Australia's best electric cars for 2023

All of a sudden, we're just about spoiled for choice when it comes to EVs. Now you need to know: Which electric cars are the best in 2023?

We’ve run a megatest of almost every electric vehicle under $100,000 to find out which are the best EVs for 2023 in Australia.

The EV market is gradually growing with new entrants like the affordable facelifted MG ZS EV and BYD Atto 3 small SUVs priced just under $50,000, popular Tesla Model Y crossover, Kia EV6 and Polestar 2 liftback joining the premium-priced segment, and the Mercedes-Benz EQB marking a return of a seven-seater electric family SUV in 2022.

We’ve linked in-depth reviews of each model in the story below, to help you get all the details you need.

Find our other stories in this series, exploring the full range of options

• EV Buyer’s Guide: Under $65K
• EV Buyer’s Guide: $65K-$80K
• EV Buyer’s Guide: $80K-$100K

Best electric cars under $65,000

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Tesla Model 3

• $63,900 + on-road costs
• Mid-size sedan, 5 seats
• Single-motor RWD, 62.3kWh battery
• 491km range, 170kW fast charge

The Tesla Model 3 small sedan is our best-buy electric car, priced from $63,900 before on-road costs.

The entry-level rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Model 3 offers up to 491km of claimed range on the stricter WLTP testing cycle and can be recharged at up to 11kW AC and 170kW DC charging speeds with exclusive access to the convenient, albeit pricey, Tesla Supercharging network in Australia (for now).

Key features include a large 15-inch central infotainment system with built-in Google Maps and over-the-air (OTA) software update capabilities, minimalistic animal-free interior and a built-in all-round dashcam recorder.

The Model 3 RWD comes with a four-year/80,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty with the American company promising it’ll retain at least 70 per cent of its capacity in that period.

Tesla uses a condition-based servicing scheme, so the car will notify owners when specific parts need routine maintenance depending on the usage.

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BYD Atto 3

• $48,011 + on-road costs
• Small SUV, 5 seats
• Single-motor FWD, 60kWh
• 480km range, 80kW fast charge

The BYD Atto 3 small SUV is a highly recommended affordable EV, starting from $48,011 before on-road costs.

With one high-spec variant and two lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) Blade Battery size options, the entry Standard Range has up to 345km claimed driving range and is capable of charging at up to 11kW AC and 70kW DC rates.

The electric crossover offers a clever rotating 12.8-inch tablet touchscreen capable of OTA updates, 360-degree camera system, and full LED head- and tail-lights with sequential indicators at the rear as standard.

The Atto 3 is covered by a six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty (with specific parts exclusions) and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty with a guarantee it’ll keep at least 70 per cent health during that period. The electric car requires servicing every 12 months/20,000km on the standard tier or 12 months/12,000km for the first five years if owners opt for the light tier.

Best electric cars $65K-80K

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Kia EV6

• $72,590 + on-road costs
• Large SUV, 5 seats
• Single-motor RWD, 77.4kWh battery
• 528km range, 350kW fast charge

The Kia EV6 continues to reign supreme as our 2022 Wheels Car of the Year winner and best buy electric car starting from $72,590 before on-road costs.

The base Air model is the most efficient in the four-prong line-up, offering up to 528km claimed range and can recharge at up to 10.5kW AC and 250kW DC using an 800-volt class charging architecture.

The medium crossover boasts dual curved 12.3-inch displays with wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, a sleek full-width LED tail light, and exterior vehicle-to-load (V2L) as standard.

The EV6 comes with a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year/150,000km battery warranty. Servicing is required every 12 months/15,000km.

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Tesla Model Y

• $68,900 + on-road costs
• Medium SUV, 5 seats
• Single-motor RWD, 60kWh battery
• 455km range, 210kW fast charge

The ubiquitous Tesla Model Y is a highly recommended electric SUV priced from $72,300 before on-road costs.

There’s two trim levels available in Australia with the base RWD providing up to 455km of claimed range and can charge up to 11kW AC and 170kW DC charging speeds. Like all Tesla’s, it has exclusive access to the Tesla Supercharging network in Australia (for now).

Key features include a large 15-inch central infotainment system with built-in Google Maps and OTA software update capabilities, a fixed panoramic glass roof and a power tailgate.

The Model Y RWD comes with a four-year/80,000km vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty with the company promising it’ll retain at least 70 per cent of its capacity in that period. Tesla adopts a condition-based servicing scheme, so the car will notify owners when specific parts need routine maintenance.

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Hyundai Ioniq 5

• $69,900 + on-road costs
• Large SUV, 5 seats
• Single-motor RWD, 72.6kWh battery
• 481km range

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a highly recommended medium electric crossover priced from $72,000 before on-road costs directly rivalling the Tesla Model Y.

