Best Electric SUVs Under $60,000 in Australia in 2026

A $60,000 budget gives Australian electric SUV buyers plenty to consider in 2026. There are compact models suited to commuting, larger family SUVs and longer-range options that make travelling beyond the suburbs easier to plan.

Choosing between them takes more than comparing the lowest advertised price. Some manufacturers quote prices before on-road costs, others advertise drive-away offers, and some deals only apply to particular stock or purchase dates.

This guide keeps those distinctions visible. Our eight-car shortlist is based on Australian pricing, published specifications and safety information. It is a buying guide rather than a claim that these vehicles have been tested together.

Best electric SUVs under $60,000: comparison table

Prices checked on 26 September 2026. Before-on-road-cost prices exclude applicable registration, stamp duty, dealer delivery and other charges. Drive-away estimates and promotional offers have their own conditions. Obtain a written quote for your postcode and chosen vehicle.

Manufacturer sources support the current GWM, Jaecoo, MG, Kia and BYD Sealion 7 offers. The Atto 2 and updated EX5 list prices are also supported by Australian automotive reporting; Geely’s manufacturer page could not be fully retrieved during this check.

The five-star results shown above are confirmed by ANCAP. A rating for a related vehicle does not automatically apply to an unrated model.

1. BYD Atto 2 Dynamic: an affordable starting point

The Atto 2 Dynamic suits buyers who want a compact electric SUV without using their entire $60,000 budget. Its $31,990 price is before on-road costs, so the amount payable will be higher.

Australian specifications include a 130kW electric motor and 345km claimed WLTP range. That makes it worth considering for commuting, shopping and suburban driving, particularly where regular charging is available. Buyers planning frequent long-distance trips should compare its range with the longer-range models below.

The Atto 2 here is the fully electric version. Check the powertrain carefully when browsing listings, as BYD also uses the Atto 2 name for its DM-i plug-in hybrid.

Best suited to: Buyers prioritising a lower purchase price and a manageable footprint.

2. GWM Ora 5 Lux: a low drive-away price

GWM advertises the Ora 5 Lux from $33,990 drive-away. Its model-page quote identifies private buyers in Victoria, so shoppers elsewhere should obtain their own written price.

GWM lists a 58.33kWh battery, 150kW motor and 435km claimed range under the WLTC procedure. The Lux equipment shown includes a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and a spare tyre.

Keep the test-cycle label attached to the range figure. GWM’s quoted WLTC figure should not be silently relabelled as WLTP. Likewise, the older Ora hatchback’s ANCAP assessment should not be transferred to the Ora 5 SUV.

Best suited to: Buyers comparing the total drive-away cost of entry-level electric SUVs.

3. Jaecoo J5 EV Summit: generous equipment below $40,000

The J5 EV Summit is advertised at $36,990 drive-away under an offer applying to new stock ordered through participating dealers between 1 July and 30 September 2026, while stocks last. Metallic paint and options are excluded.

Its appeal is the amount of equipment included at that price. Jaecoo lists heated and ventilated front seats, a powered tailgate, a glass roof with powered sunshade and a 360-degree camera. Published range is 402km WLTP.

Jaecoo also quotes approximately 28 minutes for a 30–80 per cent DC recharge under suitable conditions. Remember that this is a different charging window from the 10–80 per cent figures frequently advertised by other brands.

Best suited to: Buyers seeking comfort features and practical storage without moving into the $50,000 price bracket.

4. MG MGS5 EV Essence 49kWh: a compact family option

The MGS5 EV Essence 49kWh is advertised at $41,990 drive-away through MG’s September campaign. Its smaller battery delivers 335km WLTP range, while the Essence equipment includes a 360-degree camera and panoramic sunroof.

MG’s Australian brochure lists a 453-litre boot and rear-wheel drive. Those features make it a useful comparison for buyers wanting family practicality in a relatively compact SUV.

Its five-star ANCAP result is another reason to include it on a family shortlist. For buyers who regularly drive long distances, the main decision is whether the 49kWh version provides enough range or whether spending more on a larger battery is worthwhile.

Best suited to: Commuters and smaller families with convenient charging access.

5. Geely EX5 Complete Extended Range: range and space for the money

The updated EX5 Complete Extended Range combines a $41,990 price before on-road costs with 475km claimed WLTP range. Australian reporting identifies a 68.39kWh battery and front-wheel drive for the updated version.

