{"id":299981,"date":"2022-01-30T10:01:00","date_gmt":"2022-01-29T23:01:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=299981"},"modified":"2024-10-11T02:31:42","modified_gmt":"2024-10-10T15:31:42","slug":"kia-ev6-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/kia-ev6-australia","title":{"rendered":"I Would Have Never Considered Buying A Kia\u2026 Until I Saw The Kia EV6"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/main.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kia<\/a> has come a long way in recent years.<\/strong><\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"><p>The dependable South Korean auto maker has always been reasonably popular in Australia, thanks to its large range of affordable, reliable (if somewhat dull) cars like the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/cars\/rio\/features.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rio<\/a> and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/cars\/sportage\/features.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sportage<\/a>. But Kia \u2013 as well as South Korean car brands more generally \u2013 used to be very much pigeonholed into that \u2018boring\u2019 characterisation. In recent years, however, they\u2019ve really started to shrug that dowdy image thanks to some rather inspired vehicles.<\/p><p>First, there was the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/cars\/kia-stinger\/features.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kia Stinger<\/a>: a four-door performance sedan that very cleverly filled the void left by the demise of the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon. Killer styling, a throaty twin-turbo V6 and luxurious fit-out made it a truly special vehicle. While the car was never quite the sales success Kia had hoped for \u2013 the vehicle now facing discontinuation at the end of 2022 \u2013 it certainly moved the needle for what Aussies expected from the brand.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-279105671\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_658597176 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_658597176 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[300,250],[320,100],[320,180],[336,280],[640,360]],\"incontent-279105671\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_658597176.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-279105671\");});};adsQueue.push(load_658597176);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299981\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p>Another success for Kia has been the diminutive <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/cars\/picanto\/features.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Picanto<\/a>. One of the cheapest and smallest new cars on sale in the country, the Picanto has set a new high watermark for what you can expect from a city car \u2013 and the GT variant, while hardly a hot hatch <em>per se<\/em>, is an amazing drive and perhaps, dollar for dollar, the best new enthusiast\u2019s car on the market today.<\/p><p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/kia-picanto-gt-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Kia Picanto GT Is, Pound For Pound, The Best Sports Car In Australia<\/a><\/p><p>If the Picanto and the Stinger were a one-two punch, Kia has now thrown a third killing blow with the announcement of their newest electric vehicle: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/cars\/EV6\/coming-soon.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the EV6<\/a>. High-tech, incredibly good-looking, practical and with surprisingly hefty performance credentials to boot, it might just be the most exciting car (certainly the most exciting <a href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/electric-cars-australia\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">electric car<\/a>) reveal in recent memory.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1823230197\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_283486265 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_283486265 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1823230197\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_283486265.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1823230197\");});};adsQueue.push(load_283486265);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-watch-the-kia-ev6-launch-trailer-below\">Watch the Kia EV6 launch trailer below<\/h3><div><div><script src=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/players\/Fikd0UAH-KKjjplFe.js\"><\/script><\/div><\/div><p>The <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kia.com\/au\/cars\/ev6\/features.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kia EV6<\/a> is a compact crossover SUV and the third vehicle to utilise the Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is shared with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the also recently-unveiled Genesis GV60. Where the Genesis is aimed at luxury buyers and the Hyundai at a more broad audience, the EV6 is a more performance-focused vehicle \u2013 a characterisation its muscular, futuristic looks and purposeful stance reinforces.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1253154164\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_2121824426 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_2121824426 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1253154164\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_2121824426.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1253154164\");});};adsQueue.push(load_2121824426);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>It\u2019s not just aesthetics that differentiates the vehicles. While mechanically, the Ioniq 5 and EV6 are very similar \u2013 both featuring a 239kW, dual-motor, all-wheel drive, 77.4 kWh battery setup at their top trim levels \u2013 the top-of-the-line EV6 GT\u2019s 0-100km\/h time is much faster: 3.5 seconds versus the Ioniq 5\u2019s 5.2 seconds (which is still nothing to sniff at; that\u2019s only .3 slower than the Kia Stinger). It also has a greater claimed range (up to 528km) and charges faster (only needing 4.5 minutes to charge 100km of range).