kW for the Kia EV5. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Kia EV6 does 0–100 km/h in 7.3 seconds — 1.2 s quicker than the Kia EV5's 8.5 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Kia EV5 better value than the Kia EV6?
- On paper the Kia EV5 is $15,820 cheaper, but the Kia EV6 edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Kia EV5
if…
- ✓ you want to save $15,820 on the sticker
- ✓ you match the profile: families
Choose the
Kia EV6
if…
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you want quicker acceleration off the line
- ✓ you match the profile: frequent road-trippers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.