2026 Kia EV2 Reviews

You'll find all our 2026 Kia EV2 reviews right here.

Our reviews offer detailed analysis of the 's features, design, practicality, fuel consumption, engine and transmission, safety, ownership and what it's like to drive.

The most recent reviews sit up the top of the page, but if you're looking for an older model year or shopping for a used car, scroll down to find Kia EV2 dating back as far as 2026.

Kia Reviews and News

Are 4WDs too clever to have fun?
By Marcus Craft · 12 Jul 2026
Modern-day off-roaders are impressive, no doubt about that: they’re generally quite comfortable on-road and often quite capable off-road.But are they so good at doing 4WD things that they effectively rob any off-roading challenge of, well, the challenge part? Are they such a great blend of driver-assist tech and 4WD mechanicals that the driver is merely along for the ride?Read on.Off-roading in a contemporary off-roader (AWD or 4WD) can be such smooth sailing that you’d be forgiven for thinking “What’s all the fuss about?”Driver-assist tech with direct off-road applications – such as the 360-degree camera or vehicle-info read-out (displaying driveline/diff lock indicators, steering, pitch and roll angles etc) – is taking on ever more significant roles as it all improves.But invasive technology, finely-tuned off-road traction control and even overbearing drive modes can turn what might have been a technically difficult section of 4WDing into almost a point-and-enjoy-the-ride kind of driving experience because new off-roaders are simply that good.Don’t get me wrong, driver-assist tech is great, especially when it works as it should: being consistently effective when it really counts.Off-road traction control, hill-descent control, track cameras, transparent bonnet functions and more are welcome additions to any off-road vehicle.The Kia Tasman is a good example of a 4WD with an off-road traction control system that is so smoothly well calibrated the driver is nigh-on redundant.But if a vehicle’s off-road traction control system is patchy in its application, safe controlled momentum from a reliable base of traction is difficult to accomplish or sustain – and that can be annoying at best and dangerous at worst.The flip-side of that issue is that if the off-road traction control system is so finely tuned the only danger may be that the driver is rendered near-obsolete. The onboard tech does all the thinking for the driver, as well as adjusting engine output, transmission settings and traction control to best suit the terrain. So if you’re the driver you have an existential crisis on your hands in the form of “Why am I even here?”The same goes for hill-descent control; if you’re not in charge of modulating the vehicle’s speed and direction down a hill then shouldn’t you be in a passenger seat enjoying the view?Can you even call yourself a 4WDer if your vehicle does all the work for you?And what if your off-road vehicle has its own eyes watching the track ahead?A track camera (aka 360-degree view camera, or surround-view camera) has the potential to greatly enhance driver vision while you’re 4WDing on bush tracks, cresting steep hills, or traversing sand dunes on beach adventures.What started as more of a novelty for me, the track camera has taken on an increasingly important role. Sure, I still prefer to get out of the vehicle and check the track ahead myself or get a human spotter to do the work for me, but the view afforded by a track camera / 360-degree view camera will usually help the driver to maintain vision, especially if forward visibility is compromised, say for instance up and over the crest of a steep rocky hill, or if your vehicle is edging towards a steep rocky drop into a creek bed and you can’t discern your driving line.Helpful, but still robbing the 4WDer of another bit of responsibility, purpose and challenge.The same can be said for the transparent bonnet function. Can’t figure out what that is even though the tech’s function is literally in its name? (Literally.)Let me explain.This driver-assist tech is designed to help the driver see the correct driving line to take through challenging terrain or over an obstacle without being able to see with their naked eyes what’s under them.Being able to see the track in front of your vehicle is a definite advantage and visibility in some off-roaders is impacted due to the forward-view-restricting design of the cabin or the size of the vehicle’s bonnet, but the transparent chassis function is designed to address that issue.As with onboard cameras, I still prefer to stick my head out the window and have a look at the track, or actually stop the vehicle, get out and have a decent look at the track ahead before I proceed.If your off-road vehicle