I'm thinking about buying a mid-size electric SUV, which one should I get?

Dear Editor,    We are looking to replace our 10-year-old Kia Sportage and have decided to go all-electric. We’ve seen some interesting deals out there, but really want to make sure we don’t miss out on key tech updates. Nor do we want to compromise on a model that isn't ground-up electric. Our budget can go up to $60k if it includes on-roads. Any advice?  Regards,  Tom and Abbie

Hi Tom and Abbie. First of all, great to hear from you! And you’re right—there have been some very enticing deals on new all-electric cars in 2025. From Polestar and Hyundai offering considerable contributions of up to $20,000 if buyers sign up to their in-house finance, to big price cuts of up to 30 per cent for the Nissan Leaf and outgoing MG ZS EV, 2025 is seeing the lowest prices for EVs so far. 

Let's find some useful comparisons to replace your aging Kia Sportage, which would have cost around the $44,000 mark when new before on-roads. As luck would have it, Open Road last reviewed Kia’s mid-size SUV in 2016, commending it for new tech (which back then was a wireless phone charger), lots of second row head and leg room thanks to the length of the vehicle, and a slew of safety features. 

However, the diesel version tested was quite rowdy on the highway, and boot space, at 466 litres, could have been more generous. Also keep in mind, what was deemed ‘oodles of space’ in 2016 might not be in 2025, at least when it comes to EVs, which win back some air thanks to the lack of a central drive tunnel. 

Spec-wise, the 2016 Kia Sportage delivered 136kW/400Nm from its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine and was rated to tow up to 1.9 tonnes braked. Kia has long been known for its Australian-specific tuning, so we’re guessing you’d like something with decent ride and handling also. 

 

Mid-size electric SUV options 

Having a look at what’s on the market today, I think you can consider a price range of $40,000-$55,000 before adding on-road costs. That means you could choose from the following: 

• BYD Atto 3 (priced from $39,990),
• BYD Sealion 7 (which starts at $54,990),
• Leapmotor C10 (priced from $47,500),
• Geely EX5 (which starts from $40,990)
• Xpeng G6 (priced from $54,800)  

Note, these are all relative newcomers to the market, so things such as after sales service are relatively untested. That said, many have set up deals with mainstays like MyCar to circumvent this issue.  

If you’re after an EV from a brand that has already done the distance here in Australia, your choices are considerably fewer.  

You could consider a Tesla Model Y RWD once it arrives in its ‘Juniper’ 2025 format, but word is that it will be priced at $63,400 before on-roads once it goes live on Tesla’s website.  

Likewise, the newly arrived VW ID.4/ID.5 and Cupra Tavascan (which we’ve pitted against the Tesla Model Y here) range in price from $60,000 up to $75,000 before on-roads. The Hyundai Ioniq 5, Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra are also at the top of this price range, ruling them out for your budget.  

That leaves you with the Kia EV5 in its Standard Range Air format, which is priced at $56,770 driveaway. All the above options are based on electric-only platforms, so you won’t compromise on aspects such as storage or a drive tunnel eating up floor space in the back row.  

To help narrow down the list, below is a summary of the EVs Open Road has had the opportunity to review: the BYD Atto 3, the Geely EX5 and the Kia EV5. You can also get a rundown on some other models out there in our Everything Electric EV expo roundup. 

Read more: Showdown: 2025 Tesla Model Y vs Kia EV5

 

BYD Atto 3 

The BYD Atto 3 has been around for a few years now, launching in July 2022. It’s available in two variants: the Essential ($42,434 drive-away in NSW at the time of writing) and the longer-range Premium ($47,584 drive-away in NSW at the time of writing.) 

It’s proven itself a popular buy and, while often referred to as a compact SUV, is very similar in size to the Kia Sportage. In the back, leg room is commendable, providing ample space for passengers to stretch out comfortably. However, head room is somewhat limited, which could be a concern for taller passengers. Children in car seats will find the space adequate, but adults may feel the pinch during longer journeys. 

Storage-wise, however, it is somewhat wanting. With 440 litres in the back and 1340 litres with the seats down, it has less space than the 1455 litres offered in your Sportage. 

