The best electric SUV in Australia for 2022 is the BYD Atto. While all the vehicles on the shortlist have their strengths, the BYD Atto 3 exhibited the best mix of performance, technology, and quality for the price.
Australia has a love affair with SUVs and for good reason. They offer a great mix of space and practicality, perfect for urbanite families who wheel about town with kids in tow and love the occasional road trip. The last decade has seen SUVs rise to the top of sales charts. Despite their popularity, it’s only been in the last 12 months we’ve seen enough electric SUVs to make a list like this. Read on to see our top picks.
1. BYD Atto 3
🥇 Overall Winner
✅ Where it shines: Amazing value for the combination of performance specs, technology and overall packaging.
❌ Where it could be better: The interior styling is quirky and may not to be everyone’s liking.
Overview
The BYD Atto 3 is a five-seater electric small SUV made in China. Priced from around $44,381 before on-road costs, it has up to 420km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and is front-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 7kW AC/80kW DC (depending on the variant) using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, PM2.5 air cabin filter, and more as standard.
The Atto 3 is covered by a six-year/150,000km vehicle warranty (with specific parts exclusions) and eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.
The BYD Atto 3 offers exceptional value for money in a package that could easily be easily priced ten thousand dollars more.
BYD Atto 3 Key Specifications
2. Tesla Model Y
📱 Best Technology
✅ Where it shines: Class-leading technology, space and the expansive SuperCharger Network.
❌ Where it could be better: The ‘minimalist’ interior is very basic compared to its peers.
Overview
The Tesla Model Y is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in China. Priced from $72,300 before on-road costs, it has up to 514km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and is available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 11kW AC/250kW DC (depending on the variant) using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring a 15-inch infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, built-in dashcam recording, and more as standard.
The Model Y is covered by a four-year/80,000km vehicle warranty and a eight-year/160,000km or eight-year/192,000km battery warranty (depending on the variant).
It's hard to look past the compelling package that the Tesla Model Y has to offer class-leading: technology, space and SuperCharger network.
Tesla Model Y Key Specifications
3. MG ZS EV
💰 Best Value
✅ Where it shines: The base model MG ZS EV is the cheapest electric car in the market but has plenty to offer.
❌ Where it could be better: The interior while improved is still basic.
Overview
The MG ZS EV is a five-seater electric small SUV made in China. Priced from $43,990 before on-road costs, it has up to 320km of claimed driving range, one battery pack size, and is front-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 11kW AC/80kW DC using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring a 10.1-inch rotating infotainment display, select active safety assistance systems, MG iSmart remote mobile app, and more as standard.
The ZS EV is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle and battery warranty.
The refreshed MG ZS EV is a compelling value proposition, priced from $44,990 driveaway, it makes for a great urban run about vehicle. It is one of the best affordable electric SUVs you can buy.
MG ZS EV Key Specifications
4. Hyundai Ioniq 5
😎 Best Looking
✅ Where it shines: Unique but stunning exterior and interior complimented but class leading fit and finish
❌ Where it could be better: Almost impossible to get a hold of one
Overview
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $69,900 before on-road costs, it has up to 481km of claimed driving range, one battery pack size, and is available in rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 11kW AC/233kW DC using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, an electric tailgate, and more as standard.
The Ioniq 5 is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.
The Ioniq 5 is a beautifully packaged head-turning electric SUV. If only Hyundai made more available in Australia!
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 AWD review
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Key Specifications
5. Kia EV6
📏 Best Range
✅ Where it shines: Unique futuristic looks supported by class-leading performance and range.
❌ Where it could be better: Almost impossible to get a hold of one
Overview
The Kia EV6 is a five-seater electric medium crossover made in South Korea. Priced from $72,590 before on-road costs, it has up to 528km of claimed driving range, one battery pack size, and is available in rear-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 10.5kW AC/240kW DC using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in three variants featuring a 12.3-inch infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, flush exterior door handles, and more as standard.
The EV6 is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year/150,000km battery warranty.
Sharing the same dedicated EV platform as the Ioniq 5, the Kia EV6 offers slightly better range, handling, and space. If only Kia made more available in Australia!
2022 Kia EV6 GT-Line AWD reviewKia EV6 Key Specifications
6. Kia Niro EV
✅ Where it shines: Great all-round package.
❌ Where it could be better: Pricing could be improved to better differentiate it from its peers.
Overview
The Kia Niro EV is a five-seater electric small SUV made in South Korea. Priced from $65,300 before on-road costs, it has up to 460km of claimed driving range, one battery pack size, and is front-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 11kW AC/84kW DC using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring an 8-inch infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, interior vehicle-to-load plug, and more as standard.
The Niro EV is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year/150,000km battery warranty.
The second generation Niro EV has everything you need in a family SUV: Practical, plenty of space and great range.
2023 Kia Niro EV GT-Line reviewKia Niro EV Key Specifications
The Kia Niro EV is a five-seater electric small SUV made in South Korea. Priced from $65,300 before on-road costs, it has up to 460km of claimed driving range, one battery pack size, and is front-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 11kW AC/84kW DC using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring an 8-inch infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, interior vehicle-to-load plug, and more as standard.
The Niro EV is covered by a seven-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and a seven-year/150,000km battery warranty.
The second generation Niro EV has everything you need in a family SUV: Practical, plenty of space and great range.
7. Volvo XC40 Recharge
✅ Where shines: Great all-round entry-level luxury SUV.
❌ Where it could be better: Available in limited quantities.
Overview
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is a five-seater electric small SUV made in China. Priced from $72,990 before on-road costs, it has up to 425km of claimed driving range, two battery pack sizes, and is available in front-wheel and all-wheel drive.
The electric car can be charged at up to 11kW AC/150kW DC (depending on the variant) using a Type 2/CCS2 port.
It is offered in two variants featuring a 9-inch infotainment display, active safety assistance systems, heat pump, and more as standard.
The XC40 Recharge is covered by a five-year, unlimited kilometre vehicle warranty and an eight-year battery warranty.
The XC40 is a good solid, all-round entry-level luxury SUV.
Volvo XC40 Key Specifications
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data. He is the founder of zecar and is currently the EV Innovation Manager at Endeavour Energy.
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