Best Electric Sedans Under $80,000

💰 Best Value and Performance

The BYD Seal range offers exceptional value for money and blistering performance.

Overview

Price: The BYD Seal electric sedan is priced between $49,888 and $68,748 before on-road costs. There are three main variants available, each catering for a distinct use case.

Performance: The BYD Seal offers different battery and motor configurations. The Dynamic variant features a single motor RWD with a 61.44kWh battery. The Premium variant also has a single motor (but more powerful) RWD but with a larger 82.5kWh battery. The Performance variant boasts a dual-motor AWD setup with the same 82.5kWh battery as the Premium. The Performance model can accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 3.8 seconds.

Range: Depending on the variant, the BYD Seal provides a claimed WLTP driving range of between 460km to 570km. The Dynamic variant offers a range of 460km, the Premium variant offers 570km, and the Performance variant provides a range of 520km.

Charging: The Dynamic variant of the BYD Seal charges at 7kW AC (single phase) or 110kW DC via a CCS 2 connector. The Premium variant offers faster DC charging at 150kW, while the AC charging remains at 7kW. The Performance variant retains the same charging capabilities as the Premium variant.

Key Features: The BYD Seal comes equipped with features such as a 15.6-inch Android 10 based rotating touchscreen, over-the-air (OTA) software updates, CarPlay, an energy-efficient heat pump, PM2.5 air filter, and a plethora of safety and premium features. The Performance variant also includes BYD's iTAC system (Intelligent Torque Adaption Control) and additional performance hardware.

➡️MORE: 2024 BYD Seal Price and Specs: Tesla Model 3 Competitor Launches Down Under

📱 Best Technology and Charging Experience

It's hard to look past the compelling package that the updated Tesla Model 3 has to offer, class-leading: technology, space and Supercharger network.

Overview

Price: The 2024 Tesla Model 3 'Highland' edition is priced from $61,900 to $71,900 before on-road costs in Australia. The standard range RWD is priced at $61,900, while the Long Range variant is priced at $71,900. Pricing for the Performance variant is yet to be confirmed.

Performance: The Tesla Model 3 offers different drivetrain configurations. based on the variant. The RWD variant features a single-motor setup, while the Long Range variant boasts a more powerful dual-motor setup. The Performance variant's details are still pending.

Range: The updated 2024 Tesla Model 3 offers a claimed WLTP driving range of between 513 km to 629 km, depending on the variant. The RWD variant provides a range of 513 km, the Long Range variant offers up to 629 km, and the range for the Performance variant is yet to be detailed.

Charging: The RWD variant of the Model 3 uses a lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery and can recharge at up to 170kW DC. In contrast, the Long Range variant uses a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery pack and can charge at up to 250kW DC speeds, with a recommendation to limit charging to 90%.

Key Features: The 2024 Tesla Model 3 introduces a sleeker design with improved aerodynamics. Key features include a 15.4-inch central infotainment system with over-the-air software update capabilities, a new 8.0-inch rear passenger touchscreen, improved material quality in the interior, redesigned dashboard, ambient lighting, and a range of safety and technology features. The Long Range variant also boasts an upgraded sound system with 17 speakers.

💺 Best Interior

The Polestar 2's interior is the best combination of Swedish style, minimalism and technology.

Overview

Price: The refreshed Polestar 2 is priced between $67,400 and $85,400 before on-road costs. There are three configurations available: Standard Range Single Motor priced at $67,400, Long Range Single Motor priced at $71,400, and Long Range Dual Motor priced at $76,400.

Performance: The 2024 Polestar 2 offers different drivetrains and battery sizes. The Standard Range Single Motor has switched to rear-wheel drive and boasts a quicker 6.4-second 0-100km/h time. The Long Range Single Motor also switched to rear-wheel drive and has a 6.2-second 0-100km/h time. The Long Range Dual Motor offers all-wheel drive, outputs up to 10kW/800Nm, and has a 4.2-second 0-100km/h acceleration time.

Range: Depending on the variant, the Polestar 2 EV provides a claimed WLTP driving range of between 532km to 654km. The new battery chemistry and improvements have contributed to this extended range.

Charging: All variants of the Polestar 2 have undergone improvements in their charging capabilities. The Standard Range Single Motor now supports up to 135kW DC fast charging, while both the Long Range Single Motor and Dual Motor support up to 205kW DC fast charging.

Key Features: The Polestar 2 comes equipped with a range of features including an 11.15-inch touchscreen running Google’s Android Automotive OS, wireless Apple CarPlay, blind-spot assist, rear cross-traffic assist, a 360-degree camera system, and Qi wireless charging pad. Additionally, the car offers various option packs, such as the Pilot Pack and Plus Pack, which add features like adaptive cruise control, pixel adaptive LED headlights, and a fixed panoramic glass roof.

➡️MORE: 2024 Polestar 2 price and specs: Major refresh for Tesla rival

☕ Most Comfortable

The Ioniq 6 is a head-turning sporty electric sedan. The spacious, lounge like interior and comfortable ride makes for an enjoyable cruising car.

Overview

Price: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric sedan is priced between $74,000 and $88,000 before on-road costs. There are three main variants available: Dynamiq RWD, Techniq AWD, and Epiq AWD, with the Dynamiq RWD priced at $74,000, Techniq AWD at $83,500, and Epiq AWD at $88,000.

Performance: The Hyundai Ioniq 6 is designed to rival popular electric vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2. It offers different drivetrain options, with the Dynamiq RWD featuring a single rear-mounted motor and the Techniq/Epiq AWD variants boasting a dual-motor setup.

Range: The Ioniq 6 EV provides a claimed WLTP driving range of up to 614km. This is attributed to its aerodynamic body shape and a lower 0.21 aerodynamic drag coefficient, allowing it to offer between 65 to 107km more driving range than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 crossover.

Charging: The electric sports sedan can charge at speeds of up to 10.5kW AC and 350kW DC using its advanced 800-volt class architecture. Hyundai claims that, with a compatible public EV station, the Ioniq 6 can rapid charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes via its Type 2/CCS2 port.

Key Features: The Ioniq 6 comes equipped with a range of features including a 12.3-inch infotainment system with over-the-air software updates, Bluelink internet connectivity, mobile app, adaptive matrix LED headlights, and Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability standard on all variants. Additionally, the car offers a plethora of safety and technology features, such as front auto emergency braking, lane change assist, blind-spot assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

➡️MORE 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 price and specs: Long range Model 3 rival now in Oz