Which mid-sized electric SUV should you buy? We compare Australia's top-selling EV, the Tesla Model Y, against the 2025 Kia EV5 and Xpeng G6 to see which car presents the strongest value case on paper

The electric SUV market has been Tesla’s since the Model Y arrived down under in 2022, with few rivals fit enough to challenge it from a range, price or technological perspective.

The competition has finally expanded in 2024, with cut-price Chinese and South Korean rivals gunning for the Model Y’s crown.

So, do they have the spec sheets to prove it?

We’ve put two of the most compelling Model Y rivals – the Kia EV5 and Xpeng G6 – head-to-head on paper with Australia’s top-selling EV to determine whether Tesla really has anything to worry about.

Dimensions and cargo space: The Model Y still reigns supreme

The Model Y is comfortably the leader when it comes to cargo space, offering what the brand claims is an additional 334-litres of additional storage over the Kia EV5 and a further 273-litres over the Xpeng G6.

It must be mentioned, however, that Tesla only quotes the space between the boot floor and the Model Y's roof, while most other brands only quote boot space to rear window line.

That said, the Model Y is known for its huge cargo capacity, adding an additional 117 litres under the bonnet, besting the Kia EV5 by 50 litres, while the Xpeng G6 is void of a front trunk entirely.

The discrepancies in cargo space are quite staggering when you factor in that the Model Y and Xpeng G6 are practically on par when it comes to dimensions, with the G6 actually 2mm longer than the Model Y and 26mm taller.

Tesla credits the Model Y's huge expansiveness to the Model Y's electric underpinnings, which positions the electric motor (or motors) closer to the axles, making way for additional cabin space.

Cargo space aside, the Model Y's huge width can make it feel a quite daunting to park, particularly when car parks don't always subscribe to the minimum 2.4m width they're required to. For those who prefer a slimmer car, the Kia EV5 is the safest bet.

Dimensions	Tesla Model Y	Kia EV5	Xpeng G6
Length (mm)	4751	4615	4753
Width (mm)	1921	1875	1920
Height (mm)	1624	1715	1650
Wheelbase (mm)	2890	2750	2890
Boot space (litres)	854	513	571
Frunk space (litres)	117	67	N/A
Curb weight (kg)	1911 (RWD), 1981 (AWD), 1998 (Performance)	1870, 2030 (Earth Long Range)	2026
Ground clearance (mm)	172, 157 (Performance)	175, 166 (Earth Long Range)	170

Range, battery size and power outputs: Does the G6 trump the Model Y and EV5 on the most important metrics?

When purchasing an EV, arguably the most important factor (beside cost) is range, and in this key metric the Xpeng G6 Long Range has either of its competitors beaten decisively. It carries an additional 47km over the Model Y and a whopping 70km over the EV5.

It has them both on another key metric as well – DC fast-charging time. According to Xpeng's claim for the G6 Long Range, you'll spend 18 fewer minutes at a charging station than you will charging the equivalent EV5, or seven minutes less on the equivalent Model Y. In a world of shortening attention spans and impatient drivers, that will undoubtedly make the G6 more appealing.

Achieving that figure, however, is obviously dependent on the charger meeting the max capacity of 280kW, which depends on how closely you live to a fast-charging station, which are unfortunately less common than one would hope. The Model Y might have the G6 in that respect, given it operates its own network of chargers across Australia with 250kW capacity pylons commonplace, the majority of which are exclusive to Tesla vehicles.

Despite having the largest battery pack, the Kia EV5 falls short on both of its rivals with a comparatively long charging time at 38 minutes at a maximum capacity of just 141kW.

In terms of speed and acceleration, the Model Y is streets ahead of the competition, a less practical metric but one that is undoubtedly appealing for some prospective buyers.

Its dazzling 0-100km/h time of 5.0 seconds is followed by the EV5's at 6.1 seconds, which is closely followed by the G6 at 6.2 seconds. The EV5 leads the way with power at 308kW, 32kW more than the Model Y and 108kW more than the G6, while the Model Y has them both covered with torque, giving it a class-leading towing capacity of 1600kg.

Specifications	Tesla Model Y AWD Long Range	Kia EV5 AWD Exclusive	Xpeng G6 Long Range
Battery Capacity (kWh)	75	88.1	87.5
WLTP-rated Range (km)	533	500	570
Power Output (kW)	286	308	210
Torque (Nm)	510	480	440
Acceleration (0-100km/h)	5.0 seconds	6.1 seconds	6.2 seconds
Top speed (km/h)	233	185	200
Maximum AC Charging Capacity	11kW three-phase	11kW three-phase	11lW three-phase
DC Charging Capacity (kW)	250	141	280
Claimed DC Charging Time (0-80 per cent)	27 minutes	38 minutes	20 minutes

Interior: Kia is the king of cabins

Since going on sale in the US in 2019, the Model Y is yet to receive a comprehensive facelift, both inside or out.

Despite the upgraded 'Juniper' model being earmarked to arrive next year, it's unlikely we will see a comprehensive redesign of the interior, with the combined central driver's display/multimedia display set to remain the standard for 2025 as we saw on the updated Model 3.

Tesla purists swear by it, but there are many in the automotive world who are rightly critical of the speedometer being located on the central screen where it exists alongside practically every other vehicle function.

Adopting an interior layout that appears to be inspired by the Model Y, Xpeng have gone a step further by installing a 10.2-inch digital driver display, and though the majority of vehicle controls are still commanded through the central infotainment screen, it will no doubt be a more approachable configuration for prospective buyers.

It's the Kia EV5 that takes the crown for the most compelling cabin, which is headlined by the integrated panoramic display, a simple, user-friendly display that Kia models have become known for in recent years. On the EV5, that includes twin 12.3-inch touchscreen displays and a smaller 5.0-inch touchscreen for climate controls wedged between.

The EV5 – and the G6 – are both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, with Tesla eschewing the software in favour of its own in-house system.

All three vehicles carry wireless charging capability, a panoramic sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats as standard, but only one model – the EV5 – provides the option of a massage function for the driver and an augmented reality head-up display.

Additionally, if you opt for the top-spec GT-Line variant, you'll get a storage area in the second row that can cool and heat up food, as well as an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system.

Tesla's stereo is considered one of the best in the business, though.

Dual-zone climate only comes on the EV5 and G6, while only the G6 carries an air purification system.

Price: Chinese value can't be beaten

These days, especially for EVs, its all about price. And who can undercut the competition with its low-cost manufacturing capacity more than anyone else? China.

Despite all three models being built for the Australian market in China, its the Chinese-owned Xpeng G6 that takes the cake from a price perspective. With a starting price of just $54,800 before on-road cost, its $1100 cheaper than the Tesla Model Y and $1,970 cheaper than the base-model Kia EV5.

Starting Prices

Prices are at before on-road costs

Tesla Model Y	Kia EV5	Xpeng G6
$55,900	$56,770	$54,800

Verdict: the X-Peng G6 is the winner...on paper

Price is arguably the most important factor informing a customer's decision to purchase an EV, and when you combine that with a better driving range and charging time than both of its key rivals, the answer of which EV makes the strongest case – the Xpeng G6 – becomes clear cut.

Having said that, all three vehicles make a compelling case in terms of value, with very little separating them on price or performance.

Regardless of preferences, that signals exciting times ahead for the EV market, particularly when you compare it to how it looked just two years ago when Tesla appeared untouchable.