is working the gears for you, adjusting the speed for you and even looking for you, then how dare you have the audacity to sit in the driver’s seat.The problem with all of this tech – beyond its annoying over-effectiveness – lay in the fact that it’s all more difficult to address failures or damage in the great outdoors than it is to bush-repair an older traditional 4WD.Modern 4WDs are a mass of electronics, sensors, wiring, motherboards etc and those components may be vulnerable to damage, especially in harsh Australian conditions.And the efficacy of driver-assist tech may be impacted by the ingress of bulldust, mud or water. If onboard sensors are compromised or damaged in some way, then you’re at the mercy of nature.Imagine this: You and your family are on a weekend trip away in the bush and you’re currently 80km from the nearest town. You drive through an innocuous-looking creek crossing – the water seems to be about shin-deep. However, some of that muddy water splashes onto one of the vehicle’s onboard sensors and your 4WD automatically goes into the equivalent of ‘limp home’ mode.Bloody uh-oh.Old-school 4WDs can be more easily fixed in remote areas as opposed to trying to get a new vehicle running again which may require someone in your touring group to have a computer engineering degree or have a team of specialists choppered in from Germany.And that’s why old-school 4WDs – or even new old-school 4WDs (like the Suzuki Jimny or Jeep Wrangler) – continue to enjoy such enduring popularity and still fetch sky-high prices on the second-hand market.A real purpose-built 4WD with a full ladder-frame chassis, rigid (live) axles front and rear, and diff locks has always been admired by those in the know; basic and solidly reliable powertrain and mechanical components are the way to go.Any serious 4WDer has a soft spot for something like a Toyota LandCruisers (70, 80,100 Series, anyone?), Nissan Patrol, Land Rover Defender (the old ladder frame kind), Mitsubishi Pajero, even Jeep Gladiator. The old way of doing things is even sought after by some newer examples on the market like the Ineos Grenadier, Jimny and Wrangler.Resolving issues on those old-school 4WDs can be completed with a little bit of common sense, some ingenuity and a bit of hard work. A stack of spares, duct tape, cable ties and some welding skills will help you get a whole lot further than nothing at all and you’ll likely be able to patch up your 4WD, continue your trip and reach civilisation or at least the nearest town.The good news is no matter how clever your off-roader’s software, cameras and sensors are, it’ll still need you to press the ‘Start’ button.Or will it?
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Kia's hit electric SUV gets huge update
By Tim Gibson · 10 Jul 2026
This popular small electric SUV is about to get a huge update in Australia.Kia has announced its strong-selling EV3 will be available with all-wheel drive (AWD) from September.The GT-Line AWD will sit at the top of the EV3 range, starting from $66,490, before on-road costs.This is roughly $3500 more than the front-wheel drive (FWD) GT-Line (from $63,950), and almost $20,000 more than the base model.An AWD set-up gives the EV3 the edge over its sister car, the Hyundai Kona Electric that remains FWD-only, with its premium variant priced from $60,000.AWD is rare in small electric SUVs, with the new Subaru Uncharted one of few notable examples and wears a $59,990 price tag.Many of the EV3’s budget competitors such as the BYD Atto 3 (from $39,990) and Geely EX5 (from $41,990) are also FWD-only.Driving range on electric AWD cars tends to be less than FWD models because they require more power and are heavier, but not the EV3.The EV3 AWD gets the same 81kWh battery as other EV3s, which delivers a driving range of 559km, according to WLTP standards. This is only 4km less than the front-wheel drive GT-Line.Power comes from a dual-electric motor system producing 195kW and 385Nm, which is a decent step up on the single motor 150kW/283Nm set-up in other variants. It completes the benchmark 0-100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds. The car gets other upgrades, including larger brakes and suspension and steering tuned for Australian conditions.There is a single screen on the inside consisting of a 12.3-inch driver display and 12.3 multimedia screen. It also features a head-up display.It gets a premium eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, with heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. There is a wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.The EV3 is Kia’s second-best selling EV behind the EV5 currently, and was one of the brand’s best-selling models in June.It was awarded the Best Small Car Starting Under $50,000 at the 2026 CarsGuide Car of the Year awards.2027 Kia EV3 GT pricing  
