Look out, Lexus! Zeekr could offer Australia's most sumptuous people mover
The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively.
Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space.
That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney.
"With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here."
While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage.
Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe.
"The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou.
"The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation.
"We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher.
"Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?"
Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale.
The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026.
Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage.
"We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou.
Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level.
For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM.
The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system.
VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge.
Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle.
MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production.
The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively.
Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space.
That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney.
"With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here."
While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage.
Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe.
"The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou.
"The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation.
"We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher.
"Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?"
Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale.
The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026.
Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage.
"We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou.
Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level.
For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM.
The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system.
VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge.
Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle.
MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production.
The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively.
Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space.
That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney.
"With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here."
While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage.
Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe.
"The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou.
"The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation.
"We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher.
"Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?"
Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale.
The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026.
Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage.
"We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou.
Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level.
For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM.
The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system.
VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge.
Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle.
MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
Zeekr Australia wants to spice up the local people mover market by launching the ultra-luxurious 009 Grand Down Under, although its arrival is contingent on as-yet unconfirmed right-hand drive production.
The standard 009 went on sale in Australia late last year, offered in either seven-seat or six-seat configurations, priced at $135,900 and $139,900 before on-road costs, respectively.
Sales have gradually increased since launch – 66 have been sold this year to the end of June – although the Lexus LM (163 deliveries) and Mercedes-Benz V-Class (141) remain the preferred options in the premium people mover space.
That hasn't stopped Zeekr's local team from enquiring about the Grand, which hit the Chinese market a few months ago at roughly double the price of the standard 009 variants.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
"We are exploring ways to launch it in Australia officially at the moment," Zeekr Australia marketing boss, Andrew Haurissa told local media in Sydney.
"With the 009 present in the local market, that makes a compelling argument to have the Grand here."
While the Grand would be welcomed to Australian showrooms, there's no guarantee it will be produced in right-hand drive at this stage.
Zeekr is in the process of investigating the viability of a conversion for the Grand, which will be informed by the sales performance of other 009 variants across the globe.
"The right-hand drive is here but only as a six- or seven-seater, we are investigating the possibility of the Grand, not only for Australia but for all right-hand drive market depending on customer needs and the business case," said Zeekr global product marketing director Tony Zhou.
"The Grand version is a new variant that only launched in China a few months ago in left-hand drive. To convert from left- to right-hand drive takes time, including the product development, engineering and homologation.
"We need a positive business case, which we are investigating now. The performance of the current versions will give us the confidence to deliver the Grand version, because the Grand is positioned much higher than current versions, which means the price will be much higher.
"Just look at the price in China, it's around double the normal versions. Converting to right-hand drive the price will be much higher, how many customers will choose this one? And given the volume assumptions, what will be the business case?"
Based on pricing in the Chinese market and the costs involved in readying a vehicle for sale in Australia, it would be reasonable to expect that the 009 Grand could retail for north of $250,000 locally, making it the most expensive people mover on sale.
The 009 is one of two Zeekr models currently available in Australia, alongside the compact X electric SUV. Both will be joined by the larger 7X SUV later this year, with a further SUV offering to come in 2026.
Mr Zhou says that the brand wants to avoid overcrowding its Australian showrooms at this early stage.
"We need to consider the product lineup here, because we have two versions already, the X, and the 7X coming, we're going to have a new model next year, it's about whether the showrooms can contain so many variants," said Mr Zhou.
Zeekr markets the 009 as a luxury people mover, but the Grand elevates that premium positioning to another level.
For starters, the third row of seats has been deleted to maximise second row passenger legroom. Instead, the rear section houses a pair of airplane-style individual seats with 24-way electric adjustment, 12 zones of support, heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
There's also a huge divider between the front and rear compartments, like the Lexus LM.
The cabin is now trimmed in hand-polished stainless-steel elements and natural Himalayan marble, while entertainment is delivered through a 43-inch mini-LED screen and 31-speaker Yamaha sound system.