That combination makes the EX5 a strong candidate for households seeking a larger electric SUV while retaining some room in the budget for insurance and charging equipment.

Check that the quoted vehicle is the Extended Range specification. Earlier EX5 stock has a different battery and range, so a discounted vehicle should be compared using its own specifications.

Best suited to: Families balancing purchase price, passenger space and driving range.

6. Kia EV3 Air Long Range: the range-focused choice

The EV3 Air Long Range offers 604km claimed WLTP range, the highest figure among the variants in this table. Kia currently displays a drive-away estimate from $52,990.

The estimate includes listed on-road charges but can vary with individual circumstances. Kia’s September page also advertises separate cashback and finance options with eligibility conditions; the comparison table does not deduct an additional cashback amount from the displayed estimate.

The EV3’s appeal is straightforward: substantial claimed range in a compact SUV, backed by a five-star ANCAP assessment. Drivers who cover longer distances should put it near the top of their test-drive list.

Best suited to: Buyers who prioritise range without stepping up to a large SUV.

7. MGS6 EV Essence RWD: a larger family choice

MG advertises the MGS6 EV Essence RWD at $49,990 drive-away under its September offer. It uses a 77kWh battery and 180kW rear motor, with 530km claimed WLTP range.

MG quotes a 10–80 per cent charging time of approximately 38 minutes under suitable conditions. Its published equipment includes physical controls for selected functions, a head-up display and a powered tailgate.

The five-star ANCAP assessment adds to its appeal as a family vehicle. During a test drive, check the space with your usual passengers and luggage, and compare insurance and tyre costs with smaller alternatives.

Best suited to: Families seeking a larger EV with useful range below the budget ceiling.

8. BYD Sealion 7 Premium: space and equipment near the budget limit

The Sealion 7 Premium is available from $54,990 drive-away under BYD’s current campaign. Eligible vehicles must be ordered by 30 September 2026, with delivery generally required by 31 October 2026, subject to the published delay provisions. Metallic paint costs extra, and the offer excludes demonstrators and transactions involving additional promotions or discounts.

The Premium has rear-wheel drive, a 230kW motor and 482km claimed WLTP range. Its larger body and five-seat layout make it a relevant choice for families moving from a conventional medium SUV.

At this end of the budget, ask for the final drive-away amount including your chosen paint and accessories before committing.

Best suited to: Buyers wanting a larger, well-equipped electric SUV near $60,000.

How to choose the right electric SUV

Decide whether $60,000 is your drive-away limit

A car advertised below $60,000 before on-road costs may cost more than $60,000 to put on the road. Give the dealer your actual total budget and ask for an itemised quote.

For campaign offers, check the order deadline, delivery deadline, eligible stock, paint charges and whether discounts can be combined.

Match the range to your driving

The longest-range car is not automatically the best purchase for every household. A smaller battery may meet your needs comfortably if most trips are local and you can recharge regularly.

Frequent regional travel changes the calculation. Consider the distances between reliable chargers, your preferred routes and the extra energy used in cold weather, at highway speeds or with a loaded vehicle.

Published laboratory range is useful for comparing vehicles tested under the same procedure. It is not a guaranteed distance for every journey.

Work out your charging arrangement before buying

Think about where the car will charge during a normal week. Home charging, workplace access and nearby public chargers can produce very different ownership experiences.

AussieMotor’s EV home charging guide explains charging speeds, installation considerations and how to assess a setup for your circumstances.

Compare safety and ownership costs

Read the ANCAP assessment for the exact vehicle and check its applicability. An equipment list containing airbags and driver assistance features is not a substitute for a published crash-test rating.

Also obtain insurance quotes and compare servicing schedules, tyre sizes, vehicle warranty and battery warranty terms. Check kilometre limits, servicing conditions and any battery-capacity provisions rather than relying only on the headline warranty period.

Which electric SUV under $60,000 should you shortlist?

For a lower purchase price, start with the BYD Atto 2 Dynamic, GWM Ora 5 Lux and Jaecoo J5 EV Summit.

For family use at a moderate price, compare the MGS5 EV with the Geely EX5 Complete Extended Range. The Kia EV3 Air Long Range deserves attention if claimed range is the leading priority.

If you want a larger vehicle, the MGS6 EV Essence RWD and BYD Sealion 7 Premium provide two strong alternatives within the advertised budget.

The right choice comes down to a written drive-away quote, charging access, passenger and luggage needs, and how the car feels on your own test drive.