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Australia's favourite cars revealed
By Dom Tripolone · 03 Jul 2026
The winds of change are blowing a gale through the Australian car industry, as new brands and vehicles whizz past old favourites on the sales charts.Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries boss Tony Weber said the June result was a paradigm shift for the new vehicle market. “The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry,” said Weber.BYD is officially a category five storm blowing in the direction of Toyota, Ford, Mazda and others that have dominated the top five selling brands for the past decade.BYD sold 18,881 new cars in June, all of them either electric or plug-in hybrids. This brought its three month total to 34,794 after its much ballyhooed effort to send its own ships packed to the gills with cars to Australia.Toyota had battened down the hatches in June and fortified itself against the fierce onslaught of BYD. It managed 19,124 sales in the past month to hold on to first place.It is understood that Toyota has increased supply going forward and is planning a monster second half of the year.Ford bounced back to third place with 9181 sales. Tesla came roaring up behind the Blue Oval with 8670 sales in June, which is impressive considering it only sells two vehicles.The Tesla Model Y was the best selling vehicle in the country with 8072 examples finding a home in the past month.Stablemates Kia (8005) and Hyundai (7480) held firm in fifth and sixth spots, while Mazda slid down to seventh (7278).Chinese brands finished out the top 10 with GWM (6104), MG (5001) and Chery (4505) muscling out old favourites Mitsubishi (4150), Subaru (2902) and Nissan (2337).A few other Chinese brands are lurking outside the top 10, with Geely 13th with 3507 sales and Chery’s Omoda Jaecoo sub brand 15th after moving 2541 units.Utes still delivered strong results, which is typical for the End of Financial Year period.The Toyota HiLux was the Japanese brand’s best selling model with 5175 sales, and Ford’s Ranger was the second best selling model overall with 5999 sales. BYD’s plug-in hybrid Sark 6 ute was its second best selling model, with 3398 sales.Top 10 selling car brands, June 2026 Top 10 selling vehicles, June 2026  
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Kia EV3 2026 review: GT-Line long-term | Part 3
By Tim Nicholson · 26 Jun 2026
A little over three months has come and gone and I’m parting ways with the Kia EV3 GT-Line.The little electric SUV was awarded Best Small Car Starting Under $50,000 at CarsGuide’s 2026 Car of the Year awards in February. But living with a car really reveals its strengths and weaknesses. Is the EV3 still deserving of the title?There are a lot of items in the positive column for the EV3, but it’s not without its flaws.I’ve covered a lot of this in my first two review instalments with the first one looking at how it stacks up for value-for-money, especially compared to its rivals, and what the aftersales experience is like.Part two focused on how practical the EV3 is, as well as looking at efficiency.In this final instalment I deep dive into the drive experience and give my final verdict.Let’s get to it!Kia’s current model line-up is pretty solid. I’m yet to drive a modern Kia that’s not great behind the wheel. From the K4 and Sportage through to the Sorento and even the Tasman ute, Kia knows how to build a driver’s car.That’s helped by the fact Kia continues to develop local ride, handling and steering tunes through a dedicated localisation program led by renowned specialist, Graeme Gambold.The purpose of this is to improve the global tune of a model to ensure it performs well on Australian roads.Thankfully the EV3 doesn’t deviate from this proven formula. While many EVs can feel like generic whitegoods on wheels, the EV3 engages the driver. It’s not a performance car, but it’s engineered to add some joy to the small electric SUV set.It is an SUV so you do get some level of ride height in the EV3, and the amount of seat and steering wheel adjustment means you should easily find your perfect driving position. Visibility is mostly good, too.One thing the EV3 does well is accelerate. So many EVs have an unnecessary amount of power and torque and when paired with cheap tyres, it results in chirping tyres and an unpleasant experience.But with 150kW and 283Nm from the permanent magnet synchronous motor, the EV3 GT-Line delivers smooth, linear acceleration. It’s not jerky, just pleasant, and will dash from 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds, which is more than fine.Do note though the tyres can spin when accelerating too