VIP passengers can also enjoy full privacy courtesy of light curtain glass technology that offers adjustable window tinting, and ice-cold refreshments thanks to an 18-litre mini fridge.
Like the base 009, the Grand features a dual-motor electric powertrain that can propel the people mover from 0-100km/h in 3.9 seconds in this application. Zeekr quotes 702km of driving range on the more optimistic CLTC testing cycle.
MORE: Explore the Zeekr 009 showroom
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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7NEWS
4 hours ago
- 7NEWS
2025 Kia EV5 Earth AWD review
The Kia EV5 has been something of a breakout success story for the Korean automaker Down Under, quickly becoming the brand's top-selling electric vehicle (EV) locally as well as one of this country's favourite EVs, period. After launching in October last year, the Chinese-built EV5's sales have steadily grown, to the point where in the first half of 2025 it was Australia's fourth best-selling EV behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, as well as the BYD Sealion 7. To the end of July, Kia is sitting at 3227 deliveries for the EV5, which isn't far off the much cheaper, petrol-powered K4 small sedan and Stonic light SUV in terms of outright volume, which is impressive. What makes it so popular? Well, the trusted Kia brand no doubt helps attract foot traffic through dealer doors, as does the fact the EV5 lines up nicely as a zero-emissions companion to the already-popular Sportage mid-size SUV. Further, it's fairly well priced – starting from $56,770 drive-away – and it offers heaps of space courtesy of its boxy body, plus it's covered by Kia's lengthy seven-year warranty, roadside assistance and capped-price servicing program. Indeed, many mid-size electric SUV buyers may view this Chinese-made Kia as a safer bet than a relatively unknown Chinese-branded newcomer… Watch: Paul's video review of the Kia EV5 Earth On test here we have the 2025 Kia EV5 Earth (AWD Long Range), the penultimate variant in a four-strong range that starts inthe high $50,000s and tops out in the mid-$70,000s. Apart from adding all-wheel drive, it ups the featureset and aesthetics over the entry-level Air, and you also get the option of an eye-catching Nougat Brown interior, as tested, which isn't available on any other variant in the range. Could this be the Goldilocks of Kia's mid-size electric SUV lineup? Or are you better off choosing either the cheaper grades or the pricier but fully decked-out GT-Line flagship? How much does the Kia EV5 cost? The Earth AWD on test here is the second most expensive variant in the Australian EV5 range, starting from $64,770 before on-road costs or $68,990 drive-away. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What is the Kia EV5 like on the inside? I have to give Kia props for keeping the production EV5 so close to the concept that previewed it. The EV5 continues Kia's pared back interior design that has been filtering out throughout its latest models, but the optional Nougat interior adds a pop of colour that's interesting while lightening up the cabin a bit. While it may not be to all tastes, it's far from boring and helps highlight the various design details throughout the cockpit, and also contrasts nicely with the grey accents on secondary surfaces. Up front you get Kia's ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) display module, housing twin 12.3-inch displays for the driver's instrument cluster and infotainment touchscreen, and bookending a 5.0-inch digital climate control pod. It's become standard fare for all new Kias, and as we've experienced previously it's easy to use, quick to respond, and fully featured with Kia Connect services, as well as wireless smartphone mirroring, DAB+ digital radio and online navigation. The retro-futuristic graphics are a nice touch, though I'd like to see the option of dial-aping meters for the driver's display. If you find touch controls for the climate controls too fiddly, there are physical toggles on the dash too. Kia's connected services suite extends to app compatibility and remote functions that you can toggle via your smartphone, and there's also an intelligent voice assistant that can input destinations, check the weather, and the like. The open plan-style cabin layout brings a lounge-like airiness, but to some that could make the EV5 feel a little… sparse. The floating centre console doesn't have a wireless phone charger in this specification, so there's just a tray that sees your stuff sliding about all the time. The bench-style front seat has carried over from the concept, but in lieu of a sixth perch between the driver and front passenger, there's an odd pocket nook that can be used to hide a phone or wallet, but not much else. Big-ish bottle holders and shallow door pockets bolster the front glovebox and the space ahead of the floating console for something like a handbag, but other than the soft-touch dash and door inserts, and