Best electric cars of 2024

Electric car growth may have slowed, but sales are still growing – and the competition for the electrified dollar is hotter than ever.

As we celebrate World EV day it’s made our Best EV 2024 more hard fought than ever.

With brands like Tesla still dominating sales, brands like Renault, Toyota, Ford and Zeekr have joined established EV makers like Hyundai, Kia, BMW and Volvo in market with a variety of models meaning more competition and sharper pricing. A win-win for consumers.

All of which made it tough to settle on finalists to determine the Best EV of 2024.

We’ve delved into the data and revisited our reviews to help us assemble the best of the best. Think of it as your ultimate guide to the fast paced - and high tech - EV world.

We’ve covered off some myths and top asked questions about EVs for those keen to dive into the electrified car world.

Mid-sized SUVs are where so many car makers focus their efforts because it’s where so many of the buyers gravitate to.

No surprise then, that it’s also been at the heart of the electric car expansion, something due to supercharge over coming years.

But there’s one that stands out among the rest: The Tesla Model Y.

Pros of Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive:

Cons of Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive:

The Tesla Model Y is the top seller with good reason, starting with value.

For $55,900 plus on-road costs the Model Y fights against hybrid rivals from the likes of Honda, Nissan and Toyota.

But it brings with it low running costs of an EV, including an impressively efficient electric drivetrain.

There’s no shortage of equipment, either, including a panoramic sunroof, electrically adjustable front seats, heated seats front and rear, heated steering wheel and clear cameras that provide views all around the car. The terrific sound system is also worth a mention, as are the games and apps built into the infotainment system.

The cabin is deceptively spacious, too. Adults can easily slot into the back seats and there’s good storage throughout. An underfloor cavity in the boot happily swallows small bags, adding to the split-fold functionality of the seats.

And while the Model Y is available in various flavours, it’s the entry-level Rear-Wheel Drive we’ve awarded in this test.

Its single electric motor driving the rear wheels provide ample thrust for everyday running and agile dynamics add to the easy driving experience.

It adds up to a mid-sized SUV that still makes a whole lot of sense for families looking for a great all-rounder.

Check out our review of the Tesla Model Y for full details

2024 Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive at a glance:
Price: $55,900 (plus on-road costs)
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 194kW/340Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 60kWh lithium-iron phosphate
Range: 455km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 14.6kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2022)

Our rating: 2024 Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive

Best family EV 2024: Also consider BYD Atto 3, Kia EV6

There’s been intense activity in the electric SUV market over the past 12 months, including new entrants from Toyota and Subaru. For now, though, it’s two well established entrants that earned their place on the Best EV podium for 2024.

The BYD Atto 3 still represents terrific value in a city-friendly size. At $47,499 plus ORCs for the Extended Range it’s a tempting price tag.

That is packs in so much gear - fake leather, powered and heated front seats and a 360-degree camera as a start - makes it an excellent back-up for those on a budget.

From Kia, the EV6 still arrives with a hefty price tag but it delivers in driving manners and space, making it an excellent family choice.

The Tesla Model 3 was the car that changed the EV world and reinvigorated interest in mid-sized sedans. Enter the updated model in late 2023 and it continued that momentum with a four-door that sets the benchmark in its class.

Pros of Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive:

Cons of Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive:

For the heavily refreshed Model 3 engineers focussed on the areas that needed attention, in turn addressing key criticisms of Tesla’s most affordable car - and a car that perfectly nails the city EV brief (it also does a terrific job on road trips!).

The addition of a rear infotainment screen and ambient lighting adding to an already plump list of equipment - panoramic roof, heated seats and steering wheel, electric front seats - makes the $54,900 (plus ORCs) price tag a genuine tempter.

There’s also excellent remote connectivity and intelligent software that’s regularly tweaked and updated; one update early in 2024 added matrix LED high beam functionality to the headlights, the sort of features car makers typically charge thousands for.

From back seats that welcome adults to a useful boot with underfloor storage, there’s above-average room given the exterior dimensions.

Charging is also ahead of all EV rivals because you can utilise the wider network as well as the Tesla chargers.