enthusiastically in wet conditions.Steering has a light feel but it is sharp and engaging. With a 10.4-metre turning circle, the 4.3-metre long EV3 GT-Line is also a dream to park. You can easily navigate tight urban streets and small parking spaces. The only letdown on that front is the fact that there’s no front parking camera or a surround camera view. This is a surprise, especially for the flagship grade.The EV3 doesn’t feel top-heavy in corners so there’s minimal body roll. That can make driving on a dynamically challenging road more fun than you might think. Again, it’s no hot hatch, but there’s enough there to keep you interested.The ride is compliant and the EV3 handles crappy Australian roads pretty well. There’s that local tune shining again. It’s hard to escape the impact of harsher bumps, but day to day it’s hard to fault.However, on undulating patches of country roads at speed, the EV3 bounces a little. That’s when you feel the two-tonne weight of this car. This sensation is not unusual for an EV with the battery pack under the floor. But, carmakers are getting better at addressing this so it is something for Kia to work on.In the three-and-a-bit months I have lived with the EV3, I have done multiple country road trips and with the exception of a few things like the aforementioned bounciness, it’s proven to be an excellent highway, freeway and backroad cruiser. It has surprised me how at home it feels on a road trip.It’s, unsurprisingly, a deeply competent city car as well. Not just on the road, but the overall interior packaging I detailed in part two, as well.The Kia EV3 was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP rating in 2025. It scored pretty well across all four crash categories, including 83 per cent for Adult Occupant Protection, 86 per cent for Child Occupant Protection, 78 per cent for Vulnerable Road User Protection and 81 per cent for Safety Assist which covers advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).I detailed the standard safety equipment in part one of the review series and it’s packed with gear, although the lack of front camera or spare tyre let it down a little.On the road, the lane keeping aid is okay - not perfect, not terrible. It does tug at the wheel a little too much to keep you in the lane, and it tends to drift to the left more often than not. But it’s the other driver aids that leave a bad taste.The overly sensitive overspeed warning is infuriating. If left on, it beeps loudly as soon as you’re 1.0km over the limit and doesn’t shut up. Thankfully you can turn the overspeed warning off by holding the steering wheel volume button for a few seconds.In ridiculous news, the driver attention and distraction monitor is distracting. It beeps even when you’re not remotely distracted. For example, when checking your blind spot or looking left at an intersection. It has even activated when I've been staring straight ahead and not at all tired.To turn this off, you have to create a shortcut via the ‘favourite’ icon on the wheel to ADAS in the Settings menu, select Driver Attention and turn two toggles off. I also turned the overspeed warning off while I was in this menu as it made more sense.The problem is, I had to do this every single time I drove this car. If a safety feature is distracting, is it safe? No, it’s not.I appreciate Kia is far from alone and there are plenty of brands that have awful calibrations of these systems. Sister brands Hyundai and Genesis use the same systems and deserve a dressing down, too. But Kia was once a leader in this technology and now it’s worse than many new Chinese brands on this front.Most European carmakers and some Japanese brands have managed to develop this tech so it doesn’t annoy the driver. It can be done. Kia, please look into this.I didn’t drive as much in the final month as I did in previous months, but I ended up with an average energy efficiency figure of 16.6kWh/km. That’s a little more than Kia’s official claim of 16kWh, but not by much. Over the three months, it’s stuck pretty closely to the claim and there’s no reason to doubt these figures.According to our calculations, this month’s real-world driving range was 470km, factoring in useable capacity and efficiency.Each time I charged at home using our 7.0kW wallbox the screen would show a figure in the high 500s, which is ideal for city driving and the odd road trip. Acquired: February 2026Distance travelled this month: 355kmOdometer: 7286kmAverage energy consumption this month: 16.6kWh/100km
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Kia primes new Mazda CX-5 fighter
By Dom Tripolone · 23 Jun 2026