the capacitive-style shortcuts at the base of the touchscreen embedded into the dash fascia, it can come off quite minimalist and almost too bare. This is reflected in the rear as well, where the boxy body and high roofline make for an open and airy feel, but there's not a whole lot in the way of design flair. It's very functional, though. Space for six-footers is plentiful, and there are amenities like air vents mounted to the B-pillars, as well as USB-C charge ports on the front seat backs. There's a fold-down centre armrest with two cupholders too, making for a generally comfortable space that can easily accommodate multiple passengers on longer drives. Rear-seat occupants are able to make use of the sliding storage tray, which resides behind the centre console under the front middle 'seat'. Kiddies are catered for with ISOFIX and top-tether child seat mounts, as you'd expect. The Kia EV5's boot measures a claimed 513 litres with the rear seats in use, expanding to a massive 1714 litres with them folded – and they fold pretty much flat. An underfloor tray offers room to put cables or hide things out of sight. On either side of the boot are movable pegs, which can be used for hanging small bags and other cargo. Kia has also fitted six mounting locations for these pegs on either side for greater versatility. There's a 250V household-type power outlet in the cargo areas as well, which is the EV5's V2L (vehicle-to-load) socket that can be used to power or charge electrical appliances or devices in the rear of the cabin. You'll notice there's no spare wheel though – just a tyre repair kit, sadly. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What's under the bonnet? The EV5 Earth is only offered locally with the flagship AWD Long Range drivetrain, which is shared with the GT-Line. The Earth's smaller wheel and tyre package means it delivers quicker acceleration and a longer range than the top-shelf GT-Line according to claimed performance and range metrics – ie: 6.1 seconds to 100km/h (versus 6.3s) and a claimed 500km of driving range (versus 470km). I think Kia Australia would be wise to offer the Earth-spec with the 2WD Long Range drivetrain, which sees driving range eclipse 500km and would likely bring down the asking price by a couple grand, too. It's also worth noting the EV5's lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are supplied by Chinese giant BYD, at least for the China-sourced vehicles we get in Australia. Overseas markets like South Korea and Europe get a Korean-made EV5 which utilises nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion batteries with different capacities. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How does the Kia EV5 drive? Kia Australia has subjected the EV5 to its extensive chassis localisation program, with the suspension and steering systems both tuned specifically for Australian roads and conditions, in addition to local ADAS tuning. This has been a key Kia selling point for years, and in the case of the EV5 it's up against numerous Chinese rivals which seem to receive common complaints around ride quality that's too soft and body control that's too flaccid. My daily drive between Melbourne's eastern suburbs and the Victorian CarExpert office in Docklands includes a multitude of road surfaces, posted speed limits and of course weather conditions; and in reality these are the kinds of scenarios most EV5 owners will drive in – unlike some launch programs that take us on flat, fast highways and tight and testing B-roads in the country. My colleague Max Davies was fairly complimentary of the EV5's on-road manners and dynamics at the local launch last year, so I was keen to see if Kia's first battery-powered medium SUV felt just like an electric Sportage. I didn't come away with that feeling, sorry to say. In town, the EV5's suspension communicates the lumps and bumps of inner city roads quite clearly, but the softness of the suspension also means it can send the body up and down in the process. Where a lot of Kia's locally tuned products – like the aforementioned Sportage – are usually able to settle after an initial impact like tram tracks, the EV5 felt like it needed one or two movements before settling. Not only does it feel a little loose, it's frankly somewhat annoying that you can spent a lot of time waiting for it to calm down. I'm not sure if the Earth's larger wheels (compared to the Air) play a role here, but the Earth just never really settled on roads arounds around the Melbourne CBD like I thought it should. The steering is quite light and pretty quick to respond, which also feels a little out of whack with the suspension tune. You're also perched quite high in the cabin – it feels like you're sitting on top of the car rather than in it – which exacerbates the issue. Perhaps I'm overly critical because I'm used to Kia normally getting the ride/handling balance just about perfect. And to be fair, the EV5 is far from the worst in its class in this