Kia’s new electric SUV, the EV5, has officially launched, marking its debut at the Chengdu Motor Show in August 2023.
Starting at an attractive price of 149,800 yuan (approximately $20,000), the Kia EV5 quickly gained traction, establishing itself as the top-selling electric vehicle (EV) in Australia, surpassing all models from BYD with 1,167 units sold in 2025.
The EV5 has shown steady sales growth since its arrival in international markets, with monthly sales figures demonstrating an upward trend: from 289 units in January to 478 in March.
Kia EV5 Launches as Australia’s Top-Selling Electric SUV
While BYD’s Sealion 7 briefly edged out the EV5 in sales during March, the Kia SUV continues to capture the interest of consumers in Australia, suggesting a resilient presence in an increasingly competitive EV landscape.
Despite challenges posed by the ongoing EV price war and the emergence of low-cost domestic models, Kia’s overall performance has been impressive. The automaker sold over 200,000 vehicles in China for the first time in four years, achieving a remarkable 49.2% increase in sales.
The EV5’s entry has contributed significantly to this turnaround, leading Kia’s joint venture, Weda Kia, to pursue aggressive expansion plans that include boosting exports to 180,000 vehicles annually across 76 countries.
Looking ahead, Kia plans to introduce the EV5 to additional global markets such as Canada, South Korea, and Mexico, although it will not be available in the U.S. Interestingly, for the Canadian market, the EV5 will feature a native NACS charging port to accommodate Tesla Superchargers, making it an appealing option for North American consumers.
As Kia continues to build its EV portfolio, the performance of the EV5 in these varied markets will provide valuable insights into the brand’s global strategy.