Kia's 'EV5' significantly outperformed Tesla's 'Model Y' in an electric SUV evaluation by a German automotive specialist publication. Interest is high as to how these evaluation results, which compare the Model Y—the best-selling vehicle in South Korea among both domestic and imported cars last month—will impact sales domestically and abroad.
On the 18th, Kia announced that in a comparative evaluation of electric SUVs by 'Auto Motor und Sport', the EV5 secured first place overall, surpassing Tesla's Model Y (2nd), China's Xpeng 'G6' (3rd), and MG's 'S6 EV' (4th). 'Auto Motor und Sport' is an automotive specialist publication trusted by European consumers, and its evaluation results are used as a key criterion when purchasing vehicles.
This evaluation analyzed four models (EV5, Model Y, G6, S6 EV) across seven categories: body, safety, convenience, powertrain, driving performance, environmental friendliness, and economic efficiency. First, in the body category, the EV5 scored 100 points, leading the Model Y, which scored only 76 points, by a margin of 24 points. 'Auto Motor und Sport' stated, "The EV5 offers the distinctive open feeling of an SUV with its high seating position and long hood," and added that it features "spacious and comfortable seats along with ample second-row and cargo space."
The score difference between the two models was largest in the safety category. The EV5 recorded 89 points, leading the Model Y, which scored 60 points, by a margin of 29 points. The EV5 achieved the best overall test record with braking distances from 100 km/h to a stop of 35.1 meters (cold brakes) and 35.0 meters (hot brakes). In contrast, the Model Y recorded 39.3 meters and 38.2 meters respectively, showing the longest braking distances and receiving relatively low scores in the safety category.
In the convenience category, the EV5 (66 points) also led the Model Y (55 points) by a margin of 11 points. The publication evaluated that "the EV5 offers the best operational convenience as drivers can directly control regenerative braking intensity and one-pedal driving functions via steering wheel paddles." In the driving performance category, the EV5 received 69 points while the Model Y received 60 points. However, in the powertrain category, the Model Y scored 86 points, surpassing the EV5's 80 points.
In the overall 'characteristic evaluation' combining these five categories (body, safety, convenience, powertrain, driving performance), the EV5 recorded a total of 404 points, leading the Model Y, which scored 337 points, by a margin of 67 points. Although the Model Y received higher scores than the EV5 in environmental friendliness and economic efficiency, the significant difference in the characteristic evaluation meant that when all scores were summed for the overall evaluation, the EV5 ranked first with 588 points, while the Model Y ranked second with 557 points.
Interest remains high as to how this evaluation will impact the popularity of the Model Y, which has become the 'best-selling vehicle' in South Korea. Tesla has consistently increased vehicle sales in South Korea centered on the Model Y, maintaining the number one position among imported car brands for six consecutive months from February to July.
A Kia official stated, "In this test where it was a key point of interest whether the Model Y, with its lowered entry price, could maintain competitiveness against competing electric SUVs in South Korea and China, the EV5 drew attention by overwhelmingly dominating the Model Y head-on."
in INDUSTRY