Kia’s hybrid revolution is picking up pace.The South Korean giant is preparing its new Sportage mid-size family SUV for 2027, and it is likely to follow in the footsteps of the smaller Seltos.Kia’s new Seltos, which is due in Australia later this year, will only use hybrid power as it prepares to wean itself off petrol.The new Sportage is expected to follow suit and go hybrid only. It is expected to come as a conventional self-charging hybrid and as a plug-in hybrid.Now the new Sportage has been spotted testing wearing heavy camouflage in Korea by YouTube channel Healer TV, which puts it on track to enter production late next year.Digital artist AutoYa on YouTube has given a glimpse of what the next-gen Sportage could look like.It borrows heavily from the new Seltos, with its flush door handles, floating roofline and new rear taillight design. Its headlights are borrowed the bigger Telluride, but there is a strong chance it will grab the 'star map lighting' from the Seltos instead.It is also expected to grow in all directions, just like the Seltos, and because new-generation cars seldom get smaller.There aren’t any official details yet, but we can look at the incoming new Hyundai Tucson that shares the same platform as the Sportage.The Tucson is due to break cover this year and is expected to be available with only hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.The current Tucson comes with a conventional plugless hybrid set-up, which uses a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol and a motor to produce 172kW and 367Nm.Hyundai offers a plug-in hybrid version of the mid-sizer overseas already.It uses a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 185kW and 367Nm, paired with a circa 13kWh battery that delivers an electric driving range of about 50km.Buyers should expect driving range to at least double and performance to grow to match the new wave of Chinese rivals.We also know the Tucson, and likely the Sportage, will get a massive 17-inch central multimedia screen and a 9.9-inch digital driver display. This is a move away from the brand’s current dual 12.3-inch screens.Thankfully it appears the carmakers will resist the urge to move all the controls within the touchscreen and will maintain physical buttons and dials, as seen in spy shots of the new Tucson interior.
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A new fuel price hike is approaching
By Tim Gibson · 22 Jun 2026
Fuel prices in Australia are about to rise again. The federal government has announced the Fuel Excise cut will continue at a lower rate until the start of August.The original 50 per cent discount equated to 32 cents per litre off fuel prices, but this was due to end on the 30th of June.The government will now extend a smaller discount of 16 cents per litre until the 2nd of August. This announcement means fuel prices will increase across the board in addition to any other fluctuations from external factors. A 16 cent increase will see diesel fuel prices increase back above the $2 per litre mark across the country, having been more than $3 per litre at times over the past few months. The diesel-powered Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux utes remain two of the best-selling cars in Australia.E10 petrol will also creep up towards the $2 point as a result of this decreased discount. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has not ruled out further extensions to the Fuel Excise discount in the future if circumstances require it. "Of course we do live in a volatile world. Were there to be a massive global shock, my government will always respond,” Mr Albanese told Sky News. The news comes as rumours of an end to the Iran war heat up, with the conflict being the key driver of high fuel prices. There is still no freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz - the key gateway for many ships carrying oil globally.It has seen electric vehicle uptake in Australia soar, with budget Chinese options like the Jaecoo J5 EV and Geely EX5 growing by more than 200 per cent between May and June 2026. Tesla experienced a record-breaking month in May, shifting 6433 units - its highest sales number since the Electric Vehicle Council started collecting data. The government will also increase the Heavy Vehicle Road User Charge to 16 cents per litre, with it being free since April. 
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Kia PV5 2026 review: Cargo – Australian first drive
By Chris Thompson · 19 Jun 2026
The 2026 Kia PV5 Cargo is the first time Kia’s built an electric van, and it’s coming with a futuristic design, low price, and competitive electric driving range to take on rivals like the VW ID.Buzz Cargo, the Renault Kangoo E-Tech or Peugeot E-Partner. We took a test drive at the Australian launch in Sydney’s industrial inner-south to find out how the PV5 handles its intended environment.
