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Here is every new or updated model eligible for the Drive Car of the Year 2025 – Best Electric Vehicle Under $50K category.
Drive Car of the Year 2025
Now in its 20th year, the annual Drive Car of the Year awards program continues to be the Australian new car buyer’s most-trusted advisor.
At Drive, we test drive more than 200 new cars every year, evaluating each against its innate promise to sort the best from the rest. We divide the 400-plus new passenger cars, SUVs, 4WDs and utes into 19 price-banded categories focused on the end-user. Then we analyse the strengths and weaknesses of every car to find the cream of the automotive crop.
Drive Car of the Year 2025 is a go!
Drive Car of the Year 2025 – Best Electric Vehicle Under $50K
While Australians enjoyed more choice than ever before in this category last year, it's a slightly different story this time around.
Last year, the Australian market was, for the first time, brimming with options for buyers looking to electrify their automotive needs with a budget less than $50,000. But, with most of last year's contenders remaining largely unchanged, a few models have dropped out of the reckoning this year.
Still, those that in contention will need to deliver technology and a decent driving experience. But perhaps more importantly, they will need to live up to their claimed driving ranges while also being easy to live with day-to-day.
Last year's winner in this category, the MG 4 proved that EVs priced under $50,000 need not feel cheap. The headline act is the entry-level Excite 51kWh which promises around 350km of driving range for a tickle under $40,000 plus on-road costs. Buyers needing more range can opt for the $41,900 Excite 64kWh which extends range to 450km, and special discount offers on both reduce prices even further.
Both are decently equipped for the money. Spending a couple of grand more on the Essence 64kWh brings some extra equipment and in-cabin refinement. All three variants are once again eligible for this year's award.
The newcomer to the segment is the Chery Omoda E5, a small SUV which brings a 61.1kWh battery and around 430km of driving range. Starting at $42,990 before on-road costs, it's sharply priced too. But sharp pricing doesn't mean the Omoda E5 misses out on creature comforts. The elegantly designed cabin is brimming with the type of technology modern buyers expect from their new cars such as leather-look trim, power-adjustable heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, eight-speaker audio system, 360-degree camera, power tailgate, ambient interior lighting, and more.
Finally, last year the BYD Seal Dynamic didn't make the shortlist as we weren't able to get behind the wheel of the cheapest variant Tesla Model 3 rival in time for judging. We have enjoyed since plenty of wheel time in the Seal and know from experience it's a very solid electric vehicle. However, the only variant eligible in this category from the three model line-up, is the entry-level Dynamic RWD. Priced from $49,888 before on-road costs, it squeaks in under the $50K cutoff for this category.
Which cars are eligible for this category?
Drive’s rules require that, for a car to be eligible, it must:
While the list of contenders in this category has shrunk since last year, those that remain fill the brief of what's required to take out the gong. Those wondering why EVs like the GWM Ora and BYD Dolphin and Atto 3 haven't made the cut, it's worth noting none have been updated enough to be eligible for this year's awards.
As for one of the newest entrants into the segment, the Leapmotor C10 has not arrived in local showrooms in time to be considered for this year's awards.
| Contenders | Not here in time |
| – Cars that are all-new or significantly updated since they last contested Drive Car of the Year. – New categories are open to all cars that fit category requirements. – Last year’s winner is an automatic inclusion. | – These cars meet category requirements, but are not due to arrive in time for Drive Car of the Year 2025 judging. |
| BYD Seal Dynamic Chery Omoda E5 MG 4 (defending) | Leapmotor C10 |
The winner of the 2025 Drive Car of the Year – Best Electric Vehicle Under $50K will be announced in February 2025.
Before then, we will announce the finalists, all of which deliver on the promise of emissions-free motoring in a comfortable, modern and uncomplicated manner.
Read more:
Rob Margeit is an award-winning Australian motoring journalist and editor who has been writing about cars and motorsport for over 25 years. A former editor of Australian Auto Action, Rob’s work has also appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Wheels, Motor Magazine, Street Machine and Top Gear Australia. Rob’s current rides include a 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and a 2000 Honda HR-V Sport.
