BYD’S ATTO 3 is one of the best-value electric vehicles on sale today and a rare example of (near) price parity with its combustion-engined alternatives. While a little smaller outside thanks to the skateboard-style EV construction, the Chinese-made SUV has more space than aVolkswagen T-Roc R-Line and bang up-to-date cabin technology.
It’s this competitiveness that might make the case for families to swap into the $51,011 BYD from combustionengined vehicles – especially with tantalising loan deals available for EVs under the luxury car tax threshold. The Atto 3’s sales speak for themselves and, it’s safe to say, the BYD arrives in this four-way as a favourite.
It comprehensively beat the MG ZS EV in a twin test (Wheels December 2022) and is the most affordable EV here at nearly $9000 less than the Peugeot e-2008 GT ($59,990). Speaking of, the French small SUV is the only vehicle developed as a combustion vehicle first and an EV second, and is the lone flag-flyer for torsion-beam rear suspension in this test.
The Hyundai Kona Electric launched in January this year and we have the richest Premium Long Range grade ($68,000 before on-road costs) for our testing. The $10K-cheaper Extended Range was our ideal candidate though Hyundai didn’t have one to supply for our testing dates. Like the e-2008, Renault’s Megane E-Tech Techno EV60 ($64,990 before on-road costs) is old news in Europe and has taken its time to arrive down under.
You’ll note that a few key small SUVs are missing – the most crucial being Volvo’s EX30. A combination of factors have conspired to keep Australian examples grounded
