New Mazda MX-30 takes on Kia Niro, Hyundai Kona Electric and Nissan Leaf

More car makers are selling electric cars in Australia, and if you want one that is relatively cheap these are the top four.

David McCowen

4 min read

July 16, 2021 - 6:00AM

News Corp Australia Network

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Tesla has enjoyed a near-monopoly on battery-powered vehicles for years, but mainstream brands such as Mazda, Nissan, Kia and Hyundai are fighting back with a new breed of practical and relatively affordable machines.

Mainstream EVs: Nissan Leaf, Mazda MX-30, Kia Niro, Nissan Leaf Hyundai Kona. Picture: Thomas Wielecki

NISSAN LEAF

Nissan powered up its electric hatch this year, adding a more powerful Leaf e+ version with a 160kW motor and 62kWh battery.

Faster and more usable, it also promises bi-directional charging in the future, allowing you to use the car’s battery to power your home.

It could prove to be a game-changer in the future.

Priced from $64,990 drive-away, the Leaf has 17-inch wheels, front and rear heated leather seats, a 360-degree camera, climate control and seven-speaker Bose stereo.

The Nissan Leaf looks plain compared to rivals.

It’s affordable, powerful and roomy, but looks plain inside and out.

Though it has satnav and smartphone mirroring, a small 8-inch touchscreen and ergonomic flaws such as a foot-operated parking brake and lack of steering wheel reach-adjustment hurt.

The Leaf will soon be able to power your house.

But the Leaf wins back points with the most powerful motor here.

Its acceleration rivals hot hatches, and the cabin is hushed at highway speed.

Quick steering gels with the Nissan’s crisp throttle response, while heavy brake energy harvesting slows the car to a stop when you ease off the throttle.

MAZDA MX-30

The MX-30 takes a different path.

While the Leaf looks plain, Mazda’s bold exterior meets a cabin finished with interesting materials including cork, raw plastic and artificial leather.

Priced from about $71,000 drive-away, it comes in a single fully-loaded trim.

Mazda’s all-new MX-30 is excellent looks but has a very short driving range.

It has a 12-speaker Bose stereo, wireless phone charging, a sunroof, memory seats and the most comprehensive safety suite here including 10 airbags, plus front and rear auto emergency braking.

A sporty driving position is excellent, but rear-hinged back doors make access to a cosy back seat tricky, while the swooping roofline compromises headroom and visibility.

The MX-30 is impeccably presented.

It has the smallest boot of the bunch, but the bigger issue is under the bonnet.

A small 35.5kWh battery brings only 200 kilometres of range.

It’s also the least efficient car here and has the slowest charging rate.

Power comes from a 107kW/271Nm electric motor delivering relaxed acceleration in a refined manner with minimal whirr or whine, though there is synthesised engine noise.

The Mazda is the most conventionally car-like to drive, helped by its light weight, low ground clearance and taut suspension tune.

KIA NIRO

Available with a choice of hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric propulsion, the Niro starts at about $70,990 drive-away in full battery-powered Sport trim.

The Kia Niro’s steering provides little feedback.

It’s the only car here with a seven-year warranty and customers get a good degree of kit including a 10.25-inch wide-screen display with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, satnav and an eight-speaker JBL stereo.

Faux leather trim joins climate control, LED lights and a safety suite including seven airbags, active cruise control, auto emergency braking and more.

It’s also the biggest car here, with the most boot space and generous head and leg room in the front and rear.

The Kia is backed by a seven year warranty.

Power comes from a big 64kWh battery with an impressive 455 kilometres of range, linked to a 150kW/395Nm electric motor driving the front wheels.

It pulls hard and can exceed its claimed range, but makes the most noticeable electric noises of the lot – when both braking and accelerating.

Kia’s soft suspension also rolls and pitches noticeably.

Its steering offers little feel or feedback and the tyres can struggle to get all that torque to the ground efficiently.

HYUNDAI KONA

Driving the Kona offers a glimpse into what the Kia could have been.

Based on similar underpinnings, the Hyundai has the same 62kWh battery and 150kW motor. But it’s a more modern machine with a sportier driving experience.

Precise steering and firmer suspension result in a car lighter on its feet and more fun to drive.

The Hyundai Kona looks the most futuristic.

Less weight, low rolling resistance tyres and clever electronics deliver the best energy efficiency here, resulting in 484 kilometres of claimed range.

Priced from about $67,000 drive-away, the Hyundai is also the cheapest to service at $800 for five years.

Our test example’s electric blue paint and white faux-leather trim paired nicely with its high-definition 10.25-inch digital driver’s cluster and central wide-screen display to make the Kia and Nissan look out of touch.

It’s cabin is simple but feels more up to date than rivals.

Other niceties include an eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo, smart keys and climate control – luxuries such as a sunroof require a $4000 upgrade from Elite to Highlander trim.

RANGE COMPARISON

On a 100-kilometre test loop, the Hyundai, Kia and Nissan were on track to narrowly exceed range claims, while the Mazda would have fallen short by about 30km.

Charging would take at least 24 hours from a household plug or about nine hours with a home charging box.

Public 100kW chargers can charge the Nissan, Kia and Hyundai from 10 to 80 per cent in about 50 minutes. The Mazda can only accept a 50kW charge.

All four vehicles have their flaws.

VERDICT

The MX-30 looks great and drives well but is pricey and lacks range.

The Leaf’s trump card lies in vehicle-to-grid tech that isn’t online yet, while the Kia is spacious but not as refined as it could be.

That leaves the Kona as a clear winner. It’s engaging, polished and capable of exceeding its generous range claims.

THE COMPETITION

The most affordable EV is MG’s ZS EV, priced from $43,990 drive-away.

It combines a 44.5kWh battery with a 105kW/353Nm motor and offers 263km of range.

The best electric car you can buy for less than $100,000 is Tesla’s Model 3.

Priced from $68,000 drive-away, it’s faster than everything else, has superior driving dynamics, a much more compressive charging network and about 450km of range.