Kia launches $20K EV5 electric SUV in China to rival leaders BYD and Tesla
Kia launched its new EV5 electric SUV in China Friday. With a starting price of around $20K (149,800 yuan), the EV5 is expected to take on market leaders, including Tesla’s Model Y.
Can Kia compete in the world’s largest EV market? The South Korean automaker hopes to achieve that with its new compact electric SUV.
Kia officially unveiled the EV5 in August as a family-friendly electric SUV. After opening pre-orders in China on August 25, Kia revealed prices would be much lower than expected.
Although local reports expected starting prices of around $40,000 (300,000 yuan), Kia is launching the EV5 at half that.
The EV5 officially launched Wednesday with a starting price of $20,700 (149,800 yuan). That significantly undercuts the Tesla’s Model Y, starting at 266,400 yuan ($37,000).
At 4,615 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,715 mm tall, the EV5 will compete directly with the Model Y (L – 4,760 mm, W – 1,921 mm, H – 1,624 mm).
Kia’s electric SUV will compete with low-cost EVs from leaders like BYD. BYD is dominating the market with affordable EVs like the Dolphin electric hatchback and Yuan Plus.
The Dolphin starts at around $17,000 (126,800 yuan), while the Yuan Plus is priced at $19,000 (139,800 yuan).
Kia launches $20K EV5 to take on BYD, Tesla
Influenced by its flagship EV9’s design, the EV5 “brings a new era of electric mobility to the compact SUV sector to meet the needs of millennial families.”
The EV5 features Kia’s new “Opposites United” design, including a rugged, boxy exterior with powerful fenders.
You will notice the new “Tiger Face” up front, replacing Kia’s signature “Tiger Nose” grille. The vehicle’s three-dimensional “Star Map Lighting” further emphasizes the SUV’s aggressive design.
Since millennials use their SUV as an “additional room,” according to Kia, the EV5’s interior is designed to be more like a home lounge. A pushed-back D-pillar extends the interior space. Meanwhile, the folding rear bench provides ultimate flexibility with additional storage under the floor.
Equipped with Kia’s connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC), the EV5 features a panoramic wide display. This includes a dual 12.3″ cluster and infotainment and a 5″ climate control display.
Kia kept the interior simple with few buttons, resulting in a minimalist feel. Instead, four hidden hard keys are held under the central AVNT screen.
Based on Hyundai’s E-GMP platform, the EV5 will come in three variations: standard, long-range, and long-range AWD.
The standard Kia EV5 trim, starting at around $20K, is equipped with a 64.2 kWh BYD Blade battery pack and 160 kW motor, providing up to 530 km (329 miles) CLTC range. The long-range model features an 88.1 kWh battery for up to 720 km (447 miles) CLTC range.
That’s not too far off from Tesla’s Model Y. The Model Y RWD, starting at 266,400 yuan ($37K), features 554 km (344 miles) CLTC range. The Model Y long-range, starting at 302,400 yuan ($42K), includes up to 544 km (338 miles) range.
Electrek’s Take
Kia’s new electric SUV could play a significant role as the automaker looks to expand in the biggest EV market globally.
At nearly half the cost, Kia’s EV5 is aimed at rival market leaders like Tesla’s Model Y. It will also take on low-cost competitors like the BYD Dolphin and Yuan Plus EVs.
The only thing Kia needs to work on now is bringing the EV5 overseas to the US. Kia’s flagship EV9 will hit US dealerships by the end of the year, but a smaller, cheaper option could sell with affordable EVs like the current Bolt EV, being retired at the end of the year.
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Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to unveil the electric version of its best-selling SUV, the GLC, later this year. With its official debut just around the corner, Mercedes revealed a few new details, offering an exclusive first look at the new EV.
Mercedes offers an exclusive look at the new electric GLC
Although we got a sneak peek of the electric SUV in March during winter testing in Northern Sweden, Mercedes is giving us a better idea of what to expect.
“We’re not just introducing a new model – we’re electrifying our top seller,” Mercedes-Benz Group CEO, Ola Källenius, said on Thursday.
Mercedes promises the electric GLC “sets new standards” with a sleek new design, advanced tech, and its new MB.OS operating system.
The new GLC EV is an upgrade over the current model, offering significantly more space and improved ride quality. Since the wheelbase is 3.1″ longer than the current gas-powered SUV, the electric version has more legroom and headroom for front and rear passengers.
With all the seats folded, the electric SUV offers 61.4 cubic feet of space. The gas-powered model features up to 56.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Plus, you get an extra 4.5 cu ft of space in the trunk (front trunk).
Källenius said that with Mercedes’ new 800V electric architecture and latest batteries, the electric GLC can regain around 260 km (161 miles) WLTP range in just ten minutes. He added that DC fast charging at over 320 kW is possible.
