Behind the wheel of Kia’s electric mid-size SUV, the EV5. The first Kia to be built
in China with the battery interestingly supplied by electric car giant BYD. There’s
three trim grades Air, Earth and GT-line, I’m driving the mid-grade EV5 Earth at
$68,990 drive-away, a 230kW dual electric motor all-wheel-drive with a long range
88.1kWh battery and a quoted range of 500km. The drive experience proved
rewarding, my consumption around town running at 18.6 kWh/100km providing a
range of 473km – charge time on my 11kW home charger from 10 to 100 percent
just over 8 hours or overnight. I must admit the Kia EV5 Earth SUV grew on me
the more I drove it – the styling subjective, but I personally got to like it over time,
the interior a highpoint, great seats, the test cars Nougat Beige interior colours
appealing in a dashboard design that is intuitive and different. Biggest gripe, the
overly active and intrusive lane keep assist, speed limit recognition and drive
attention warnings and I’m surprised Kia Australia has not addressed this annoyance. Overall, though, all things considered the EV5 Earth all-wheel drive is
a very rewarding electric SUV.

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Driving Kia’s electric mid-sized EV5 SUV – similar in size to Kia’s petrol
Sportage, although boxier and the first Kia to be made in China for this market.
Three trim grades Air, Earth, and GT- Line – I’m driving the mid-grade EV5 Earth
at $68,990 drive-away, a dual motor all-wheel drive with a long-range 88.1kWh
battery providing a quoted 500km range. Features include synthetic leather seats,
dual 12.3-inch interior screens,19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, a power
tailgate, dual zone climate control and a five-inch climate control display which
frustratingly is partly hidden by the rim of the steering wheel. The interior roomy,
very accommodating in both seat rows with excellent cargo space but
disappointingly there’s no wireless phone charging or 360-degree camera. For a
family vehicle it also lacks a front console storage box but for rear passengers
provides a pull-out storage draw under. I must admit my first visual impression of
the Kia EV5 was not great, but it grew on me in time as did the drive experience
with four drive modes while the charging process on my 11kW home charger was
effortless and relatively fast. Warranty seven years/unlimited km with battery
warranty seven years/150,000km, less than some rivals. Drive details next.

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The car market this year has been somewhat unpredictable with a number
of factors affecting various segments. What surprised last month was a
resurgence in sales of the trusty Ford Mustang – a significant delay in the
arrival of the latest S650 model saw pent up demand take the two-door
Mustang to its best sales month in almost seven years. Who said the trusty
V8 was dead in the water. 720 Mustangs were sold in May taking the year’s
tally to 2489, more than it sold for the entire year in 2024. Interestingly, the
volume selling GT Fastback V8 automatic at $86,990 now far more
expensive than it was seven years ago – in mid-1918 it was $21,000 more
affordable at $65,990. The Ford Mustang was Australia’s top-selling sports
car from 2016 to 2022, with more than 33,000 deliveries over that time.

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Renault’s Koleos SUV has been around in much the same guise since 2016
but holds the distinction of being the biggest selling Renault since that
time – a good all-rounder and selling well in recent times. A new entry
Evolution grade has just been added at $34,990 plus on-road costs
undercutting the previous entry Zen model which sold last year at $42,500.
The new pricing pits the highly regarded Koleos against newer Chinese
SUV rivals, also undercutting the likes of Honda’s CR-V, Mazda’s CX-5,
Hyundai’s Tucson and Kia’s Sportage. The new Koleos Evolution is
powered by a 2.5-litre turbo petrol engine driving the front wheels through
a CVT transmission. Features include leather trim, dual zone climate
control, LED headlights, heated front seats and a seven year/unlimited
kilometre warranty.

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BMW updated their entry model hatchback last December – now simply
called the 118 this small five door hatch has a lot of presence in a facelifted
body that’s slightly longer and taller. Now $56,500 plus on-road costs but
with more equipment and more tech savvy – slightly longer and taller, still
powered by a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder driving through a seven-speed
dual clutch automatic. This latest entry model BMW has a nice feel about,
the interior especially well sorted with supportive seats, and a well-
constructed dash layout with connected digital and infotainment screens.
But with BMW’s latest iDrive 9 operating system which can become tedious
to use but is very comprehensive. The drive rather sporty in the BMW
tradition with good driving dynamics, beautiful steering, brakes and slick
gear changes with the worst feature being ride quality. I’m not sure
everybody who would buy a BMW 118 would need such a sport skewed
ride but it is far too harsh and spoils an otherwise quality drive. Passive
and active safety systems most comprehensive, a 360-degree camera a
great driving aid while the adaptive cruise control is very polished in
operation. There’s a lot to like in the BMW 118 but ride quality a
disappointment.