Check out our review of the Tesla Model 3 for full details

2025 Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive at a glance:
Price: $54,900 (plus on-road costs)
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 194kW/340Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 60kWh lithium-iron phosphate
Range: 513km (WLTP estimated)
Energy consumption: 13.5kWh/100km
Safety rating: Not tested

Our rating: 2025 Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive

Best city EV 2024: Also consider Polestar 2, Volvo EX30

The most natural rival to the Model 3 is the Polestar 2 and it’s more compelling than ever following recent updates and a price drop that sees the range kick off at $62,400.

The switch for the Single Motor model from front- to rear-wheel drive transformed the driving experience. Sure, the suspension is still firm, but the Polestar 2 delivers on driving engagement.

It’s also a classy device inside, albeit one with a tight back seat due to the compromises of utilising an architecture originally designed for internal combustion engines.

Our other runner-up is the newly-arrived Volvo EX30.

It’s compact so perfect for the city but is also fun and funky, all the way down to its design.

A choice of exterior colours and interior materials and themes is all included in the $59,990 plus ORCs start price.

Who said EVs need to be expensive?

When it arrived in 2023 the MG4 was a welcome surprise, pairing great driving manners in a competitively priced five-door hatch.

Pros of MG4 Essence 77:

Cons of MG4 Essence 77:

While the most affordable Excite gets much of that driving goodness, its EV range and scant list of standard equipment takes the gloss of its well sorted core.

But as an Essence the addition of wireless phone charging, rear speakers, heated steering wheel, heated front seats and a power adjusted driver’s seat makes it a great buy, especially considering its sharpened $52,990 drive-away price tag with the larger 77kWh battery.

That battery gives the Essence 530km of WLTP range, making it easier for those who want to head for the hills.

The MG4 isn’t perfect, though, and its electronics are one source of frustration. The rotary drive selector sometimes needs a few seconds to wake up when you first get in the car and try to select drive or reverse. And the 10.25-inch infotainment screen often has a delayed reaction, making selecting virtual buttons a source of occasionally shouts and expletives.

We also wish the regenerative braking didn’t default to aggressive every time you get behind the wheel.

But with engaging rear-drive dynamics, a practical hatchback body and zippy acceleration the MG4 Essence is a lot of car for not a lot of money. And if you don’t need the range pocket a few grand and get the same car with a smaller battery.

Check out our review of the MG4 for full details

2024 MG4 Essence 77 at a glance:
Price: $52,990 drive-away
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 180kW/350Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 77kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion
Range: 530km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 14.0kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star ANCAP (2022)

Our rating: 2024 MG4 Essence 77

Best budget EV 2024: Also consider BYD Dolphin, Hyundai Kona Electric

BYD’s most affordable model doesn’t match the MG4 for driving sensibilities, but it comes with a lengthy list of gear that makes its $36,890 (plus ORCs) start price appealing against similarly-equipped versions of the Toyota Corolla or Hyundai i30.

Most will step up to the Premium with its longer driving range and extra punch (150kW/310Nm versus 70kW/180Nm for the base car) for a modest $6000 step-up.

But the Dolphin loses some marks on the road. It’s fine around town but falls short of greatness.

Another great value-packed option is the Hyundai Kona Electric.

The second generation of the compact SUV still brings a big price premium over petrol-powered Konas, but it also delivers on performance.

And at $54,000 plus ORCs (or $58,000 for the Extended Range) it’s decent electric SUV buying, especially with the availability of 505km of WLTP range in a car that steers and handles nicely.

You don’t have to look far to find a fast EV. Relatively easy power delivered by electric motors is a great starting point. But it’s far harder getting behind the wheel of one with depth and precision across the performance car spectrum.

Enter the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N.

Pros of Hyundai IONIQ 5 N:

Cons of Hyundai IONIQ 5 N:

The flagship version of the IONIQ 5 SUV brings genuine fast car thinking.

Potent four-piston front brakes clasping 400mm calipers and 21-inch Pirelli P Zero tyres work with adjustable dampers to create a car that deals beautifully with bumps and corners, whether tight and twisty or fast and flowing?.

Sure, it’s heavy (2.2 tonnes), but the IONIQ 5 N delivers on cornering talent, backing it up with superb stopping power.

