Kia EV5 vs Ford Everest

What's the difference?

Make no mistake, you are looking at the biggest challenge the all-conquering Tesla Model Y has ever faced in Australia.

It’s the Kia EV5, a mid-size, all-electric SUV the Korean brand thinks will be its best-selling EV by some margin.

Oh, and it’s cheaper than the Tesla, by more than a little bit.

So, is this the electric SUV that might finally put an end to Tesla’s winning run in Australia?

Too often we see makes and models being treated to facelifts in the purest sense of the word. A new set of headlights, some flashy trim here and there and let’s call it a new model.

So, it’s a bit refreshing to see that this latest upgrade of the Ford Everest range has seen head office throw most of the money at the engineering department. Which, in this case, it’s used it to come up with a new entry-level four-cylinder turbo-diesel for the full-sized off-road SUV.

However, the difference here is the new engine makes less power and torque than the one it replaces. Significantly less, as it turns out. So what’s going on?

In a nutshell, this is Ford fitting a global engine to a global platform and using an engine that is theoretically more reliable and cheaper to produce. But while that might seem like a win for Ford, what does it mean for Everest buyers?

We’ve looked at the Everest range in its entirety here, but focussed our drive impressions on the new driveline that revolves around that new four-cylinder turbo-diesel.