Car news, 04 Apr ’24: Kia’s electric EV5 could land under $60K, Tesla slashes Model Y pricing by up to $8500, and more
Olek Novak
Journalist
Every important car news story breaking today, one convenient read
Thanks for joining us this Thursday April 4th 2024. Notably in car news today: a sub $60K price is expected for Kia’s prospective electric volume-selling EV5 midsize SUV, while key rival Tesla Model Y gets its lineup’s pricing slashed by up to $8500.
Sub-$60K price expected for Kia’s EV5 midsize electric SUV
The new Kia EV5 midsize electric SUV is expected to undercut the Tesla Model Y with a sharp sub-$60K entry price before on-road costs when the model launches in Australia this June.
A compelling price proposition will be crucial for the Chinese-built lineup to compete against the Model Y – Australia’s top selling electric vehicle – which starts at a recently reduced $63,900 list for its standard-range rear-wheel-drive base variant.
The Chinese-built Kia EV5 will launch in Australia in June
The EV5’s positioning is geared for value and volume sales as compared to the more expensive EV6 and EV9. Crucially, Kia says that opting for a Chinese-sourced model as compared to a Korean-sourced vehicle offers several advantages, one of which being the elimination of competition with Europe for supply.
Kia says it will be able to secure up to 850 units a month, meaning a potential sales volume of around 10,000 a year, with the EV5 groomed to be one of Kia’s most popular vehicles, and its biggest electric vehicle to date.
Tesla Australia has slashed pricing of two of its three variants of the biggest-selling electric car in the country, the Model Y midsize SUV.
The biggest mover is the Model Y Performance, with Tesla slashing $8500 off the list price for the flagship dual-motor variant which now lists from $82,900. With no options fitted and in white paint, this variant now slips under the Luxury Car Tax threshold.
Tesla has slashed pricing for two of its three Model Y variants (Performance grade pictured)
The dual-motor Model Y Long Range has been treated to a $5500 price reduction and now lists from $72,900.
Meanwhile, the entry-level, single-motor, rear-driven Model Y has been trimmed by a modest $1500 and kicks the range off from $63,900 before on roads.
The price reduction is hardly in response to flagging sales: according to March VFACTS industry sales data, Tesla Y sat only behind Ford Ranger and Toyota RAV4 in outright sales (with 4379 units) as the third-biggest seller in Australia for that month, supplanting the mighty Toyota Hilux to fourth.
Ford Ranger PHEV spotted on Aussie roads!
The much anticipated plug-in hybrid iteration of Australia’s top-selling vehicle, the Ford Ranger pickup, has been spotted on Australian roads thanks to a keen-eyed member of the public.
Parked unassumingly in a Bunnings car park in Sunbury, Victoria, the white Ranger PHEV is decked out with black wheels, side mirrors and grille, but there is little to to give it away as a plug-in hybrid except for a charging port above the rear passenger side wheel.
The Ford Ranger PHEV has been spotted in Victoria (Image credit: Next-Gen Ranger Owners Australia, Facebook)
Ford has previously confirmed a Ranger PHEV dual-cab ute will go on sale in early 2025, promising an electric range “in excess” of 45 kilometres, and 3.5-tonne towing capacity with the engine in operation.
The images surface after the Ranger cemented its lead as Australia’s most popular car in the latest monthly new car delivery figures – 5661 units were sold in March, ahead of its arch rival the Toyota Hilux ute which slipped to fourth position on 3995 units.
Hot deal for Skoda Kodiaq buyers
The Skoda Kodiaq Sportline will be offered at the same price as the lower Style variant, and will be priced at a national driveaway price of $56,490.
The Kodiaq joins the $32,990 Kamiq, $39,990 Karoq and the $42,490 OctaviaSportline, all of which are driveaway prices.
Skoda’s Kodiaq Sportline (pictured) is being offered at the same price as the lower Style variant
Standard features for the Kodiaq Sportline include 20-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, tyre pressure monitoring, aluminium pedals, sports comfort cloth front seats and a power adjustable driver’s seat.
Options include leather seat upholstery with front ventilation ($2300) and a panoramic sunroof ($1900).
A run-out pack is also offered for $4600 which includes adaptive chassis control, powered front passenger seat, 360-degree camera and adaptive lane guidance all included.
Polestar 4 walkaround published
Chasing Cars’ production specialist Tom Place’s walkaround of the 2024 Polestar 4 was published.
Place had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the new 4 SUV in Australia, which will see first deliveries begin in August 2024.
First deliveries of the Polestar 4 in Australia will begin in August
Two grades will be offered from launch, with the long-range single motor to cost $81,500 before on-road costs, or $93,050 before on-road costs for the long-range dual motor.
Place explains in his video why the car lacks a rear window, and instead uses a digital centre rear-view mirror.
Up to 400kW of power will be available, with power coming from a large 100kWh (94kWh usable) battery pack.