And the fast car thinking flows through to the cabin with fantastic race-inspired seats and a plethora of driver adjustability, some of it through the busy but tactile steering wheel.

It’s also snappy in a straight line, with two motors mustering a combined 478kW to scorch it to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds.

But the real smarts with the IONIQ 5 N come from its software, which has been tuned to widen the grins with some funky noises, some wild but fun drive modes (drift mode is great on a track) and even something that simulates ICE car gear shifts.

While it may sound gimmicky, in reality it works and makes the IONIQ 5 N a worthy winner for 2024.

And not just an EV winner. Anyone shopping for a performance car around its $110,383 plus ORCs price should stick it on the shortlist.

Check out our review of the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N for full details

2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N at a glance:
Price: $110,383 (plus on-road costs)
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 478kW/770Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 84kWh nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion
Range: 448km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 21.2kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Not tested

Our rating: 2024 Hyundai IONIQ 5 N

Best performance EV 2024: Also consider Tesla Model 3 Performance, MG4 X-Power

The latest and greatest is the Model 3 Performance, which builds on the excellent updates to the Model 3 but brings even more power courtesy of a new rear motor.

It’s crazy quick off the line and slick around bends. Less impressive is its braking. It doesn’t take many high-speed hits to have the stoppers overheating in protest.

It’s a shame because at $80,900 plus on-road costs there’s nothing that beats it once you floor the throttle.

That said, the MG4 X-Power comes close.

The top-shelf version of the loveable hatch has serious spice courtesy of dual electric motors thumping out 300kW. That’s enough to surge it to 100km/h in 3.8 seconds, the front wheels scrabbling for purchase as the 600Nm of fury is unleashed.

Sure, the dynamic talent doesn’t match its ability to thrust occupants back in their seats, but at $59,990 plus ORCs it packs in plenty of thrills.

The Porsche Taycan set the benchmark at the top of the EV market when it arrived Down Under early in 2021 and with the recent arrival of an updated model it’s seriously evolved a winning formula.

Pros of Porsche Taycan 4S:

Cons of Porsche Taycan 4S:

The Taycan is not only still the fastest and most powerful EV on the market - it’s not even a close contest - but also one of the best to drive.

It infuses effortless EV motoring with trademark Porsche talent and driving manners. Steering is beautifully weighted and brakes loaded with feel and able to deliver on immense stopping power. That it also manages decent luxury and comfort reinforces the Taycan’s talent.

Think of it as a Porsche first and an EV second and you get the idea.

Throw in a deceptively practical low-slung body and quality finishes - it even uses the same steering wheel as the legendary 911 - and the Taycan is a terrific choice for those wanting lashings of EV spice.

Check out our review of the Porsche Taycan for full details

2024 Porsche Taycan 4S at a glance:
Price: $223,400 (plus on-road costs)
Powertrain: Two permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 380kW/710Nm (440kW with launch control)
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear (front axle), two-speed transmission (rear axle)
Battery: 104.9kWh (97kWh useable) nickel manganese cobalt lithium-ion
Range: 601km (ADR)
Energy consumption: 18.5kWh/100km (ADR)
Safety rating: Not tested

Our rating: 2024 Porsche Taycan 4S

Best EV 2024 if money is no object : Also consider Audi RS e-tron GT, BMW iX

It’s perhaps no surprise that the Audi RS e-tron GT runs a close second to the Porsche. After all, it utilises the Taycan’s EV underpinnings, albeit toned down in outright performance.

Still, with a hefty 475kW and 830Nm the RS e-tron GT is a potent machine and one that also delivers through corners. Slick dynamics are all but a match and the RS e-tron GT devours a snaking piece of bitumen with clinical efficiency - and pace

Sure, at $250,484 plus on-roads it’s a lot of money. But the RS e-tron GT is also a heck of a lot of performance car.

If the budget doesn’t stretch that far then the BMW iX is worth a look.

The five-seat SUV boasts futuristic styling and an even more futuristic cabin, but one that looks after its occupants nicely. The superb Bowers & Wilkins sound system is a great touch, too.

Even the xDrive 40 delivers on performance with 240kW and 630Nm, with more potent versions stepping up from there.

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