<\/p><p>3.5 seconds is very fast \u2013 faster than the new <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/bmw-m3-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">BMW M3 Competition<\/a> or a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/lamborghini-urus-review\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lamborghini Urus<\/a>. Crucially, however, it\u2019s faster than a Tesla Model Y, the pioneering EV brand\u2019s compact crossover SUV that\u2019s also yet to hit Australian shores. (It\u2019s also faster than the highest spec of the Tesla Model X SUV that\u2019s currently available Down Under, the Model X Performance, but not as fast as the Model X Plaid, which hasn\u2019t made its way here yet).<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-300115 size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/kia-ev6-2-920x613.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300115\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">You might be forgiven for thinking this was a Lambo\u2019s interior, but nope, it\u2019s a Kia. The EV6 features a similar two-spoke steering wheel design to those being used by Genesis, Hyundai\u2019s luxury marque. Image: Kia<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>It\u2019s clear that Kia and its parent company Hyundai are aiming squarely at Tesla with the EV6, especially with the GT. But it\u2019s a fight that Kia can actually win. Kia\u2019s build quality is lightyears ahead of Tesla\u2019s. The EV6\u2019s straightforward cabin layout (with real buttons and switches, thank God!) and premium look make Tesla\u2019s overly minimal cabin seem austere by comparison. You can also bet that Kia will trump Tesla when it comes to servicing, warranty and customer service, too \u2013 especially in Australia.<\/p><p>But the EV6 isn\u2019t just aiming at Tesla. Volkswagen, too, has finally joined the EV fray with its modular MEB platform, and even the big American auto makers like Ford are finally getting in on the action with vehicles like the Mustang Mach-E. That\u2019s to say nothing of China\u2019s ever-growing fleet of high-tech EVs, like the MG ZS EV, the cheapest new EV currently on sale in Australia.<\/p><p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/china-peoples-tesla-wuling-hongguang-mini-ev-best-selling-electric-car\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">China\u2019s \u2018People\u2019s Tesla\u2019 Overtakes Elon\u2019s Model 3 As Best-Selling Electric Car<\/a><\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-192365577\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_692660360 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_692660360 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-192365577\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_692660360.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-192365577\");});};adsQueue.push(load_692660360);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>The EV6 and its E-GMP siblings represent South Korea staking its claim for the future of motoring. And it\u2019s one bold claim.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-300116 size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/kia-ev6-3-920x613.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300116\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The EV6 from the front. Kia\u2019s head of design, Luc Donckerwolke (who was previously at Bentley) says the EV6\u2019s design was inspired by rally cars like the Lancia Stratos. We don\u2019t quite see it, but it\u2019s a pretty thing nonetheless. Image: Kia<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.drive.com.au\/reviews\/2022-kia-ev6-gt-line-prototype-international-first-drive\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Drive<\/em><\/a> had the chance to test a \u201cnear to production-ready prototype form\u201d last year, and they were impressed. Kia hasn\u2019t announced an exact date for when the EV6 will arrive in Australia next year (or how much it\u2019ll cost) \u2013 you can bet it won\u2019t exactly be the cheapest car around \u2013 but it will most definitely undercut its European\/premium competition\u2026 Or at least, be a more than worthy contender.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1331416118\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_354706272 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_354706272 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1331416118\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_354706272.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1331416118\");});};adsQueue.push(load_354706272);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>And ultimately, that\u2019s what we think is so special about the EV6. The EV market in Australia (which admittedly is very nascent) is dominated by either luxury marques on one end of the spectrum or rather plain offerings on the other end. The EV6 is neither of those things. It\u2019s a car that we think will finally change the outdated conception of South Korean vehicles whilst also shaking up the EV\/performance landscape in one fell swoop. In short, we\u2019re bloody excited.<\/p><p>Here are some other needle-shifting, upcoming EVs we\u2019re excited about:<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-rivian-r1t\">Rivian R1T<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-294497 size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/r1t_hero_camping-920x613.