The GLC 400 4MATIC with EQ Technology will arrive with impressive towing capability of up to 5,291 lbs. In comparison, the Tesla Model Y can only tow up to 3,500 lbs.
Added features, such as ESP trailer stabilization and trailer maneuvering assistant, make it even easier to tow with optimized stability and control.
Källenius also teased the new electric GLC design, calling it the start of a “new era” and “a new face of the brand as the first in a family of upcoming vehicles.”
The inside is just as impressive, providing a holistic experience. A “majestically floating next generation MBUX Hyperscreen” is optional, providing a spatial experience powered by the new MB.OS supercomputer.
Mercedes will unveil the new electric GLC at the 2025 International Motor Show in Munich on September 7, 2025.
Although official range figures will be revealed at the event, according to Car and Driver, which tested a prototype model, Mercedes said it expects the new GLC to provide a WLTP range of just over 400 miles, or slightly more than 300 miles on the EPA scale, from a 94.5 kWh battery.
Prices will also be announced in due time, but given that the current GLC 350e 4MATIC PHEV starts at $59,900 in the US, you can expect the electric model to be priced slightly higher, at around $65,000.
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Tesla (TSLA) announced its 2025 annual shareholders meeting at the very last minute, and it pushed it all the way to November, the latest it has ever held the meeting.
Tesla generally holds its annual meeting in the summer and announces it way ahead of time.
Today, the automaker announced that the meeting will be held on November 6:
The board of directors (the “Board”) of Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) has designated November 6, 2025 as the date of Tesla’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”).
This is highly unusual for Tesla. Here are the dates of Tesla’s last 5 annual meetings:
- 2020: September 22, 2020
- 2021: October 7, 2021
- 2022: August 4, 2022
- 2023: May 16, 2023
- 2024: June 13, 2024
At those meetings, shareholders vote on several matters, including the reelection of directors and shareholders’ proposals.
Tesla has not released any yet, but they are expected to be in the upcoming proxy statement, which Tesla should release in the coming weeks.
Why does Tesla need more time?
Electrek’s Take
I think Tesla is working on some proposals that are going to take time to put together and then to sell to shareholders – hence why the meeting is set for November.
There are two suspects: a new CEO compensation package for Musk or a merger/acquisition of xAI.
It could also be both, but I think that would be harder to swallow for some shareholders as both initiatives have a clear aim of giving Musk a bigger stake in Tesla.
I think sane investors should not want that, but Tesla shareholders don’t fit in that category. Much of Tesla’s value is attached to Musk’s lies and ridiculous predictions. The value will have to come down to reality at some point, but they are a bunch of gamblers who are enjoying the ride in the meantime.
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A three-row electric SUV for less than $30,000? Sign me up. NIO (NYSE: NIO) opened pre-orders for the new Onvo L90 on Thursday, starting from 193,900 yuan, or about $27,000.
NIO kicks off Onvo L90 pre-orders in China
NIO claims the Onvo L90 is the lightest full-size three-row SUV in its class, with a curb weight just under 5,000 lbs (2,250 kg). In comparison, the Lucid Gravity has a curb weight of 5,966 lbs (2,712 kg).
The new flagship model is designed as a family-friendly SUV, offering ample interior space and advanced technology.
At 5,145 mm long, 1,998 mm wide, and 1,766 mm tall, the Onvo L90 is slightly bigger than the Lucid Gravity. In China, it will go head-to-head with higher-end electric SUVs like Li Auto’s L9.
However, the L9 is an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) and starts at around 409,800 yuan ($57,000), more than double the price of the Onvo L90.
The low price of 193,900 yuan ($27,000) applies only to those who rent the battery. Nio’s Battery as a Service (BaaS) costs 899 yuan ($125) a month. With the battery included, the Onvo L90 still starts at just 279,900 yuan ($39,000).
Nio’s new electric SUV is offered in six and seven-seat configurations. The interior features a massive 17.2″ floating infotainment screen at the center.
Other interior highlights include a three-zone climate control system, massage, heating, and ventilation for every seat, as well as an additional entertainment screen for rear passengers. And like many new vehicles in China nowadays, it even comes with a built-in refrigerator.
Powered by an 85 kWh battery, the Onvo L90 offers a CLTC range of 605 km (367 miles). It’s also based on NIO’s next-gen 900V platform, unlocking class-leading energy consumption of just 14.5 kWh per 100 km.
Buyers can choose from single and all-wheel-drive powertrains. The AWD version boasts up to 590 hp (440 kW), good for a 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) sprint in just 4.7 seconds.
NIO is offering an incentive for early pre-order holders. Those who place an order with a 2,000 yuan deposit will receive a 5,000 yuan credit off the vehicle and an extra 5,000 yuan for optional features and more. Nio plans to begin delivering Onvo L90 to customers, starting on August 1.
The L90 is the second Onvo-branded EV to arrive in China, following the smaller L60, launched last September.
Source: CarNewsChina, NIO Onvo
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