The top 10 fully electric cars in Australia

Now with the popularity of fully electric cars (EVs) gaining momentum, there’s a lot more choice for those who want to find a quality full electric car in Australia. 

Not only are some of the biggest automakers from around the world starting to release headline EV offerings with more competitive pricing, but we’re starting to see updated or even second-generation versions of cars which set the stage for the popularity electric cars are now enjoying.

So here is our list of the Top 10 Best Full Electric Cars in Australia, now updated for 2024. We’ve included cars here for a host of reasons, including value, range, packaging, and innovation, so there should be something across many brands to suit your needs, tastes, and budget.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is priced from $61,900.

For many buyers Tesla’s Model 3 is the electric car to have, and it’s not hard to see why. Our first fully electric car on this list, Tesla’s global smash-hit EV is great value with a solid driving range, but this updated version which arrived late in 2023 came with a host of improvements to address issues with the original version. In fact, this mid-life upgrade is some 50 per cent new.

It includes new suspension to soften the hard ride quality and a raft of material and acoustic upgrades to improve cabin ambiance, as well as more comfortable seats. While this new version also came with a slight price hike, there’s never been a better Model 3 to buy.

MG4

Download the EVGuide Report, 2022

Australia's one-stop snapshot of all things relating to electric cars.

Download for free

The MG4 is priced from $38,990.

While MG has captured the increasingly abandoned low-cost sector of the market with its combustion range, its electric cars have also helped bring the entry price down for those ready to make the switch away from hydrocarbons.

Although competition has increased in this space with the arrival of the BYD Dolphin and the GWM Ora, the MG4 continues to offer stellar value thanks to its generous packaging, stylish hatchback visage, as well as a long driving range and pleasant driving dynamics which were never a feature of the preceding ZS EV courtesy of a new spacious rear-wheel drive platform.

Hyundai Kona electric

The Hyundai Kona Electric is priced from $54,000.

Hyundai’s fully electric Kona quietly entered the fray against Tesla’s Model 3 and Nissan’s Leaf a few years ago and has consistently been tweaked to remain a superb value option. It’s not the cheapest, fastest, nor packed with the best tech, but maintains a carefully curated balance of price, driving range, and familiarity in a tough full electric SUV market.

This has only been improved on with the second-generation 2024 version, which continues to bring the price down alongside tweaks to its platform, batteries, and electric motors, keeping it well worth your consideration against some other options on this list.

Polestar 2

The Polestar 2 is priced from $67,400.

When Swedish Volvo spin-off Polestar announced its launch in Australia, even here at CarsGuide we were expecting another premium play with tall asking prices. It came as a shock to the system when the entry-model was priced to take the fight directly to Tesla’s popular Model 3, backed with innovative Scando design, long range, and great cabin tech.

The updated model, which arrived late in 2023, only improved on this formula further, with a surprise shift to rear-wheel drive and suspension upgrades to address some of our major gripes with the original version. It even gets more driving range and a big increase in standard active safety equipment.

Porsche Taycan

The Porsche Taycan is priced from $164,400. (Image: Tom White)

The price is substantial, but the Porsche Taycan is proof the German sports car giant will still have plenty to offer once the combustion engine reaches its expiry date. Mind-bending dynamics, great range, as well as the choice of GT (fastback) or Cross Turismo (wagon) body styles should keep Porsche front of mind in the EV era.

BMW iX

The BMW iX is priced from $130,900. (Image: Tim Nicholson)

BMW was an early mover in embracing electric car technology with the flawed but interesting i3. The iX is the expression of everything the Bavarian automaker has learned from its head start to offer a stunning electric flagship with stellar driving range and the driving dynamics to back the badge.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is priced from $65,000. (Image: Glen Sullivan)

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a visual spectacle, losing so little from the cyberpunk-inspired ‘45’ concept car from which it's derived, but it’s this car’s incredible platform and 800V architecture which sets it apart. It represents one of the few vehicles which is future-proofed for when ultra-fast charging is a more common reality. Updates in late 2023 have only made the Ioniq 5 more competitive on price.

Kia EV9

The Kia EV9 is priced from $97,000. (Image: Tom White)

Kia’s EV9 might be the first mainstream vehicle from the Korean brand to hit the $100K mark, but it somehow manages to feel great value thanks to its stellar design, excellent build quality, semi-luxury feel and surprisingly adept driving dynamics. 

On top of that it also manages to offer every EV feature under the sun and solid driving range, making it much more than just one of the only large electric SUVs on the market.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

The Volvo CX40 Recharge is priced from $76,990. (Image: Tom White)

The Volvo XC40 Recharge pure EV is the luxury small SUV answer to the Hyundai Kona Electric. Offering great range and good charging specs, the XC40 also manages to maintain all the attributes which have made it shoot to the number one spot in the premium small SUV space.

The XC40 will continue to serve as the backbone of the Swedish brand’s electrification efforts until the new-generation EX30 and EX90 arrive, as it hurtles toward its goal of being an EV-only auto brand in Australia by 2026.

