Best electric SUVs Australia 2026: Top 5 ranked

From budget-friendly options to premium long-range models, these are the electric SUVs that stand out in Australia right now.

5. Toyota bZ4X - the safe bet that finally makes sense

For a long time the Toyota bZ4X felt like an EV that was almost good enough. The facelift changes that.

A new 73kWh battery and an updated front motor bring the WLTP range to a claimed 591km for the front-wheel drive variant. In real-world testing around 500km is a realistic target - which now puts it in genuine contention with Chinese rivals it previously couldn't touch.

The cabin has been refreshed too with a new 14-inch touchscreen, dual wireless chargers and heated front seats now standard. Build quality remains typically Toyota - solid, considered and reassuringly conventional.

The suspension is firmer than some buyers will like, and the 452-litre boot is on the small side for the class. The AWD variant adds serious off-road capability via Subaru's X-Mode system, but it's expensive and range takes a hit.

View driveaway pricing and deals for the Toyota bZ4X.

Toyota's 10-year conditional battery warranty - the best in the segment - makes this a compelling long-term ownership proposition. If you want a familiar badge and rock-solid confidence, the bZ4X is the low-risk pick.

4. Geely EX5 - the budget standout that keeps getting better

When the Geely EX5 arrived in Australia early 2025, it undercut almost everything in the segment. The 2026 update has since addressed the software quirks and added a larger battery option - making an already strong value case even harder to argue with.

Drive-away pricing from around $45,000 puts the EX5 well below the Kia EV3, Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X. For that money you get a 68.4kWh battery, a 15.4-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, ventilated and massaging front seats on the Inspire and one of the plushest rear seat experiences in the class.

The EX5 is front-wheel drive, which limits dynamics on twisty roads, and the adaptive cruise control can be overly cautious - it backs off hard in bends. Apple CarPlay was absent at launch but has since been added via OTA update.

View driveaway pricing and deals for the Geely EX5.

The Geely isn't trying to be the most exciting EV on this list. It's trying to be the most accessible - and it mostly succeeds. If budget is the primary driver, this is your car.

3. Kia EV3 - class-leading range with a locally tuned chassis to match

The Kia EV3 does something most EVs at this price point don't: it drives well. Kia Australia's local chassis tune gives it a fluid, planted feel on the road that few competitors in this class can quite replicate.

The headline number is 604km of WLTP range from the Long Range Air variant. Even the mid-spec Earth Long Range claims 563km. That makes the EV3 the range king of affordable EVs in Australia, full stop.

Standard equipment is generous across the board. All variants get dual 12.3-inch displays, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and V2L capability. The GT-Line adds a head-up display and Harman Kardon audio.

The EV3 isn't perfect - there's no surround camera on any Australian-spec model, the base Air trim feels sparse inside and the GT-Line at $68,490 driveaway is pushing premium money. But the Earth Long Range is a genuine sweet spot: enough range, good kit and a drive quality that punches well above its weight.

View driveaway pricing and deals for the Kia EV3.

Kia's seven-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and strong dealer network seal the deal. This is the smart choice.

2. Tesla Model Y - still the benchmark, still the one to beat

Love it or hate it, the Tesla Model Y remains the standard by which every other electric SUV is judged. The Juniper update has only reinforced that position.

The ride is significantly more comfortable than the old car - Tesla claims a 22% reduction in road noise and it shows. The chassis feels tighter, more composed and better suited to Australian roads than any previous Model Y. The interior is cleaner too with a redesigned cabin, rear 8-inch touchscreen for passengers and improved refinement throughout.

The 15.4-inch central display is slick and responsive. Autopilot remains one of the most capable and user-friendly driver assist systems on the market. Real-world efficiency of 15.3kWh/100km from the RWD base model is excellent.

Where the Model Y still falls short: warranty is just four years and 80,000km - well below the Kia and Zeekr. And the driving character, while competent, remains clinical.

View driveaway pricing and deals for the Tesla Model Y.

The Model Y is still the EV most Australians should consider first. It's not perfect, but nothing else does the complete package quite as well - yet.

1. Zeekr 7X - this is the one

The Zeekr 7X is the most impressive electric SUV to arrive in Australia in years. It undercuts the Model Y on price, beats it on standard equipment and delivers a cabin that feels like it belongs in something costing twice as much.

From $57,900 before on-roads, the base RWD gets 19-inch wheels, a 16-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate, massaging and ventilated seats, a 36.2-inch head-up display (Long Range and above), and a surround-view camera as standard. The build quality and interior material quality genuinely rival cars at $90,000-plus.

The Performance AWD hits 100km/h in 3.8 seconds and supports up to 450kW DC fast charging - the fastest of any car on this list. Real-world efficiency of 18.9kWh/100km in the top-spec AWD is impressive given the performance on offer.

A few caveats: the air suspension on the Performance AWD can be unsettled at freeway speeds and the automatic doors on the top variant are a gimmick that doesn't always work cleanly. The RWD or Long Range RWD models avoid both issues - and are the ones we'd recommend.

View driveaway pricing and deals for the Zeekr 7X.

Zeekr backs it all with a five-year unlimited-kilometre warranty and five years of roadside assistance - beating Tesla's provisions comprehensively.

The Zeekr 7X is proof that Chinese brands are no longer just offering value - they're offering the full package. For most buyers, this is the one.

Our verdict

The electric SUV market in Australia has matured rapidly, and the gap between brands is closing fast. The Tesla Model Y remains the benchmark, but the Zeekr 7X is the standout - offering more features, stronger value and a genuinely premium experience for less money.