Kia guarantees 70% battery capacity retention in Australia, and the warranty is transferable to subsequent owners. But the length of the term depends on the model year of the car, and there is one model that sits outside the rule entirely.
The terms
| Applies to | Years | Kilometres | Capacity floor | Transfers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Kia EV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid — before model year 2027 | 7 | 150,000 km | 70% | Yes |
| All Kia EV, hybrid and plug-in hybrid — model year 2027 and later | 8 | 160,000 km | 70% | Yes |
| Kia EV4 — any model year | 8 | 160,000 km | 70% | Yes |
Kia also runs a separate 7-year, 150,000 km defects warranty on high-voltage EV system components, distinct from the capacity guarantee above.
Why the model-year split matters when buying used
Almost every used Kia EV on the market today — EV6, EV5, Niro EV, Sorento PHEV, Carnival HEV — falls in the pre-2027 bracket, so the realistic figure for a used-car buyer is 7 years and 150,000 km, not the 8 years many people assume from comparing Kia with Hyundai.
150,000 km is a genuinely reachable distance for a car used commercially or for long commutes. A 2022 EV6 doing 30,000 km a year will hit the distance limit before it hits the time limit.
The EV5 is an Australian-specific case
Kia Australia sells the EV5 with Chinese-built LFP packs of 64.2 kWh and 88.1 kWh. Europe gets a different 81.4 kWh NMC pack. European specification figures do not transfer to an Australian EV5, and Kia Australia publishes only "Energy 64.2/88.1 kWh" without stating whether that is usable or gross capacity.
If you are assessing a used EV5, be aware that any spec figure you find online may be for a car that was never sold here.
What to check on a used Kia EV
- The model year, which decides whether you have 7 or 8 years of cover
- The odometer against 150,000 km, which on a high-use car is the binding limit
- Which pack the car has — EV6 came with 54 or 74 kWh usable, EV3 with 55 or 78 kWh
- The tested State of Health against the 70% floor
Terms verified 13 September 2026 from Kia Australia's warranty terms and conditions, document updated 20 August 2026. Manufacturer terms change, and the terms that apply to any given car are those in force when it was first sold. Always confirm with the manufacturer for the specific vehicle.