Head-to-head
Kia EV5 vs Nissan Ariya
Just $930 separates the Kia EV5 and Nissan Ariya on starting price, but the Kia EV5 goes 51 km further on a charge. Here's where the rest of the spec sheets pull apart.
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
Nissan Ariya
Nissan's electric mid-size SUV — finally in Australia after a long wait, with the longest factory warranty of any EV on sale: 10 years / 300,000 km on both vehicle and battery.
- From
- $55,840
- Range
- 504 km
- Battery
- 87 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Kia EV5 and Nissan Ariya, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
Range · advantage Kia EV5
The Kia EV5 goes 51 km further on a charge (555 vs 504 km WLTP).
- 2
Warranty · advantage Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya covers the vehicle for 3 more years (10 vs 7 yrs).
- 3
Battery · advantage Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya carries a 5.6 kWh larger battery (87 vs 81.4 kWh).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Kia EV5 wins
- ▸ 51 km longer WLTP range
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (140 kW vs 130 kW)
Where the Nissan Ariya wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $930
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (8.1s vs 8.5s)
- ▸ Longer warranty (10 years)
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
Nissan Ariya
What we like
- ✓ Class-leading 10-year / 300,000 km warranty (best in Australia)
- ✓ Fresh 2025 ANCAP 5-star rating
- ✓ Class-leading 22 kW three-phase AC charging
What we don't
- ✕ Modest 0-100 for the price (8.1s)
- ✕ Pricing climbs sharply for AWD e-4ORCE variants
- ✕ Late to market — competitors have evolved further
Frequently asked: Kia EV5 vs Nissan Ariya
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Kia EV5 or the Nissan Ariya?
- The Nissan Ariya is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $55,840 versus $56,770 for the Kia EV5, a $930 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, 51 km further than the Nissan Ariya's 504 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 EV5 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 140 kW versus 130 kW for the Nissan Ariya. 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 Nissan Ariya does 0–100 km/h in 8.1 seconds — 0.4 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.
- Which has the longer warranty?
- The Nissan Ariya is covered by a 10-year vehicle warranty, versus 7 years for the Kia EV5. Both also carry separate high-voltage battery warranties — check the manufacturer's site for the latest kilometre and condition limits.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Kia EV5
if…
- ✓ maximum range matters (51 km further per charge)
- ✓ you match the profile: families
Choose the
Nissan Ariya
if…
- ✓ peace-of-mind warranty matters (3 more years of cover)
- ✓ you match the profile: warranty-focused buyers
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.