The best electric cars in Australia in 2024 between $100,000 and $150,000

January 16, 2024January 16, 2024 Bruce Newton 4648 Views Best Electric Cars $100k to $150k

Australia’s electric vehicle ranks are only getting more and more crowded, with new options seemingly arriving daily from the big prestige marques like BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, as well as more mainstream brands like Kia.

So to help you make your buying decision, our experts have ranked the best electric cars on sale costing between $100,000 and $150,000.

Kia EV9 Earth – $106,500

The long-awaited Kia EV9 has at last landed in Australia, with the sizeable three-row, seven-seat SUV putting family friendly electric motoring squarely on the table. It’s big, boxy and stuffed full of tech, and — in its flagship GT-Line grade — is faster than most petrol-powered hot hatches.

But we reckon the mid-tier Earth might be the pick of the bunch. It gets the same battery and powertrain as the GT-Line, but delivers slower acceleration because it misses out on the flagship’s “Acceleration Boost” function. It does travel a little further between charges, though, with a WLTP range of 512kms.

Bigger, bolder and more premium than any Kia before it, there’s little doubting the EV9 was a risk for the Korean everyman brand. But on first impressions, it appears a well-calculated one, and one that proves electric family friendly electric motoring has well and truly arrived.

Read more: EV Central’s Kia EV9 Review

Genesis GV60 AWD – $106,375

Genesis GV60 Performance AWD has strong accleration.

Despite being modest in size the GV60 is not shy when it comes to charging the full whack for its features. Based on the same E-GMP architecture and powertrains as the cheaper and larger Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6 (and Kia EV6 for that matter), the GV60 attempts to redress the balance with a luxurious interior and a specification that includes a heap of comfort and technical specification. It helps that the GV60 drives nicely too, courtesy of a dual e-motor powertrain that makes 234kW and 605Nm. A 77.4kWh battery delivers a claimed 470km range.

Genesis GV60 AWD Performance – $113,375

While the GV60 AWD Performance shares many features with the GV60 AWD, there are some important additions that justify the steeper price tag. They include more power and torque – punched up to 320kW and 605Nm – and a Boost button on the steering wheel that increases it even further – to 360kW/700Nm – for 10 seconds when pressed. It’s actually a bit of a gimmick, but a fun one. The GV60 AWD Performance also includes an adaptive suspension system that reads the road ahead and pre-prepares for impacts.

Read more: EV Central’s Genesis GV60 review

BMW i4 eDrive40 – $102,900

The BMW i4 eDrive40 shares its body with the 4-Series Gran Coupe (ie a four-door sedan with a sloping roofline), but replaces the oily bits with batteries and electric motors. In the case of the eDrive40 there is a single powerful e-motor driving the rear wheels combined with an 85kWh battery pack that delivers a 0-100 acceleration time of 5.7 seconds and a range of 520km. That impressive combo allies with typically sure BMW sports sedan handling to deliver an enjoyable driving package.

BMW i4 M50 xDrive – $133,900

The BMW i4 M50 xDrive is how you get hold of BMW M3 or M4 performance without the hydrocarbons. Housed underneath the ICE-powered BMW 4 series’ Gran Coupe four-door body is a dual e-motor all-wheel drive powertrain that generates 400kW and 795Nm in Sport Boost mode and a 3.9 sec 0-100km/h dash. And thanks to that endearing e-motor trait of dumping max torque at tip-in throttle, the M50 feels even faster than that! Where the M50 veers away a little from the M3 and M4 is in its ride and handling, which is intended to be more rounded, albeit still sporting.

Read more: EV Central’s BMW i4 review

BMW iX XDrive 40 – $130,900

The iX is BMW’s first bespoke electric vehicle since the i3. A large luxury SUV, it is a family of dual e-motor all-wheel drive powertrains. Even as the entry model, the iX XDrive 40 includes a 240kW/630Nm powertrain, a 77kWh battery pack and a claimed range up to 420km. The drive experience is balanced and responsive, but this is also a big and heavy vehicle and you can never escape that. Inside, the iX is a techno tour de force with its massive, curved display comprising 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch screens dominating thew dashboard.

Read more: EV Central’s BMW iX review

Genesis Electrified GV70 – $126,475

The GV70 is one of those cross-breed EVs that stuff electric powertrains under bodies shared with ICE bodies. In this case, the GV70 Electrified uses the same large luxury SUV sheetmetal as the orthodox GV70, but underneath you’ll find a dual e-motor powertrain worth 320kW/605Nm and a 77.4kWh battery with a claimed 445km range. Stuffed with gear and draped in either, the GV70 Electrified does its best to sell the luxury message. Perhaps, surprisingly, it’s the driving side of it which is more compelling and convince more people this Korean newcomer is worth the money.

