JohnDe
La dolce vita
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Best Electric Car 2022: The verdict
From 13 of the newest and most affordable EVs on sale in Australia, there’s only one that earns the title of Best Electric Car 2022
1. Tesla Model 3
After taking out carsales’ Best Electric Car award in 2021, the Tesla Model 3 has done it again for 2022.
That’s no mean feat considering the bigger and better field of EVs lining up this year to dethrone the US brand’s outstanding mid-size sedan.
But the 2022 Tesla Model 3 has held its ground, holding its position in the face of stronger competition from other brands and within its own stable.
Many of the points noted above for the Tesla Model Y also apply to the Model 3. It’s not perfect, missing a few features that its rivals offer, but by the same token Tesla has set a benchmark that others are still trying to reach.
Despite being more expensive than it was a year ago, the Model 3 still represents great value, measured not only by what you get for the outlay, but the grin factor brought with every drive.
It’s engaging, fun and quick. The driving range is long. The tech highlights are bountiful. The running costs are low, yet the resale value is high.
This might be the entry point to the Tesla range, but the Model 3 RWD never allows the owner to feel short-changed. In fact, it achieves the opposite.
It’s a clear winner of carsales’ Best Electric Car 2022.
How much does the 2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD cost?
Price: $65,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 194kW/340Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 60kWh lithium-iron phosphate
Range: 491km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 13.4kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2019)
2. Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y has finally arrived in Australia and the much-anticipated mid-size SUV has very nearly taken out carsales’ Best Electric Car 2022.
There are close connections with the Tesla Model 3 wherever one turns, but ultimately the Tesla Model Y is more expensive, and bigger and heavier on its feet, than its mid-size sedan sibling.
That counts against it in areas such as driving performance and ownership costs, but it’s really only a matter of degrees between the US brand’s two EVs.
Against the bulk of our field, across all areas of assessment, the Tesla Model Y stacks up strongly.
Exceptions to the rule? Insurance costs are high and replacing tyres on the Model Y proves to be more expensive than every other electric car on test. Its safety suite also misses rear cross traffic alert.
But here’s an EV that goes the extra mile with its features (two wireless charging pads), never fails to impress with its party tricks (using your phone as a key), exercises the brain (no instrument panel behind the steering wheel), offers a sporty and engaging drive, runs for long distances before needing to recharge and, for an extra layer of reassurance, will hold its value well when it comes time to sell.
How much does the 2022 Tesla Model Y RWD cost?
Price: $72,300 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
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)
3. Hyundai Kona Electric
The 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric is perhaps a surprise third placegetter in carsales’ Best Electric Car this year, given the quality of the field and the fact that it has snuck in – by a mere half point – ahead of the more advanced IONIQ 5.
Kona isn’t the show pony in the Korean brand’s electrified vehicle stable, but performs strongly across our assessment criteria – including cost of ownership, where the IONIQ falls down.
Not only does it have resale value on its side, but the Kona Electric is the absolute standout in our field for the lowest running costs over the first five years, thanks to extremely low servicing charges and highly competitive costs for energy, tyre replacement and insurance.
Elsewhere, the Kona Electric is more middle of the road, or above average, than magnificent.
That’s true for its driving performance, which is hobbled by a 305km driving range, while there are detail points across safety, tech and comfort and convenience that combine to keep daylight between Kona Electric and our two top-ranking models.
How much does the 2022 Hyundai Kona Electric Standard Range Elite cost?
Price: $54,500 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: Single permanent magnet synchronous motor
Output: 100kW/395Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 39.2kWh lithium-ion polymer
Range: 305km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 14.3kWh/100km (WLTP)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)