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-294497\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Rivian R1T. Rivian also has plans for an SUV variant named the R1S. Image: Rivian<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>If the Kia EV6 is aimed at the Tesla Model Y, the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/rivian.com\/r1t\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rivian R1T<\/a> is aimed at the Tesla Cybertruck. The American EV startup\u2019s first and flagship vehicle, the R1T is an exceptionally exciting car that\u2019s poised to upend the ute game. Considering that the similarly-sized Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger are Australia\u2019s top-selling vehicles, the R1T is a significant new release.<\/p><p>Not only does it look amazing \u2013 more conventional than the <em>Blade Runner<\/em>-esque Cybertruck but still plenty futuristic \u2013 with over 482kms of range, 35cm of ground clearance and a 0-100km\/h time of under 3 seconds (depending on your tyre choice), the R1T is a truly exciting prospect, which has already convinced hundreds of buyers to put deposits down for the forthcoming beast.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1957469391\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1848402936 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1848402936 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1957469391\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1848402936.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1957469391\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1848402936);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>But the really exciting thing about the R1T is its practicality. Aside from the spacious interior cabin and large tray, the ute features a huge \u2018gear tunnel\u2019 under the rear seats which can store a number of different modules, including a \u2018Camp Kitchen\u2019 module that looks to be a game-changer for off-road camping \u2013 or simply be an extra storage location for large, bulky items.<\/p><p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/rivian-r1t-tesla-cybertruck-rival-ev-pickup-camp-kitchen-future-of-camping\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Tesla Cybertruck Rival Threatens To Make Camping Actually Enjoyable<\/a><\/p><p>As alluded to, the R1T is available now for pre-order with prices starting at US$73,000 and deliveries beginning in January 2022. It\u2019s only available in North America at this present moment but Rivian has confirmed an Australian launch, as well as registered trademarks for a whole range of EVs \u2013 seemingly preparing a full-scale assault on Australia\u2019s ute and SUV market, as <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.carsguide.com.au\/car-news\/rivian-revs-up-for-australia-new-trademarks-point-to-four-model-attack-on-everything-from\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>CarsGuide<\/em><\/a> relates.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1479800783\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1727265744 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1727265744 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1479800783\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1727265744.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1479800783\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1727265744);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-gmc-hummer-ev\">GMC Hummer EV<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-300309 size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/gmc-hummer-ev-920x518.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300309\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The new GMC Hummer EV, seen here in truck format. In a similar situation to the R1T, the imposing vehicle will also be available in an SUV body style come 2022. Image: Motor1<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>If we\u2019re talking about vehicles that are designed to completely rehabilitate a car brand\u2019s image, the new <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gmc.com\/electric\/hummer-ev\/pickup-trucks-suvs\" target=\"_blank\"  rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GMC Hummer EV<\/a> 4\u00d74 comes to mind. Yes, you read that right. American auto giant General Motors has revived its controversial Hummer brand as an electric-only endeavour.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-572057600\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1395074008 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1395074008 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-572057600\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1395074008.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-572057600\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1395074008);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>The biggest criticism of the civilian Hummer was that it had none of the off-road capability of the mil-spec Hummers it was trying to aesthetically imitate, while still having just as poor fuel economy. The Hummer EV, however, not only looks cool but has the off-road capability to back up its chunky looks \u2013 oh yeah, and doesn\u2019t burn any fossil fuels while doing so.<\/p><p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/arnold-schwarzenegger-retro-supervillain-car-excalibur\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Arnold Schwarzenegger Ditches His Hummer For Ridiculous \u2018Supervillain\u2019 Car<\/a><\/p><p>Billed as \u201cthe world\u2019s first zero-emissions, zero limits all-electric supertruck,\u201d the new Hummer ain\u2019t no gimmick. With a claimed 0-100 time of just over 3 seconds, four-wheel steering, over 40cm of ground clearance and even waterproof underbody cameras that can help you pick the best line when navigating a trail, the Hummer EV is sure to revolutionise off-roading.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-86143563\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1452803553 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1452803553 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-86143563\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1452803553.