BYD Atto 3

The BYD Atto 3 is priced from $48,011. (Image: Tom White)

Knocking the Nissan Leaf off our list for 2024 is the BYD Atto 3. Representing excellent value as one of the most affordable electric cars in Australia, the Atto 3 also impresses with its just-right dimensions, decent driving range, and its unusual approach to interior design.

With this car alone, BYD has managed to outperform Skoda, Renault, and Volvo in Australia, and with the even more affordable Dolphin and Model 3-rivalling Seal now on sale, expect big things from this brand in 2024 and beyond.

Coming soon

Looks like the first proper two-door electric sports coupe to hit the market in Australia will be from the China-backed MG.

There are some yet-to-arrive EVs which might make a big impact on this list in the future - here are the top ones to keep your eye on:

Toyota bZ4X – Delay-after-delay mean that by the time Toyota’s first dedicated electric car arrives in Australia it should be an improved version of the car which arrived to lacklustre reviews in other markets…

Audi Q4 e-tron – The Q4 e-tron could be the car to make a dent in the Volvo XC40’s dominance of the premium electric small SUV space with its generous dimensions, sleek design, and availability of SUV and Coupe body styles.

Chery Omoda 5 EV – Chery is on the warpath in Australia, looking to steal some of the affordable EV glory from MG and BYD. Will the electric version of its Omoda 5 small SUV have what it takes?

Volvo EX30 – Volvo’s next small SUV is dressed to impress with a next-generation evolution of the brand’s suave design language, also promising excellent value, even better than that of the popular XC40.

Volkswagen ID.3/ID.4 – After significant delays, Volkswagen’s ID range is set to finally arrive in Australia promising solid value with mid-range prices, the expected Euro driving dynamics, as well as our first proper taste of VW’s next-gen design and technology.

MG Cyberster – Looks like the first proper two-door electric sports coupe to hit the market in Australia will be from the China-backed MG. We know the brand has been a hero for electric value, but can it reclaim its former glory as a purveyor of proper driving machines? We’ll find out in 2024 if this car’s launch schedule goes to plan.

There are many more electric cars set to arrive over the course of 2024 - check out our more comprehensive list here.

Other brands to watch in the future

Volvo will have a full range of electric cars to usurp its combustion and hybrid range by 2030.

Mercedes full electric cars – There’s more to come than just the E and S from Benz’ EQ brand, including an electrified G Wagen.

Toyota full electric cars – Beyond the bZ4X Toyota is looking to get serious about its fully electric push, showing a range of electric concepts from sports cars to utes.

Audi full electric cars – After the launch of the Q4 e-tron, Audi’s follow-up will be the larger Q6 e-tron, giving the brand a robust range of mid-size SUVs.

Skoda full electric cars – Skoda plans to bring its Enyaq EV to Australia in 2024, but it would be unsurprising to see a Skoda spin on the VW ID.3 hatch in the near future.

Volvo full electric cars – Volvo will have a full range of electric cars to usurp its combustion and hybrid range by 2030 - expect to see a mid-size SUV to replace the XC60, and there’s also the possibility of the EM90 people mover, although it’s China-only for now.

Kia full electric cars – The EV9 will soon be followed by a more affordable small SUV - the EV3, and the brand’s fresh take on a sedan in the form of the EV4. Kia has also promised an entire range of electric light commercial vans under its PBV (purpose built vehicle) program.

BMW full electric cars – BMW has already rolled out a wide range of EV offerings for much of its existing catalog - what’s next? The brand has trademarked iX6, iX7, iX8 and iX9 so take from that what you will.

Volkswagen full electric cars – The ID.3 and ID.4 hatch will be followed up by the ID. Buzz van and then a low-cost player, the Polo-sized ID.2.

Honda full electric cars – A laggard on the EV front in Australia, Honda’s focus has been on rolling out hybrid versions of its popular SUV range. Things could be set to change, but not until the mid-term, with the Japanese marque rolling out a slew of interesting BEV concepts.

Land Rover full electric SUVs – The flagship Range Rover is slated to go fully electric imminently, with further electric versions of popular nameplates planned.

Lexus full electric cars – Lexus had its own accompanying range of electric concepts to go with Toyota’s range, mainly focusing on sporty concepts.

Hyundai full electric cars – The Ioniq 7 will be the follow up to the Ioniq 5, with the further models likely to follow in the footsteps of Kia’s EV3, EV4, and EV5.

Peugeot fully electric cars – five new Peugeot EVs are due by 2025.

Porsche full electric – What’s next for Porsche after the Taycan? After the electric take on the Macan there looks to be a replacement for the 718 sports car. Watch this space.

Nissan full electric cars – If we ever see the Ariya in Australia it will be followed up by a Leaf-replacing small SUV probably built in the UK.

Subaru full electric cars – After the Solterra, Subaru has promised three more electric SUVs by 2026 and a further four more electric cars by 2028.