Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) vs Mazda CX-5 (petrol): 5-year cost to own (NZ)

By Ivan H., EVCostIQ · reviewed against our public methodology · every source dated on this page

Over 5 years in New Zealand (14,000 km/yr), as of July 9, 2026, the Mazda CX-5 (petrol) stays the cheaper car to own — about $56,577 vs $73,477 for the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh), a $16,900 difference over 5 years.

No EV purchase rebate in NZ (the Clean Car Discount ended Dec 2023), and EVs now pay Road User Charges (~NZ$76/1,000 km). Both are reflected honestly — the RUC is included in the totals above. Source: NZTA.

Cheaper to own over 5 years · NZMazda CX-5 (petrol) · $56,577 total · $16,900 less than the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh)

Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) vs Mazda CX-5 (petrol) — where the money goes

5-year total cost of ownership by component, by vehicle (NZD). Estimates; sources dated in the methodology.
Cost component	Electric · Kia EV5 Light	Petrol · Mazda CX-5
Depreciation (estimated)	$39,434 (54%)	$21,595 (38%)
Charging / fuel	$6,329 (9%)	$15,384 (27%)
↳ of which charging loss	12% (~$759)	—
Maintenance	$2,247 (3%)	$4,501 (8%)
Insurance	$7,000 (10%)	$6,335 (11%)
Financing interest	$12,223 (17%)	$7,897 (14%)
Registration & fees	$6,245 (8%)	$865 (2%)
Total cost of ownership	$73,477	$56,577

When does the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) win?

The Mazda CX-5 (petrol) wins decisively here — $16,900 cheaper over 5 years; at typical assumptions this isn't a close call.

Only heavy drivers flip this one: the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) needs more than about 35,000 km/yr to beat the Mazda CX-5 (petrol).

What decides the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) vs Mazda CX-5 (petrol) verdict

One line outweighs everything else here: depreciation. It costs $39,434 on the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) against $21,595 on the Mazda CX-5 (petrol) — a $17,839 swing to the Mazda CX-5 (petrol), bigger than the $16,900 that separates the two 5-year totals. On the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh), depreciation alone is 54% of its $73,477 total; on the Mazda CX-5 (petrol) it is 38% of $56,577.

Energy: $6,329 of charging for the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) vs $15,384 of petrol for the Mazda CX-5 (petrol) — $9,055 the other way, to the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh).
Registration & fees: Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) $6,245, Mazda CX-5 (petrol) $865 — $5,380 more in the Mazda CX-5 (petrol)'s favor.
Financing interest: Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) $12,223, Mazda CX-5 (petrol) $7,897 — $4,326 more in the Mazda CX-5 (petrol)'s favor.

Energy is the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh)'s strong suit: $9,055 back, 54% of the Mazda CX-5 (petrol)'s lead — just not enough to turn it. At the dealer the Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) starts $23,000 behind the Mazda CX-5 (petrol); running costs claw back $6,100 of that, but the Mazda CX-5 (petrol) still ends $16,900 ahead. The Mazda CX-5 (petrol) is ahead by $6,929 after the first year and more than doubles that lead — $16,900 by year 5.

Kia EV5 Light (88kWh) vs Mazda CX-5 (petrol), side by side

Electric