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-86143563\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1452803553);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>The Hummer EV is currently only available in North America, and hasn\u2019t really hit showroom floors yet even there. Reservations for the US$112,595 USD (~AU$146,000) Edition 1 variant filled up ages ago, with deliveries for that top-flight model scheduled for mid-2021. The base model Hummer EV\u00b2, which has a US$79,995 (~AU$103,500 AUD) sticker price, won\u2019t be available until 2024, GM relates, and they\u2019re yet to announce any plans to bring the car Down Under. Still, one can only dream\u2026<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-renault-5-electric\">Renault 5 Electric<\/h3><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-300313 size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/renault5prototype-920x517.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-300313\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Renault 5 Electric concept car. While this is but a concept car, production has been confirmed for the pint-sized Gallic pocket rocket within the next three years. Image: Top Gear<\/figcaption><\/figure><p>From 4x4s to hot hatches: another car we can\u2019t wait for is the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.renault.co.uk\/concept-cars\/renault-5-electric.html\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Renault 5 Electric<\/a>. Renault (as well as French cars more broadly) have never really had a stellar reputation in Australia \u2013 indeed, their value proposition has never quite weighed up as well as their German or Japanese competitors. But like the EV6, the Renault 5 Electric could do much to rehabilitate Renault\u2019s image in the eyes of Aussies.<\/p><p>Named after the Renault 5 supermini produced from 1972 to 1996 \u2013 France\u2019s most popular car ever \u2013 the Renault 5 Electric features similarly compact dimensions and styling cues\u2026 And low price. Indeed, it\u2019s entirely possible it could be Australia\u2019s first sub-$35,000 European electric hatchback, with the CMF-BEV small electric car platform that Renault has invested in poised to drastically amortise production costs.<\/p><p>Just as the original Renault 5 changed perceptions of what a small, affordable car could offer drivers, the new Renault 5 Electric is also intended to \u201cdemocratise the electric car\u201d and provide a practical, affordable yet fun entry point into the world of electric vehicles. Additionally, just as the original Renault 5 had some great \u2018hot\u2019 versions, like the bonkers Renault 5 Turbo, there are plans for a performance Alpine variant of the Renault 5 Electric \u2013 as well as even a van version.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-831826383\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1152647730 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1152647730 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-831826383\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1152647730.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-831826383\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1152647730);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/worst-selling-car-australia\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australia\u2019s Worst-Selling Car Brand Also Has A Formula 1 Team<\/a><\/p><p>Will it succeed in Australia? Hard to say. Renault\u2019s current small EV, the Zoe (which the 5 Electric will almost certainly replace) was pulled from the Australian market in 2019 after Renault only sold 63 examples of the thing after three years, with the brand directly citing the lack of Australian government incentives as the main reason for the Zoe\u2019s axing. But in terms of aesthetics, performance and affordability, the Zoe is worlds away from the 5 Electric \u2013 and so it might just be what the doctor ordered for EV sales Down Under.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-297991 size-medium\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/electric-vehicle-charging-adelaide-920x613.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-297991\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A public electric car charging station in Adelaide, Australia\u2019s fifth-most populous city. Image: Adelaide City Council<\/figcaption><\/figure><p><strong>RELATED<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/cars\/free-electric-cars-australia\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Australia In The Dark Ages While Germans Get Free Electric Cars<\/a><\/p><p>All these vehicles are but one part of a much bigger picture. The big takeaway is this: the rise of EVs has let non-traditional players gain a leg up in the ultra-competitive car market. It\u2019s become a game of technology rather than just straight luxury or performance.<\/p><p>We\u2019re in the midst of a paradigm shift \u2013 and we can\u2019t wait to see what happens next.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Kia EV6 is a truly impressive car that&#8217;s really thrown down the gauntlet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101060,"featured_media":300114,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1167],"tags":[131613],"coauthors":[146236],"class_list":{"0":"post-299981","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-image","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cars","8":"tag-electric-vehicles","9":"post_format-post-format-image"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101060"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=299981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/299981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/300114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=299981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=299981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=299981"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=299981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}