When we first reviewed the BYD Atto 3, it supported only wired Apple CarPlay, requiring users to connect their iPhones via USB. However, a recent over-the-air (OTA) software update has introduced wireless Apple CarPlay functionality, allowing for a seamless and cable-free connection. 

On the safety front, both variants of the 2025 Atto 3 get a full suite of safety features including driver assistance tech such as a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, automatic emergency braking, and collision warning systems for both front and rear. Lane-keeping assistance, lane departure warnings, blind-spot detection, door-open alerts, rear cross-traffic alerts, and braking are also standard. 

On the road, the Atto 3 delivers a balanced ride, effectively absorbing typical road imperfections. While it may not offer the sporty handling of some competitors, it did provided a comfortable and stable driving experience on a long distance drive from Sydney to Northern NSW. 

Geely EX5 

We reviewed the Geely EX5 recently and found it comes packed with tech that's right on today's money. It’s available in two variants: the entry-level ‘Complete’ that costs around $44,000 drive-away and the ‘Inspire’ which costs around $48,000 drive-away.  

Up front, you'll find a user-friendly infotainment system with a generously sized touchscreen that plays nice with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto—so no dramas syncing your phone. Other features include 3D camera view, power-adjustable and heated seats in the front row, plus a driver seat massage function, panoramic sunroof and 16-speaker surround sound for the range-topping Inspire.  

Its safety kit is solid too, ticking off essentials and some extras such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind spot detection, surround view camera, emergency manoeuvre, door opening warning and automatic emergency braking for both variants.  

Inside, the EX5 feels spacious enough for family duties or a weekend away, so could make a good replacement for your Sportage. The rear seats are particularly roomy, meaning tall adults won't complain on longer runs. It has almost as much boot space than the Sportage too, at 461 litres—good enough for everyday gear or the weekly shop—and with the seats down a very generous 1877 litres, not far off the Model Y. 

Out on the road, the EX5 is a comfy cruiser rather than a corner-carver. Our reviewer Liam Murphy found it takes Aussie potholes and rough bitumen in stride, smoothing out bumps without fuss. While it's no sports SUV and probably won’t thrill keen drivers, the handling is predictable and stable, ideal for those after fuss-free daily driving.

Kia EV5 

Touted as an electric alternative to the current Kia Sportage, the Kia EV5 went head-to-head with the Tesla Model Y in our recent comparison. While it is available in four variants all the way up to the range-topping $75,990 (before on-roads) GT-Line, it’s the $56,770 driveaway Standard Range that will fit your budget. 

The Kia EV5 Air comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) tech is also on hand. Unfortunately, however, many bells and whistles are only on the premium GT-Line (pending official local specs). For tech features such as wireless charging, remote parking assistance, a head-up display, interior 'mood lamp', cooled/heated rear storage, a smart powered tailgate and Harman/Kardon sound system, you’ll have to upgrade. 

On safety, expect a full kit, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, lane-keeping assistance, and automatic emergency braking. For a blind spot view monitor, surround view and parking collision avoidance assistance, you’ll also need to upgrade. 

Step inside the EV5 and it feels properly roomy—much like its petrol-powered cousin, the Sportage. Measuring 4615 mm long, 1875 mm wide, and 1715 mm tall, there's generous head and leg room front and back. Boot space hits the sweet spot too, at 513 litres (or 1714 litres with the seats down)—big enough for weekly groceries, kids' gear, or even camping trips without having to leave essentials behind. 

Built on Kia's dedicated electric E-GMP platform (shared with the EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5), the EV5 also gets Kia’s local tuning, ensuring a smooth and comfy ride over outright sporty handling. According to Open Road’s Kris Ashton, its suspension does a decent job soaking up potholes and bumps, while others have noted some wind noise that can detract from the driving experience.

The verdict? 

While this rundown is not exhaustive, it is certainly representative of the choice on offer in the mid-size electric SUV space. At the bottom of the price range, the BYD Atto 3 offers a comparatively affordable option that doesn’t skimp out on much, bar perhaps roominess.  

The newcomer Geely EX5 has lots going for it—tech, space and safety—as well as a slew of launch offers such as complimentary charging for one year and servicing for three years (available until the end of April).  

Meanwhile, the entry-level Kia EV5 misses out on premium tech features but offers similar space to the Sportage and the assurance of Kia’s local tuning and extensive service network. The choice is yours.