Best Electric Cars
Electrify your drive
The EV market is booming, with sales on a growth trajectory and new models arriving all the time. These are the best of the all-electric options on sale today.
There are now electric vehicles on offer from more manufacturers than not, bringing a sense of choice and scale to the EV market.
The specific electric car categories of Drive Car of the Year 2024 showcase cars for buyers looking for electric first and foremost, and cover everything from affordable to opulent.
If you want to park an EV in your driveway this year, these are the four best choices available.
Best Electric Vehicle under $50K
Affordable electric cars have taken a big step forward in recent months, with four cars now priced well-under the all-important $50,000 mark. In this category, judges looked for the best EV that presented as an excellent 'first-time' electric purchase, predominantly for an urban environment.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: MG 4
1 / 4MG fired the first salvo in the battle of ‘Australia’s most affordable electric car’ when it released the MG 4 late last year. The first EV under the psychological $40,000 barrier, the MG 4 has gone on to be a success for the Chinese brand, racking up 3134 sales to the end of 2023 since hitting local dealerships last August.
It’s easy to see why; the MG 4 is a capable, comfortable and compelling electric car that, when it went on sale initially, was priced at $38,990 before on-road costs. That’s for the entry-level Excite 51 model.
Read more about why the MG 4 won
Finalist: GWM Ora
2 / 4There’s no denying the cutesy factor of the GWM Ora, the Chinese brand’s small electric hatchback that squares off against the MG 4 and BYD Dolphin.
Read more about the GWM Ora
Finalist: BYD Dolphin
3 / 4The BYD Dolphin, which even at its most affordable level is packed with equipment and technology, is a good entry point into electric motoring.
Read more about the BYD Dolphin
Finalist: BYD Atto 3
4 / 4If BYD wants to trumpet its success, it need look no further than the sales record of its best-selling model, the Atto 3. Last year, the Chinese car giant sold 11,042 Atto 3s in Australia, a stunning amount on the back of competitive pricing and well-equipped specification.
Read more about the BYD Atto 3
Explore our Best Electric cars under $50K
Best Urban Electric Vehicle under $100K
The judges prioritised a committed EV buyer who is looking for a cutting-edge everyday car for this category, focusing on a mixture of capability and prestige.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Tesla Model 3
1 / 5The updates American manufacturer Tesla has made to its Model 3 have made an already well-accomplished electric vehicle that much better, and the Model 3 deserves its win as the Drive Car of the Year Best Urban Electric Vehicle Under $100,000.
To drive, the Model 3 is quick, comfortable, and quiet – the three greatest attributes that any EV-maker strives for.
Read more about why the Tesla Model 3 won
Finalist: BYD Seal
2 / 5We almost couldn’t include the new Chinese fighter in Drive Car of the Year due to its late-2023 launch, but our testing found the Seal an impressive prospect – especially regarding value for money.
Read more about the BYD Seal
Finalist: Cupra Born
3 / 5Spanish brand Cupra might be relatively new to the Australian market, but it’s already produced several Drive Car of the Year finalists. Its latest release is the Born electric hatchback which kickstarts the manufacturer’s journey to being all-electric by 2030.
Read more about the Toyota Yaris Cross
Finalist: Hyundai Ioniq 6
4 / 5Hyundai has earned an enviable position as a quality electric vehicle maker with the Ioniq 6, because its streamlined, aerodynamic bodywork heralds impressive benchmarks for electric vehicle efficiency and drag coefficient figures.
Read more about the Hyundai Ioniq 6
Finalist: BMW iX1
5 / 5BMW was quick to the electric vehicle game with its i3 small hatchback a decade ago and it’s taken the learnings from that model to produce an even more accomplished EV in the BMW iX1.
Read more about the BMW iX1
Explore our Best Urban Electric Vehicles under $100K
Best Family Electric Vehicle under $100K
In this category, judges took practicality and usability into account for families wanting to make a considered step toward electric transportation.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: Kia EV9
1 / 3It’s not often we ascribe game-changer status to a car, but the Kia EV9 is a vehicle that warrants the moniker.
Seven seats, a properly family-friendly interior, clever packaging, an impressive standard equipment list and a surprisingly large towing capacity – with an efficient, punchy, all-electric powertrain.
Read more about why the Kia EV9 won
Finalist: Kia EV6
2 / 3Landing in Australia in early 2022, the EV6 was quickly identified as offering an astounding amount of interior space and surprisingly practical packaging inside its streamlined, sporty exterior.
Read more about the Kia EV6
Finalist: Tesla Model Y
3 / 3Since hitting local shores, families, empty nesters and DINKs alike have snapped up this swoopy SUV in droves, swiftly rocketing the Model Y up the list of the top 10 best-selling cars in Australia for 2023.
Read more about the Tesla Model Y
Explore our Best Family Electric Vehicles under $100K
Best Luxury Electric Vehicle under $150K
For buyers wanting the best of what electrification can bring in both the technology and luxury worlds, judges focussed on refinement and capability to select the best in this category.
To see what vehicles were eligible, and how we arrived at the finalists, you can read all the details here.
Winner: BMW iX
1 / 3BMW took its time entering the luxury electric SUV fray but when it did, it arrived with an imposing and undeniably luxurious large SUV.
The BMW iX has all the hallmarks needed to crown it the 2024 DCOTY Best Luxury EV Under $150,000. From its sumptuous yet cutting-edge cabin design, to its healthy performance and supple and comfortable ride, the iX truly epitomises what the judges are looking for in a luxury electric car.
Read more about why the BMW iX won
Finalist: BMW i4
2 / 3There’s plenty to like about the BMW i4, the German brand’s electric sedan that shares much of its DNA with BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Read more about the BMW i4
Finalist: Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
3 / 3The Mercedes-Benz EQE range of electric vehicles has something for everyone. The EQE sedan mirrors the three-pointed star’s E-Class range of petrol-powered sedans while the EQE SUV is essentially an electric take on the brand’s GLE Class line-up of SUVs.
Read more about the Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV
Explore our Best Luxury Electric Vehicles under $150K
Electric Car Finder
Are you thinking about getting an electric car but not sure where to start? Try our Electric Car Finder.
