Which electric vehicle should I buy?

The number of electric vehicles on the market has grown considerably in recent years but do the numbers stack up against more conventional low-emission cars?

Picking the right new car out of the masses on sale is hard. Our resident expert helps out a reader hungry for a new low emissions family car.

THE QUESTION

I’m struggling to find our next family car. We love our 2018 Subaru Outback but its lease runs out in mid-2023. We want the same size or bigger – we’re a couple with a toddler and plans for one more. We want hybrid or full electric, the budget is $70-80,000.

Tim Marchant, email

ANSWER

An EV or PHEV (plug-in hybrid) is going to be significantly more expensive than a petrol vehicle of similar size, although help could be on its way if you’re on a novated lease. A new bill currently passing through parliament will exempt EV buyers from paying fringe benefits tax (FBT) on their company leased vehicle, as long it costs less than the $84,916 luxury car tax threshold. You’ll save thousands, so let’s discuss full electric vehicles fit for families. Waiting lists for in-demand EVs are your main enemy here.

The Tesla Model Y ws the number one selling SUV in the country last month. Picture: Thomas Wielecki.

CHOICES

TESLA MODEL Y RWD, ABOUT $77,000 DRIVE-AWAY

The five-seat SUV version of the successful and deeply impressive Model 3, the Y offers 194kW/340Nm and range of 455km from its 60kWh battery. On a DC charger, it can add almost 300km in just 15 minutes and you can use Tesla’s vast charging network.

It has decent rear seat space and the boot’s a mighty 854 litres – a big jump over your Outback’s 512 litres. The Model Y corners well but the suspension’s quite firm and the interior’s quite stark.

Goodies include faux-leather heated seats front and rear, wireless phone charging for two, a 15-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, power tailgate and built-in arcade games for the kids. Crash tests produced outstanding results. Servicing is condition-based and the four-year/80,000km warranty isn’t great, although battery coverage is double that. Order now and delivery’s expected between February and May 2023.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 was News Corp’s Car of the Year last year. Picture: Supplied.

HYUNDAI IONIQ 5 2WD DYNAMIQ, ABOUT $75,000 DRIVE-AWAY

The Ioniq 5 is our Car of the Year but a lack of supply means waiting lists are long. If you can order one (via Hyundai’s website when a new batch is released) you’re rewarded with a striking and spacious EV.

There’s 168kW/350Nm and range of 507km from a 77.4kWh battery. It can add 100km of range in just five minutes at a 350kW DC fast charger.

It’s generally comfortable to drive and corners well but the suspension can jar on poor surfaces. A 527-litre boot trumps your Outback’s while rear head and leg room are huge. It’s a classy, cool cabin with a brace of 12.3-inch screens, Bose audio, augmented reality head-up display, heated “eco leather” power seats, a smart tailgate, vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging and impressive safety.

Five years of services are $1684 and the warranty’s five-years/unlimited km.

Kia’s EV6 is great to drive, if you can get your hands on one. Picture: Supplied.

KIA EV6 AIR, ABOUT $77,000 DRIVE-AWAY

Similar underpinnings to the Ioniq 5, while the 168kW/350Nm rear motor and 77.4kWh battery offer perky performance and mighty 528km range. Charge times mirror the Hyundai. It is more wagon-like in design. The rear seats are huge but the boot’s only 490 litres.

It’s not as loaded as the others but you score faux suede and leather seats, dual digital displays, V2L and strong safety.

It trumps the Ioniq 5 and Model Y on the ride front with a great balance of comfort and control. It has the best warranty at seven years/unlimited km and a service pack works out at about $225 annually.

If you can’t quite commit to full electric, Toyota’s Kluger hybrid coud be an option. Picture: Supplied.

WILDCARD

TOYOTA KLUGER GXL HYBRID, APPROX. $70,000 DRIVE-AWAY

You’ll miss out on the aforementioned benefits of owning an EV, but the Kluger Hybrid’s a decent shout if you’re not ready for the full electric life and the associated range anxiety on longer road trips.

The 184kW/242Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder hybrid returns 5.6L/100km (combined) and 6.0L/100km (city) – superb for a seven-seat SUV that can tow 2000kg and do a bit of unsealed road adventuring. It demands 95RON fuel however.

The new Kluger has a beautiful soft ride and feels stable through corners despite its size. The safety kit is comprehensive and there’s an 8-inch touchscreen, faux leather trim, five USB points, tri-zone climate control and a cavernous 1150L boot with five seats up.

Servicing rivals EVs for cheapness at $1250 for five years/75,000km and the warranty’s five years/unlimited km.

VERDICT

The Kluger feels out of date in this company while limited availability makes the Ioniq 5 and EV6 hard to recommend. That leaves the excellent Model Y as the best choice.

Originally published as Which electric vehicle should I buy?