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Driving BMW’s new entry model – the 118 hatchback which arrived last
December at $56,500 plus on-road costs. The small German five-door hatch
restyled and powered by a familiar 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine with
a small lift in power and torque driving the front wheels through a seven-
speed dual clutch transmission. Also included a sports mode with manual
shift paddles. This latest BMW 118 is 41mm longer and 25mm taller, other
dimensions remain unchanged. Internally it has slightly better rear legroom
however like most small BMW’s it’s still on the tight side. The cabin has a
premium feel with well-structured seats while the overall impression is one
of sportiness in the BMW tradition, accentuated by nice finishes and a
modern dash layout. Good instrumentation with a welcome head up display
over, although the 10.7-inch touchscreen with so many options can be
tedious to use. While the air vents below are mounted low and look like an
afterthought. BMW claim to have added significant features to the 118 – the
driver-assist systems also most comprehensive, there’s wireless phone
charging and two USB ports in each row, comprehensive 360-degree
camera views, front and rear parking sensors, parking assist and a
welcome reversing assistant. Warranty five-years/unlimited km. 

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Porsche is the latest company to cancel plans to take much of its line-up
electric by the end of the decade. At a recent Annual General Meeting with
investors the German sports car maker said, “it would be a significantly
longer transition phase globally, on the journey to electric mobility.” The
slower than expected transition putting pressure on the company’s bottom
line. According to Porsche CEO, Dr. Oliver Blume, “the world has changed
– we are experiencing a fierce storm, in challenging times we are
continuing to develop Porsche with a precise focus.” Previously
announcing that most of its models would join its Macan SUV with electric
powertrains Porsche is now making major changes. But the change of plan
will come at a cost, the company confirming it will cut around 3,900 jobs by
2029 in order to save money in the long term.

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While the Chinese car industry has enjoyed significant growth GWM’s
Chairman Wei Jianjun has warned the industry is in an unhealthy state due
to incessant price cuts. In an interview with Chinese publication Sina
Finance the GWM Chairman suggested if it continues like this the Chinese
auto industry will be seriously threatened. Not specifically referring to any
Chinese car maker he warned the excessive and prolonged price war
between rival Chinese brands, especially those selling electric vehicles,
risks cutting corners on safety and reliability. Discounts have ranged up
from Aud.$22,000. Following Mr. Wei comments shares in BYD, Leapmotor,
Nio, and Geely fell by up to 9.5 percent. BYD recently announced subsidies
and incentives in China – the entry Seagull EV Hatch reduced by
Aud.$12,000 while Geely followed suit with similar incentives for its
Chinese buyers. 

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Driving Subaru’s Outback Sport Touring XT AWD – a special edition high
riding wagon that sits at the top of the Outback range at $57,490 plus on-
road costs. Distinguished with special Geyser Blue exterior paint and black
18-inch alloy wheels, also highly equipped. Power source the traditional
2.5-litre horizontally opposed four-cylinder turbocharged driving all four
wheels through a continuously variable automatic. As has always been the
case with this mainstay Subaru, the drive experience most reassuring. It’s
not an SUV but a high riding wagon with a go-anywhere ability and it just
gets better year on year. Yes, it’s been around for a while in its current
guise and varied little over the years – just more refined and better
equipped, a firm family favourite, practical with good rear seat room and
load space and importantly a five-star ANCAP safety rating. The
turbocharged engine perhaps showing its age a little in that it uses more
petrol, and it does require higher grand 95 octane petrol – I achieved
11.1L/100 with mainly urban driving - but it is a permanent all-wheel drive
and the tractability in the recent rain was confidence inspiring. It does have
a full-size spare, peace of mind for those that venture off road. Warranty
five-years/unlimited km.

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Subaru’s Outback has been a firm family favourite for over 25 years. I’m
driving the Outback Sport Touring XT, a special edition turbocharged
model that sits at the top of the Outback’s model range priced at $57,490
plus on-road costs. The Outback best described as a high-riding wagon
and the Sport Touring XT identifies with dark 18-inch alloy wheels and
special Geyser Blue exterior paint. Inside, premium features such as Nappa
leather seat inserts, power front seats, heated and ventilated seats, nine
speaker Harman Kardon sound and a power sunroof and tailgate. The 2.5-
litre horizontally opposed turbo four-cylinder features 350Nm of torque and
links to a continuously variable automatic transmission. A very well sorted
interior with large central touchscreen and nice instrumentation but a lack
of buttons for aircon a disappointment. Both seat rows offer good room
and are well equipped with USB ports and aircon outlets. The Subaru
Outback has varied little over the years – and why should it - it’s a practical
design that gets customers coming back for more – its gained more
equipment over the years and more features and more refinement – a
practical family wagon with a go anywhere ability – the Sport Touring XT
special edition offering that little bit more. 

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