Best Electric Cars by Price, Size & Category in Aus

Late last year, Audi gave its large SUV range a freshen up by stocking its showrooms with the Q8 55 e-tron model; a rebadged, facelifted full-sized electric SUV designed to go head-to-head with things like the Mercedes-Benz EQE.As it turned out, the Q8 55 was destined to become the mid-spec model and now Audi has book-ended the Q8 range with the entry-level Q8 e-tron 50 and the flagship SQ8 e-tron.And while the previous 55 model was available in Sportback and SUV (station-wagon) forms, the latter has now been dropped.Read more about Audi2025 Audi Q6 e-tron electric car revealed as Porsche Macan sibling, but when will it come to Australia to take on Mercedes-Benz EQC and Lexus RZ?2025 Audi S3 hatchback and sedan updated with more power and performance tech to take on Mercedes-Benz A-Class and BMW 1 and 2 Series2024 Audi Q7 and SQ7 SUV updated, coming to tackle the BMW X5, Mercedes GLE and the Lexus RX in a premium SUV clashThat leaves the 50 model as an SUV only, while the headline act – and the vehicle we’re testing here – the SQ8 can be had in either body style.The reason we’re concentrating on the biggest, baddest, most expensive variant, is that’s precisely what Audi is tipping the Australian market will gravitate towards.In fact, as many as 70 per cent of Q8-platform sales could be the SQ8. That’s in line with the Australian market’s fondness for spending up big on the sportiest version of many makes and models, but it remains a bit of an anomaly in the rest of the car-buying world. Nevertheless, it remains the reason we’re focussing on that variant here.Of course, electrification has never been more important for a carmaker operating here since the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard was announced recently, and even though the Q8 range will be a small percentage of Audi’s sales here, any EV represent progress towards meeting corporate targets.

If you love Hyundai’s electric cars but want something a bit fancier, then the Genesis GV70 Electrified could be the SUV for you.Think of Genesis as Hyundai’s answer to Lexus, a luxury spin-off from a mainstream brand that undercuts the big shot German establishment.We’ve lived with the GV70 Performance Electrified for a month and we’ve started to gain an understanding of what the car is like to live with in the cut and thrust of city life.[read-more-default-title]Genesis launches Magma performance sub-brand: New Genesis GV60 Magma to lead new wave of BMW M and Mercedes-AMG-rivalling hot rodsGenesis Neolun concept revealed: Hyundai's luxury brand goes after Bentley Bentayga, BMW X7 and Range Rover with ultra-plush SUV that previews the 2025 Genesis GV90Genesis to target Lexus with hybrid car rollout, but is Hyundai's luxury arm cooling on EVs? - reportsFrom weekly shopping runs, daycare drop-off and pick-ups, daily work commutes and soul-sucking house hunting on weekends, we’ve covered it all.Genesis has made picking the right GV70 Electrified easy. There is only one variant, the fully loaded GV70 Performance priced from $126,475 (before on-road costs).That’s a lot of money in anyone’s book. There isn't any like for like competitor that provides the same performance in a luxury mid-size EV.Its more expensive than the similar-sized BMW iX3 ($104,900), but the iX3 lacks the punch and standard kit to match it with the Genesis, but it undercuts larger luxe models such as the Audi Q8 e-tron ($154,600) and the BMW iX ($130,900).The sticker price shock subdues even more when you look at the vehicle’s bulging standard equipment list and eye-popping performance figures.It uses two electric motors to deliver 360kW and 700Nm to all four wheels. That’s good enough to propel the big unit to 100km/h from a standstill in 4.8 seconds. That figure drops to 4.2 seconds when using the boost button that unleashes the vehicles maximum outputs for short spurts.Unfortunately in Sydney, doing the previously mentioned tasks, there is no way to hit those maximums but it's nice to know the GV70 can surprise a few of the old guard petrol cars at the traffic light Grand Prix.The GV70 has a strong linear acceleration with adequate throttle application, if you mash the pedal all the way to the floor it can throw you back in your seat.Its all-wheel-drive grip keeps it composed, especially in wet weather, where it always feels controlled and purposeful.The GV70 is a hefty unit, it weighs 2310kg and it feels it on the road. Its suspension can struggle to control its weight, especially on pockmarked Sydney roads where it wobbles a lot.That weight counts against it in the bends too. It doesn't like quick changes of direction, which results in significant body roll.We’ll need to go a long country commute to find out the full extent of its driving capabilities in the coming months.An ace up the GV70’s sleeve is it’s one of the fastest charging electric cars on the market.It can pump a claimed 350kW of juice back into its 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery.Genesis claims that’ll fill the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 18 minutes.We were unable to put that claim to the test as the only 350kW charger nearby was out of commission when we attempted to recharge.Instead we connected the GV70 to a 75kW charger several times in a nearby shopping centre. It held the max rate of charge until it reached 80 per cent and filled the battery from about 20 to 80 per cent in roughly 40 minutes.It's a seamless process topping up the GV70. You simply park with your nose to the charger and press the charging flap in the front grille to reveal the port, plug in the charger and let the kW flow.Genesis includes the installation of a 7.2kWh home wallbox charger, which will replenish the car to 100 per cent overnight.If you plug it into a domestic power point you’ll be waiting more than a day to fully top up the battery.Genesis claims the GV70 Electrified has a driving range of up to 455km and uses 19.9kWh per 100km. In our roughly 500km of driving it used 23.6kWh/100km and its indicated driving range was closer to 380km.Inside Genesis shows off its luxury chops.Nappa leather-appointed seats are cosy and comfortable and the front pair’s 18-way power adjustment means there’s a seating position for every shape and size.Heated and ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel dial up the pampering even further.A power tailgate can be opened with the smart key or via a button on the rear windscreen wiper.It grants access to a generous boot that can swallow the weekly shop and all the bags for a weekend away. There is also a small space under the bonnet.There is a 14.5-inch multimedia display that has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring and inbuilt sat-nav.This is paired with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a head-up display that projects vital information such as travelling speed and safety warnings onto the windscreen in front of the driver.Multiple USB charging ports and a wireless charger will make sure all the family’s devices keep running.A panoramic sunroof gives the cabin a light and airy feeling and it opens at the touch of a button.So far the GV70 Electrified has impressed me with its cabin and the genuine luxury feel of the vehicle. Its drive experience hasn’t been up to scratch with its luxury competition but a more thorough investigation is needed.Next month it's time to pack up the family and head up the coast to see how the Genesis handles itself away from the traffic and to find out if EVs make sense when fast chargers are harder to come by.Acquired: April, 2024Distance travelled this month: 521kmOdometer: 3898kmAverage energy consumption this month: 23.6kWh/100km

Long before Tesla EVs, there were electric golf buggies.From the first half of last century, they began quietly ferrying birdie and eagle enthusiasts around their favourite courses.For many, these have been their first (and only) experience of electric vehicles (EVs) at work.[read-more-default-title]Ford Mustang won't go electric says CEO of iconic V8 sports car... aside from the brand's electric car rival to the Tesla Model Y, the Mustang Mach-E - reportFord "almost pulled out of Australia": CEO - How the new Ford Ranger ute saved the Blue Oval from the same fate as Holden Down UnderHow Ford took on Toyota and won: Why the Ranger 'gamble' hit the jackpotNow, the blue-collared Blue Oval mob has this – the all-new E-Transit Custom.Designed to take on other electric mid-sized vans such as the LDV eDeliver7, Peugeot E-Expert and the Mercedes-Benz Vito Electric, it is the brand’s second – and more affordable – foray into van electrification.Does the E-Transit Custom score above par? Let’s dive straight in!