respect. Many rivals either are too firm or too soft – this leans towards the latter. At least the steering feels more dialled in than some of the overly light and often inaccurate electrically assisted racks found in its rivals, particularly some of the cheaper Chinese alternatives. Once I hit the freeways and better surfaced roads of the suburbs, I was much more impressed. The EV5 Earth is very comfortable and settled at highway speeds, and does a good job at keeping ambient noise at bay despite the lack of powertrain noise. It also offers plenty of performance in this spec. 230kW and 480Nm is plenty for this class of car, and the immediacy of response from the dual-motor electric drivetrain makes quick overtakes a cinch. It's certainly peppier than any Sportage I've driven. Being all-wheel drive, you also won't light up the front tyres and test the traction control's friendship when you accelerate too hard off the line, which you can very easily do in FWD versions of the EV5. That said, the dual-motor version could be more efficient. After 760km we saw energy consumption of 22.3kWh/100km on the trip computer, which was admittedly skewed by the fact Paul Maric spent a lot of time driving it on the freeway between Geelong and Lang Lang – I regularly saw 17-19kWh/100km during my daily commute in mixed conditions. Still, when something like a Model Y can easily consume 13-14kWh/100km, it's like comparing a RAV4 Hybrid to a turbocharged Mazda CX-5 in terms of relative efficiency. At least the assistance systems work pretty well, which is another area where a lot of Chinese rivals fall flat. Kia's semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2 uses navigation data in concert with the adaptive cruise and lane-keeping systems to take the load off freeway stints, keeping the vehicle at a set speed and distance from the vehicle ahead and in the centre of its lane. It works well and doesn't have the tendency to slam on the brakes when someone cuts you off. At times the lane centring assist (or Lane Follow Assist) can be a touch overbearing, but it's very easily switched off via a button on the steering wheel. Hyundai and Kia's audible speed warnings can get a little annoying too, though in the EV5 they're not as loud as they once were, and can be easily switched off by holding down the mute button. Annoyingly, the Earth grade misses out on surround cameras and Kia's funky Blind Spot View Monitor features, which are reserved for the flagship GT-Line – boo. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool What do you get? The Earth sits between the entry-level Air and the flagship GT-Line grades in the EV5 lineup. 2025 Kia EV5 Air equipment highlights: 18-inch alloy wheels 225/60 R18 tyres Tyre mobility kit Tyre pressure monitoring LED headlights – reflector type Automatic high-beam LED daytime running lights LED tail-lights Matte plastic roof racks Satin Silver window surrounds Acoustic windscreen Solar glass – windscreen, front door Solar glass – rear windows, tailgate Auto up/down windows – front Cloth, artificial leather trim 8-way power driver's seat incl. 4-way lumbar 4-way manual front passenger seat 3-cell massage function – driver 2nd row centre armrest Shift by Wire – column type Paddle shifters – brake regen control 2 x USB-C charge ports – front 2 x USB-C charge ports – rear LED interior lighting Integrated Panoramic Display Kia Connect Over the air (OTA) updates Satellite navigation incl. 10 years traffic info, updates Wireless Apple CarPlay Wireless Android Auto 6-speaker sound system AM/FM/DAB radio Dual-zone climate control Heated front seats 2nd row air vents – door pillar-mounted i-Pedal one-pedal driving function V2L interior socket EV5 Earth adds: 19-inch alloys 235/55 tyres Gloss black exterior accents Gloss black roof racks Gloss black window surrounds Powered child-proof rear door locks Artificial leather trim – Smoky Black or Nougat Beige Smart power tailgate Privacy glass – rear windows, tailgate V2L exterior socket EV5 GT-Line adds: Active Sound Design 20-inch alloy wheels 255/45 tyres Gloss black exterior mirrors Auto flush door-handles LED dynamic indicators Laminated glass – driver window GT-Line two-tone leatherette upholstery 4-way power front passenger seat incl. 4-way lumbar Premium Relaxation Seat – driver Driver seat memory function 6-cell massage function – driver 3-cell massage function – passenger Sports steering wheel Fingerprint authentication module Alloy sports pedals Auto up/down windows – front, rear Rear seatback table – passenger side Ambient mood lighting – 64 colours Wireless phone charger Heated, cooled rear sliding storage tray 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system Augmented reality head-up display Heated second row outer seats Ventilated front seats To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool Is the Kia EV5 safe? The Kia EV5 has a five-star ANCAP safety rating based on local testing conducted against 2024 criteria. This rating covers all