Buyers can choose from three variants, but the entry Dynamiq RWD has the longest range at up to 507km and can be recharged at up to 10.5kW AC and 350kW DC speeds using a 800-volt class architecture.

Sharing the same dedicated EV platform as the Kia EV6, the Ioniq 5 features twin 12.3-inch white-bezelled displays with wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, an augmented reality heads-up display, and auto pop-out flush door handles as standard.

All Ioniq 5s are covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty. The electric crossover needs servicing every 24 months/30,000km.

Comparisons

Best Electric Cars, $65k-80k: Australia's premium EVs tested

In part two of our three price-based EV buying guides, we compare Australia's electric cars priced between $65,000 and $80,000

2 days ago

Best electric cars $80K-100K

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BMW i4

• $99,900 + on-road costs
• mid-size sedan
• single-motor RWD, 84kWh battery
• 520km range, 200kW fast charge

The BMW i4 liftback is our best buy electric car priced from $99,900 before on-road costs.

Sold in two guises, the Tesla Model 3 competitor in its base eDrive40 variant provides up to 520km claimed range with the ability to charge at up to 11kW AC and 200kW DC rates on a compatible charger.

The German EV is based on the petrol-powered BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. It features curved 14.9-inch infotainment and 12.3-inch driver’s digital displays running the brand’s latest iDrive 8 operating system with wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto, IconicSounds Electric artificial driving noises, and a five-year unlimited charging subscription to the Chargefox network.

The i4 is backed by a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty. BMW uses a condition-based servicing scheme, so the car will notify owners when specific parts need routine maintenance depending on the usage.

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Volvo C40 Recharge

• $82,490 + on-road costs
• small SUV
• dual-motor AWD, 75kWh battery
• 420km range, 155kW fast charge

The Volvo C40 Recharge is a highly recommended EV starting from $74,990 before on-road costs.

The electric coupe SUV is based on the boxier XC40 and is offered in two models. The entry single-motor, front-wheel drive boasts up to 540km claimed range and can recharge at up to 11kW AC and 133kW DC.

Key features include a 9-inch portrait touchscreen running on Google’s Android Automotive operating system with a 12.3-inch driver instrument display, unique segmented LED tail lights with sequential indicators, and a hands-free power tailgate as standard.

The C40 Recharge is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year battery warranty. Servicing visits are required every 24 months/30,000km with the first three-years/100,000km included for free.

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Mercedes-Benz EQB

• $87,800 + on-road costs
• medium SUV
• single-motor FWD, 66.5kWh battery
• 371km range, 100kW fast charge

The Mercedes-Benz EQB is a highly recommended luxury electric family SUV priced from $87,800 before on-road costs.

With two trim grades on offer, it can drive up to 507km and charge at up to 11kW AC and 100kW DC speeds.

Only the base EQB 250 model can be optioned up as a third-row seven-seater – not available in any new EV currently on sale – with dual 10.25-inch screens capable of wired Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, 64-colour ambient lighting, and adaptive suspension as standard.

The EQB has a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty. The electric car needs routine servicing every 12 months/25,000km with prepaid servicing plans available.

Comparisons

Best Electric Cars, $80k-100k: Luxury EVs tested

This is part three of our price-based EV buying guide, comparing Australia's electric cars priced between $80,000 and $100,000

2 hours ago

EVs in 2023 and beyond

A plethora of new electric cars are coming to Australia in the coming years on the back of supply chain delays.

From affordable entrants like the MG 4 and GWM Ora Funky Cat small hatchbacks to lower the EV price barrier, to flagships like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Volvo EX90, plus even electric commercial vans like the Renault Kangoo E-Tech and Ford e-Transit, the competition in Australia is about to get spicier.

After legislating tax breaks for company fleets, the Australian Government will put ‘fuel-efficiency standards’ next on the agenda – a critical policy that will encourage more EV models to land in Australia (with more supply) and ultimately drive down price tags.

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While electric cars are still more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel cars today (mostly), the savings obtained from cheaper running and maintenance costs will eventually offset and surpass the price premium over time – especially if you take advantage of charging off of free solar energy at home or even emerging vehicle-to-grid (V2G) tech.

And with soaring fuel prices and looming strict emissions, fuel economy and noise regulations like Euro 7 overseas, the case for internal combustion engine vehicles is becoming increasingly narrow – for carmakers and car buyers.

Find our other stories in this series

• EV Buyer’s Guide: Under $65K
• EV Buyer’s Guide: $65K-$80K
• EV Buyer’s Guide: $80K-$100K

⚡ More EV stories to help you choose the best car for your needs