Kia New Zealand expecting 2025 EV market return

Kia New Zealand General Manager Todd McDonald seems unfazed about launching a new electric vehicle into a currently near-dead segment, expecting the market to return in 2025.

In launching the EV5, its first Chinese-built model set to sit between the ICE Sportage and Sorento in the company’s range, McDonald says having a quiet market has allowed the brand to train and prepare their network in a way that is not normally possible.

“Launching the EV5 in the market as it is, is a good opportunity, as the Roadshow has allowed us to educate, sales, service, parts and admin staff on the benefits of the EV5. We wouldn’t have been able to do this in a busier period.”

The volume of the vehicle doesn’t actually arrive until September, and the gap is appreciated in allowing the market to slowly return – which he believes will happen properly next year.

“(In 2025) we would expect a shift in the New Zealand EV market, back to EVs.”

Specifically, with the EV5, McDonald believes the brand’s choice to go only with a large, long-range 88.1kWh battery – made by BYD’s Findreams unit – is an important one.

Some had predicted Kia could opt for a 64 or 71kWh entry-level option, but the larger battery sets the model apart from its competition, giving a WLTP range of between 500 and 540km.

The battery size, and a $67,990 starting price, gives the model a price-per-kWh ratio of $772, against $938 for the KG Mobility Torres EVX, $1060 for the Tesla Model 3, $866.50 (on special pricing) for the BYD Atto 3, and $787 for the Omoda E5. It even beats the clearance-priced Volkswagen ID4 at $779.

“It represents a leap forward in the mass market EV sector for a medium SUV.”

The EV5 sits within the largest EV range currently offered by a mainstream brand in the country. It is bigger than the Niro, shorter than the EV6 – though larger in interior volume – and smaller than the EV9 that it resembles in design.

It has a suspension and steering setup tuned for Australasian roads through Australian testing.

There was a significant NZ testing programme, covering some 25,000km, focused on the EV Connect system that arrives in New Zealand for the first time. Already in use in numerous markets with eight million global users, the app – free for five years – allows remote control of a range of vehicle settings, and unlocking and locking, though it stops short of a digital key.

The app and vehicle infotainment system can access live information on all networked DC chargers in the country.

The range opens with a front-wheel drive Light model. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloys, LED headlamps, DRL and rear taillights, manual flush door handles, smart cruise control, smart key, interior start/stop button, cloth seat trim with manual adjustment, highway driving assist 2, a rearview camera with front and rear parking sensors, 12.3″ sat nav with 12.3″ instrument cluster, 5″ HVAC display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Kia Connect, OTA software updates, six-speaker sound system, dual-zone climate control and ECM interior mirror.

The Light+ 2WD long-range costs $70,450 plus on-road charges. It mirrors the specifications of the entry-level Light 2WD but adds a blind spot view monitor, 360-view camera, parking collision assist, remote smart park assist, front/side/rear parking sensors, electric folding exterior mirrors, cloth/leather upholstery, and power adjustable driver’s seat.

The Earth long-range 2WD (540km WLTP) retails from $75,450 plus on-road costs, and the Earth long-range AWD (500km WLTP) retails from $80,450 plus on-road costs.

The Earth AWD has a dual motor layout offering power and torque of 230kW and 480Nm.

In addition to the Light+ 2WD, both Earth models are supplied with 19″ alloy wheels, privacy glass, Gloss Black roof rails, auto flush door handles, power child safety door lock, safe exit assist, smart power tailgate, artificial leather seats, heated front seats, full-colour heads-up display, wireless charger, V2L function and heat pump.

The halo model is the EV5 GT-LINE long-range AWD (500km WLTP), retailing from $85,450 plus on-road costs.

In addition to the Earth AWD, it is equipped with 20″ alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, sequential front and rear turn signals, power front passenger seats, driver’s memory seat function with ventilation, massage seat function, eight-speaker Harman/Kardon audio, fingerprint recognition, ambient mood lighting, alloy pedals, front and rear auto up/down and safety windows, and a console box with a cooling and warming function.

EVs and Beyond will have a full review available on July 18th.