variants sold in Australia and New Zealand. Standard safety kit includes: 7 airbags incl. front-centre Autonomous emergency braking Blind-spot assist Driver attention monitoring Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) Lane Following Assist (lane centring) Lane-keep assist Lead Vehicle Departure Alert Rear cross-traffic assist Rear occupant alert Reversing camera incl. dynamic guidelines Safe exit warning EV5 GT-Line adds: Blind Spot View Monitor Parking Collision Avoidance Assist – reverse, side, forward Surround cameras incl. 3D mode To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool How much does the Kia EV5 cost to run? The EV5 is covered by the same seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty as the wider Kia range. However, the high-voltage EV battery and related componentry is warranted for 150,000km. To see how the Kia EV5 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool CarExpert's Take on the Kia EV5 The EV5 has quickly become a popular choice in the Australian EV space, and it's pretty easy to see why. Distinctive looks, a spacious interior, a well-known badge on the nose and a good suite of on-board tech make the EV5 a familiar experience for any existing Hyundai or Kia owner looking to move to zero tailpipe emissions transport. While the driving experience could be better, especially given the Korean brand's recent form, it's far from off the pace in this segment and there are many some strong points like effortless power, decent range and a well-tuned driver assistance suite. The Earth specification should, in theory, be the pick of the EV5 bunch, but Kia has made it quite expensive while also withholding key features like surround cameras, Blind Spot View Monitor, a wireless phone charger and the ventilated front seats from the flagship GT-Line – which is a whole $7000 pricier. At nearly $70,000 on the road, I think the Earth variant should be cheaper and some of those features should be standard, or at least available as an option pack. I'm also of the mindset that most EVs, and especially electric SUVs, don't need high-output dual-motor drivetrains. Yes, you get the peace of mind that AWD traction offers in wet conditions, but for the most part you're just sapping range and adding weight. I think the Earth spec with a single-motor drivetrain for around $65,000 drive-away would make a lot of sense for many more buyers. While the EV5 Earth is good for what it is, I'd suggest the best EV5 is the cheapest one. But if money is no object and you want everything this solid nameplate has to offer, the GT-Line range-topper is where it's at. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new Kia EV5. Click here to get a great deal. Pros Practical, spacious cabin Familiar feel to layout and tech Achievable claimed driving range Cons Wobbly urban ride Annoying equipment omissions Energy efficiency could be better Top Line Specs Power: 230kW Fuel Type: Electric Economy: 0.0L/100km CO2 Emissions: 0g/km
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- Perth Now
Wall St mixed, chip majors in focus after China deal
Wall Street's main indexes are mixed as investors prepare for a busy week and chip companies teeter after agreeing to share a portion of revenue from China sales with the US under a trade policy shift from the Trump administration. Semiconductor giant Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices wobbled in early trading and were last marginally higher after a US official told Reuters the companies had agreed to give the United States government 15 per cent of revenue from sales of their advanced computer chips to China. Enabling semiconductor sales to China was an integral issue in the agreement Washington and Beijing signed earlier this year - which expires on Tuesday - and markets will keenly watch how the latest development impacts the relationship between the world's two largest economies. "It's a good way for the United States government to increase its cash and income... but a lot of people are going to argue that this is the wrong way to go," said Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth. "The Chinese government will probably use it as a point to argue that they need different chips because these particular chips might be susceptible to be reviewed by the Americans." Markets also sought clarity on the sector tariffs that US President Donald Trump had announced. In early trading on Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 63.86 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 44,109.53, the S&P 500 gained 0.84 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 6,390.29, and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.42 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 21,451.44. Seven of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors slipped, while healthcare gained 0.6 per cent, recovering some of the 5.0 per cent declines it had logged so far this year. Traders took a step back after last week's