2024 Kia EV5 electric SUV spied in Australia

The 2024 Kia EV5 has been spotted testing in Australia ahead of first showroom arrivals due from the middle of this year.

Estimated to be priced from $60,000 before on-road costs, the EV5 is a rival to the Tesla Model Y, and is built in China – a first for a Kia in Australia.

Images captured by a Drive reader show local testing has commenced – set to include tuning of the suspension for Australian roads – before production commences in the coming months, ahead of expected local arrivals in July.

MORE: 2024 Kia EV5 due in Australia mid-year, from China

The light blue example spotted appears to be front-wheel drive, given the lack of an all-wheel drive badge on the tailgate.

In China there will be two battery options, both using lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry.

The standard-range 64kWh battery is built by BYD and good for 530km of claimed driving range in lenient Chinese testing, or an 88kWh battery for a claimed 720km range in Chinese testing, or an estimated 530km according to more stringent European test protocols.

Three model grades have been confirmed for Australia, with the cheaper Air and Earth to arrive first, followed by the top-of-the-range GT-Line a few months later.

The EV5 is a similar size to a Tesla Model Y or Kia Sportage, and is slightly smaller than a Kia EV6.

A starting price of $60,000 plus on-road costs would make it about $5000 cheaper than a Tesla Model Y RWD, and cost $12,000 less than a Kia EV6, but it would be $10,000 more expensive than a smaller BYD Atto 3.