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New Kia is cheapest in its class
By Chris Thompson · 19 Jun 2026
Kia Australia has confirmed the local specification for its first electric van, the PV5.The 2026 Kia PV5 Cargo, the commercial version of the electric van that will be followed by a passenger version down the track, starts from $55,990 before on-road costs for its single S variant.This makes it the cheapest electric van in the market, with the second- and third-cheapest being the Peugeot E-Partner at $59,990 and the Renault Kangoo E-Tech at $61,990.The PV5 uses a single front-mounted electric motor with 120kW and 250Nm, and Kia claims (under WLTP testing) a 416km driving range from the van’s 71.2kWh battery. Combined consumption is quoted at 19.1kWh, though CarsGuide’s initial testing during the PV5’s launch review suggests urban consumption sits in the mid-teens.Charging takes around 30 minutes at its maximum DC charging rate of 150kW, while its AC charging is maxed at 11kW.The PV5 is also bigger than its more expensive Euro rivals in terms of its cargo bay.In the cargo area, the PV5 has 4.42m3 of space, measuring 2255mm in length, 1565mm in width, and 1520mm in height.At 4695mm long, 1895mm wide and 1899mm high, it’s also externally smaller than the likes of the Toyota HiAce or Ford Transit Custom.In terms of specification, the PV5 comes in Clear White paired with a Deep Navy interior, though the S variant (the only available) is not short of useful features.Along with plenty of storage cubbies in the cabin, the van has a 12.9-inch multimedia touchscreen running Kia’s newest software, plus a 7.5-inch driver display, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a two-speaker sound system (much better than you’d expect), a wireless phone charger, multiple USB-C ports, a 12-volt plug, lumbar adjustment on both seats for long stints, auto air-conditioning, auto headlights, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, heated folding mirrors and V2L capability.An exterior charging plug adapter for the PV5’s V2L ability is included as standard.Kia also specifies servicing intervals of 24 months or 30,000km, whichever comes first, and servicing can be prepaid at up to eight years for $2246.
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Real world EV efficiency test results
By Tim Gibson · 19 Jun 2026
Driving range is the biggest talking point with electric cars. Range anxiety remains a prevalent road block to potential EV buyers, despite ever-increasing claimed figures.Figures are measured using many different testing cycles, which all have varying degrees of perceived accuracy.  The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) is viewed as the most accurate standard available.Its testing figures often come in noticeably lower than the older New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) and the even more generous China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC). As much as these systems do their best to mirror real-world driving, they can never be truly accurate because of the different ways people use their cars.The Australian Automobile Association’s Real-World Testing Program has done the ground work to see just how accurate these figures are when they are put to the test on the roads. The testing was completed in Victoria, with each vehicle travelling a route of 93km.We’ve compiled the most- and least-accurate EV driving ranges, according to what is reported and what they actually did on the road.The figures used for this data are the quoted Australian Design Rules figures used for sales approval.Brands base these figures on the various testing standards, and this means the difference in accuracy between reported and actual figures may not be as dramatic as portrayed by the raw numbers. This is particularly apparent for Chinese brands that register a more lenient testing method (NEDC) than other brands, which represents an exaggerated difference compared to real-world figures than what WLTP would show. Topping the list for the most inaccurate figure is the 2023 MG4 all-wheel drive hatchback. The quoted figure for this car is 405km, but it was more than 100km off that calculated in the real world. It only managed 281km, which was a 31 per cent difference. The MG4 has a WLTP range of 350km, making it a less egregious roughly 19 per cent inaccuracy. The theme of Chinese brands continues down the list, with three of the other four cars in the top five all being made by BYD. The BYD Seal sedan has a claimed driving range of 650km, but in the real world it only reached 488km, resulting in a 25 per cent decrease, but that dropped to 14 per cent based on WLTP figures. BYD’s Dolphin hatchback had a 24 per cent drop-off on its ADR figure of 410km, only capable of travelling 313km, but that was only an eight per cent decrease based on WLTP. The Kia EV6 mid-size SUV registered an eight per cent shortfall on its WLTP figure, travelling 484km instead of 528km. Kia's EV5, EV6 and EV9 SUVs also represent 11 per cent shortfalls on their WLTP range figures. The BYD Atto 3 small SUV was also in the top five and had a 20 per cent shortfall on its ADR figure of 410km, only reaching 328km. That was only a 5 per cent decrease based on its WLTP figure. Finally, the Tesla Model 3 had a 14 per cent drop off on what was expected based on WLTP numbers. The Kia EV5 is joined by the Tesla Model Y, with ADR and WLTP figures only representing a three per cent difference at the other end of the scale.The BYD Sealion 7 is one of the more dramatic examples of the inaccuracy of the NEDC system. Its 17 per cent shortfall based on NEDC standards is reduced to just three per cent when based on WLTP. While this data demonstrates how EVs perform in real life, it also provides important insight into how differing testing standards can dramatically alter driving range expectations. WLTP figures remain the most accurate mainstream testing regime, with NEDC and CLTC testing exaggerating potential driving range.
