Photo of Byron Mathioudakis
Byron Mathioudakis

Contributing Journalist

24 min read

For this comparison, we are leaving all baggage at the door.

That’s because we’re assessing the latest version of the world’s most popular EV, the Tesla Model Y, against one of its most serious competitors, the Kia EV5.

Though both are made in China, one’s an American with a facelift (what’s new). The other is an all-new model from Korea, from one of the EV industry’s most acclaimed and accomplished players, and both are being tested here for what they are, not who or what they represent.

Read the full Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive vs Kia EV5 GT-Line 2026 comparison review.