2025 Kia EV5 release date in Australia finally set after extended delays
09/16/2024 09:00 PM
The Kia EV5 is finally closing in on Australian showrooms after three months in limbo, as the South Korean car giant worked through last-minute problems.
The 2025 Kia EV5 electric SUV is due in Australian showrooms as soon as next month, as the launch of the Tesla Model Y competitor is pencilled in after months of delays.
As first reported by Drive, the scheduled June launch of the EV5 was delayed for “unexpected wheel and software updates” days before the first examples were due in Kia showrooms.
Three months later, Kia Australia has locked in a launch date for the new Model Y rival, the fourth quarter of 2024 (October to December).
MORE: 2024 Kia EV5 electric SUV hit by last-minute delay in Australia (published June 2024)
Dealers have been advised to expect the first cars next month, but deliveries could slip back to November if further delays occur.
Prices are still yet to be announced. Prior to the delays, Kia Australia hinted at a starting price of less than $60,000 plus on-road costs.
Drive understands Kia has been unable to announce prices as the fix for the faults behind the delays may have required changes to components in the vehicle.
This would affect how much the vehicle costs to build, and therefore, the final price customers must pay.
MORE: Delayed – Kia EV5 pushed to late 2024 in Australia after late snag (published July 2024)
If history is a guide, a public announcement on Kia EV5 prices may occur some time before the first examples arrive in showrooms, and dealerships can place formal customer orders.
Kia Australia said in July the delay would allow it to “reschedule” cheaper EV5 Air and Earth model grades to arrive alongside the flagship GT-Line variant, rather than a few months earlier, as originally planned.
A company spokesperson told Drive this week precise “wholesale and [customer] launch dates haven't been finalised yet” so it cannot announce for certain “whether or not GT-Line will be included in the initial launch.”
Kia has not divulged the full reasoning behind the EV5’s delays, but has previously said there were “some inconsistencies … noted with wheel weights/balance,” as well as software faults.
The post 2025 Kia EV5 release date in Australia finally set after extended delays appeared first on Drive.