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The car brands beating the Chinese
By Tom White · 13 Jun 2026
2026 has been a massive year of change for Australia’s new car market. The tide has turned against diesel, and global affairs have pushed more buyers than ever to hybrid and electric cars and into the arms of new brands with more competitive offerings.This has been disastrous for old favourites. In a market where the forever steadfast and market-leading Toyota has taken a nearly 25 per cent hit to its sales figures, something is definitely changing in the mindsets of buyers.Chery, BYD, Geely and Zeekr are up staggering amounts and are stealing sales from Subaru, Mitsubishi and Nissan, which are now looking at a future as former top-10 marques.There are still a handful of big name brands continuing to post gains. It’s a diverse group ranging from Mercedes-Benz to Hyundai.Let’s take a lookAfter years of nosediving down the Aussie new car sales charts, thanks to what the brand would probably describe as a tactical retreat to a more limited footprint and ‘agency’ sales model, Honda seems to have stabilised.The Japanese brand has posted a 5.1 per cent gain year-on-year accounting for a mere 52 units.It’s not a great story looking at the by-the-model numbers, with every car in the brands range posting declines apart from its best-selling CR-V posting a 4.4 per cent gain year-on-year, the ZR-V is up a very modest 0.8 per cent year-on-year and the brand-new Prelude sports car posted an additional 142 units.The Accord sedan has shrunk to a handful of units off of an already-low-base, while the Civic also posted a near 30 per cent decline.Hyundai has had a pretty decent year, even though its initial trailblazing range of EVs have had it tough in the face of new rivals.Up 5.1 per cent for the year, Hyundai’s gains come from its ageing Tucson mid-sizer and high-performing Kona small SUV, which is available with the choice of petrol, hybrid and pure electric power.It also posted solid gains from the addition of the Chinese-built Elexio to its range.The fully electric Hyundai Inster city car, which initially had a tepid reception, has surged back thanks to price-cuts and a renewed interest in electric cars off the back of the fuel crisis. The brand’s once-headline-grabbing Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, with their advanced E-GMP 800-volt platforms, continue to lose their shine.The loss of the i30 has also put a dent in the brands range, while the Venue also continues to tumble down the charts as it struggles to compete with keen new Chinese rivals such as the Chery Tiggo 4.Kia has proven to be a success story in 2026, with its well-received range of electric cars and Tasman ute forming a significant part of the brand’s additional volume.A gain of just 2.7 per cent isn't all good news. The Sportage has not quite enjoyed the same sales growth as its Hyundai Tucson relation, down over a thousand units year on year.The loss of the Cerato has been more than compensated for by the arrival of the K4, which has posted a massive gain of 1958 units year-on-year. The once-heavy-hitting Sorento has lost nearly half its volume.The EV3, EV4, and EV5 have all done well, but the EV6 and EV9, which are its most expensive EVs, have posted steep declines.The controversial Tasman ute is barely doing half the volume Kia had predicted pre-launch, it is still a significant volume-add for the brand, with more than 2000 units sold so far this year.The brand is up 3.4 per cent for the year, accounting for an additional 295 units. It is some of the older models from the brand’s line-up kicking goals.The A-Class and related GLA SUV posted solid gains alongside the electric EQA and EQB, while the GLC mid-size and GLE large SUVs have also done well.It’s not good news for the rest of the brand’s range. Its larger electric vehicles have failed to resonate with buyers. The EQE SUV was the hardest hit so far, down 383 units for the year, and the EQE, EQS and EQS SUV ranges all posted significant declines.Volvo’s story of steady-but-surely continues, posting a modest 2.4 per cent gain in 2026.The ever-popular XC40 continues to kick goals for the Swedish brand, with the model up 16.6 per cent year-on-year despite its age. The soon-to-be replaced XC60 also posted a small 1.8 per cent gain.The EX90, the brand’s new large fully electric SUV, is up 46.2 per cent off a very low base. The new SUV is still outsold at a ratio of three-to-one by its XC90 internal-combustion engined predecessor.The EX30 small SUV, which is a platform-share with the Zeekr X, posted modest gains, up 6.3 per cent.
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