Considering a move to an EV but can’t decide which brand or model to buy? It’s easy for buyers to get swept up in the brand hype or the dealer’s sales pitch when buying any new vehicle. When it is a vehicle with technology that they are not completely familiar with, buyers can understandably be hesitant. Fortunately, there are experts to assist by way of the annual Car of the Year program conducted by Drive. The best electric cars for the year are covered across several categories in the program.
The awards program is underway for 2025 and contenders in the EV categories have been revealed. Over the coming months these contenders will be whittled down to finalists and in February next year the winner will be announced. We’ll be following the program at the different stages and posting updates. But at this stage, buyers may consider the lists of contenders for their purchase. The list is more extensive than the finalists and winner. Offering buyers more models to consider, which may be beneficial. Models that don’t make the finalists list according to the experts, may be the preferred option for many buyers.
Car of the Year Awards Program – Overview
Drive’s annual vehicle awards program has been running since 2006 and is conducted to set rules and by expert judges. The decisions can be highly anticipated. The program covers 19 categories, with the list reviewed and amended annually to reflect the new vehicle market and to align with Australian buyers.
The awards embrace urban, luxury, family, SUVs, EVs and utes. These major segments are then divided into categories priced on price. A valuable assist for many buyers where pricing is often the key deciding factor. The price categories don’t allow for discounts or other special offers
The general rules for inclusion in the program are that the model needs to be new or significantly changed from a previous model and be available for sale before the end of the year of the program with vehicles available for the judges within the timeframe.
Best Electric Cars – Category Contenders
With such a large selection of EVs on the market, the awards program divides EVs into several categories. The category for under the $50k price addresses the budget market, the Family category below $100k focuses on the practicalities and space, the luxury category on what you would expect, and the Urban category under the $100k price point is quite diverse. This category considers all-round aspects, style and cutting-edge features.
The contenders for the best urban EV below $100k include last year’s winner the Tesla 3, the Volvo EX30, Mercedes EQA, the Renault Megane EA-Tech, Smart Models 1 and 3, Zeekr X, two BMWs being the iX2 and i4eDrive 35, the Avenger by Jeep and the Audi Q4 e-tron. Plus for those wanting a smaller vehicle, the Abarth 500e and two Minis – the Cooper and Countryman Electric models.
The contenders for Family EV below the $100k price mark offer a number of considerations for buyers looking for practicality and functionality. The Kia EV9 won this category last year and is a contender again along with stablemate the Kia EV5. Also contending are the VW ID Buzz, Hyundai Ioniq 5, Mercedes EQB, Skoda Enyaq, Toyota bZ4X, Subaru’s Solterra and the Polestar 4.
In the below $50k category there are less contenders with last year’s winner MG4 in the mix again along with BYD’s Seal Dynamic and Chery’s Omoda E5.
Keep an eye out for which of these contenders make the finalist list!
Securing Affordable Finance for Best Electric Cars
While the awards showcase EVs within the price affordability zone of a range of buyers, the price tag of many EV models does tend to be higher than similar sized and optioned petrol vehicles. The pricing has been considered as a major hurdle to EV take-up in Australia. For buyers keen to embrace this, the financing may be key to the purchase decision.
Affordable financing from Jade Car Loans may make the pricing of the best electric cars on the market a more attractive and workable purchase for buyers. We focus on assisting buyers get into their new electric vehicles with financing repayments that work with their budgets and/or cash flow. Securing the most competitive rates on finance for private vehicle buyers and for businesses purchasing vehicles for their operation.
Our low rates ensure lower, workable repayments to make an EV purchase more affordable. Possibly being the clincher in moving from a traditional to new fuel system model. When considering the contenders for awards in the EV categories, use our Finance Calculator to work up loan estimates to assist with comparing purchase options.
To make buying the best electric cars on the market an affordable purchase, contact Jade Car Loans 1300 000 003 for competitive finance.
DISCLAIMER: IN REGARD TO MISREPRESENTATIONS AND ERRORS CONTAINED IN THE MATERIAL AS PRESENTED, LIABILITY IS NOT ACCEPTED. THE DETAILS AND CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR CAR BUYERS AND INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESS SEEKING FINANCE PURELY AS GENERAL INFORMATION. THIS IS NOT PROVIDED AS THE ONLY SOURCE OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION. ANYONE THAT CONSIDERS THAT NEED FINANCIAL ADVICE ABOUT THEIR SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS SHOULD SEEK THEIR OWN FINANCIAL ADVISOR.
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