Read more: EV Central’s Genesis GV70 review

Genesis Electrified G80 – $145,675

A large and luxurious four-door sedan that trades in its ICE for a dual-motor all-wheel drive set-up, the Genesis Electrified G80 is one for lovers of both tradition and a bit of new-age tech. The price is high compared to its ICE siblings, but the amount of equipment on offer is exceptional. However, draping an orthodox body over the same mechanicals as the likes of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 does compromise rears eat and boot room a tad. From the driver’s seat though it’s smooth and swift transport, aided by a claimed 520km range and swift recharging capability.

BMW iX3 M Sport Pro – $104,900

When BMW first got into the electric vehicle segment it presented us with the unorthodox i3. But with the iX3 it goes in the opposite direction, placing electrical powertrain gubbins underneath a body almost identical to the X3 ICE SUV. Initially launched as one model, BMW split the iX3 five-seat SUV range in two for 2024, with the M Sport Pro still $10,000 cheaper than the original, but retaining much of the equipment. That made it better value than before, while retaining decent driving manners. Built in China, the iX3 uses a single e-motor powertrain driving the rear wheels and an 80kWh battery good for a 6.8 sec 0-100km/h time and a 460km claimed range.

Read more: EV Central’s BMW iX3 review

Mercedes-Benz EQB 350 4Matic – $106,700 (launch pricing 2022)

Based on the boxy ICE-powered GLB, the EQB was the third Mercedes-Benz electric car to arrive in Australia following the EQA and EQC. The 350 is the more expensive variant, but because of rear axle load limitations is only available as a five seater. The cheaper EQB 250 is offered with three rows of seating. Instead, the 350 distinguishes itself with a 215kW/520Nm dual e-motor powertrain that provides decent – if not outstanding performance. The claimed range is an underwhelming 360km based on the WLTP standard.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 – $134,900

The EQE 300 is a large four-door sedan that provides an EV alternative to the traditional Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan. The 300 is the cheapest model in the line-up and the only one with a single e-motor (driving the rear wheels), so that means acceleration performance is pedestrian. However, the range claim is the best of any EQE at 508km. On top of that you miss out on very little compared to the more expensive models when it comes to interior quality and equipment.

Mercedes-Benz EQE 300 SUV – $134,900

Like the EQE 300 sedan, the five-seat EQE 300 SUV is the sole single motor powertrain in the line-up. You can upgrade for $10,000 to the EQE 350 SUV. It gets pretty much the same equipment besides a dual e-motor powertrain. Anyway, the 300 SUV is a pretty decent effort, belying pretty average performance claims with a settled and responsive driving performance. But at this money most of us are looking for a bit more than that.

Lexus RZ450e Luxury – $121,675

The first bespoke EV entrant in the EV battle from Toyota’s luxury spin-off is in effect an upgraded Toyota bZ4X. It comes here without the squircle (squared circle) steering wheel also known as a yoke. Maybe in the future. The Luxury is the cheaper of two RZ450e models, but that doesn’t actually make it cheap. It is an expensive entrant considering it has neither startling performance or range, relying more on the quality of build to impress than anything else.

Lexus RZ450e Sports Luxury – $133,675

The first bespoke EV entrant in the EV battle from Toyota’s luxury spin-off is in effect an upgraded Toyota bZ4X. It comes here without the squircle (squared circle) steering wheel also known as a yoke. Maybe in the future. The Sports Luxury is the flagship among the two RZ450e models on offer and it has some exclusive equipment both models should get like ahead up display and memory buttons for the seats . It is an expensive entrant considering it has neither startling performance or range, relying more on the quality of build to impress than anything else. One for the Lexus true believers.

Read more: EV Central’s Lexus RZ450e review

LDV Mifa 9 Mode – $104,000

While it shares its name with the petrol-powered MIFA people mover, the MIFA 9 actually rides on a dedicated skateboard architecture where the bespoke battery pack and wheels form part of the chassis that is then attached to the body. All Mifa 9s come with a single e-motor, a 90kWh battery and a 440km claimed range. The Mode is the entry-level model and it comes with a 2-2-3 layout. A 2-3-3 layout is also potentially available.

Others

BMW iX XDrive 40 Sport – $136,900

Ford e-Transit – $104,990

Jaguar I-Pace SE EV400 – $147,475

Kia EV9 GT-Line – $121,000

LDV Deliver 9 Mid Roof – $116,537

LDV Deliver 9 High Roof – $118,537

LDV Mifa 9 Executive – $115,000

LDV Mifa 9 Luxe – $129,000

Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 SUV – $144,900

Mercedes-Benz eVito – $116,115