rally helped the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq log their strongest weekly performance in more than a month. Investors expect that the recent shake-up at the US Federal Reserve and signs of labour market weakness could nudge the central bank into adopting a dovish monetary policy stance later this year, fuelling much of the optimism. July's consumer inflation report is due on Tuesday and investors anticipate the Fed will lower borrowing costs by about 60 basis points by December, according to data compiled by LSEG. A better-than-feared earnings season brought some relief, with BofA's monthly fund manager survey showing that buying megacap stocks was again the most popular trade. Citigroup and UBS Global Research became the latest brokerages to raise their year-end targets for the benchmark S&P 500. In earnings, Micron raised its forecast for fourth-quarter revenue and adjusted profit, sending its shares up 3.4 per cent. The broader chips index added 1.0 per cent. Intel was up 4.9 per cent after a report said CEO Lip-Bu Tan was expected to visit the White House. Trump had called for his removal last week. Trump is expected to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Friday to try and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.42-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.33-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 11 new 52-week highs and nine new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 48 new highs and 41 new lows.
West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Wall St mixed, chip majors in focus after China deal
Wall Street's main indexes are mixed as investors prepare for a busy week and chip companies teeter after agreeing to share a portion of revenue from China sales with the US under a trade policy shift from the Trump administration. Semiconductor giant Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices wobbled in early trading and were last marginally higher after a US official told Reuters the companies had agreed to give the United States government 15 per cent of revenue from sales of their advanced computer chips to China. Enabling semiconductor sales to China was an integral issue in the agreement Washington and Beijing signed earlier this year - which expires on Tuesday - and markets will keenly watch how the latest development impacts the relationship between the world's two largest economies. "It's a good way for the United States government to increase its cash and income... but a lot of people are going to argue that this is the wrong way to go," said Robert Pavlik, senior portfolio manager at Dakota Wealth. "The Chinese government will probably use it as a point to argue that they need different chips because these particular chips might be susceptible to be reviewed by the Americans." Markets also sought clarity on the sector tariffs that US President Donald Trump had announced. In early trading on Monday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 63.86 points, or 0.14 per cent, to 44,109.53, the S&P 500 gained 0.84 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 6,390.29, and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.42 points, or 0.01 per cent, to 21,451.44. Seven of the 11 major S&P 500 sectors slipped, while healthcare gained 0.6 per cent, recovering some of the 5.0 per cent declines it had logged so far this year. Traders took a step back after last week's rally helped the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq log their strongest weekly performance in more than a month. Investors expect that the recent shake-up at the US Federal Reserve and signs of labour market weakness could nudge the central bank into adopting a dovish monetary policy stance later this year, fuelling much of the optimism. July's consumer inflation report is due on Tuesday and investors anticipate the Fed will lower borrowing costs by about 60 basis points by December, according to data compiled by LSEG. A better-than-feared earnings season brought some relief, with BofA's monthly fund manager survey showing that buying megacap stocks was again the most popular trade. Citigroup and UBS Global Research became the latest brokerages to raise their year-end targets for the benchmark S&P 500. In earnings, Micron raised its forecast for fourth-quarter revenue and adjusted profit, sending its shares up 3.4 per cent. The broader chips index added 1.0 per cent. Intel was up 4.9 per cent after a report said CEO Lip-Bu Tan was expected to visit the White House. Trump had called for his removal last week. Trump is expected to meet Russia's President Vladimir Putin on Friday to try and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. Advancing issues outnumbered decliners by a 1.42-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.33-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 11 new 52-week highs and nine new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 48 new highs and 41 new lows.
