Best Electric Hatches
1.BMW i4
8.0
3 badges available
$85,900 - $133,900*MRLP
What we love
- -Looks, feels, and smells like a proper BMW
- -Great value gets better if you have a good accountant
- -Punchy enough – elegant sufficiency
What we don't
- -Pick a good colour or it may look a little bland
- -Gran Coupe style helps aero, but try explaining that to someone in the back
- -Heavy!
2.smart #1
7.6
What we love
- -Lots of fun customisation in terms of colours and tech
- -Great headroom and useable interior space
- -Well featured, even in the entry specification
What we don't
- -Infotainment looks flashy but isn't all that intuitive
- -Warranty not as good as other brands
- -Has time diluted some of Smart's unique brand charm?
3.BYD Dolphin
7.5
2 badges available
$36,890 - $42,890*MRLP
What we love
- -Extensive standard features list
- -Impressive and plush interior
- -Drives as well around town as cars from established brands
What we don't
- -Charging speed could do with an uptick
- -Cabin width is noticeably lacking
- -Infotainment feels a little third-party
4.CUPRA Born
7.5
What we love
- -Huge cabin despite small hatch positioning
- -Well-judged ride comfort and subdued road noise
- -Nice cabin materials and build quality
What we don't
- -Acceleration isn't overly impressive
- -Option packs reduce seating capacity
- -Touch-sensitive controls
5.GWM Ora
7.5
4 badges available
$35,990 - $46,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Tall and spacious for a hatchback
- -Ride is surprisingly comfortable
- -Low ownership costs, frugal energy use
What we don't
- -Dysfunctional gear shifter
- -Whacky infotainment system
- -Still no Android Auto (yet)
6.MG MG4
7.5
4 badges available
$37,990 - $55,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Plenty of standard inclusions in simple drive-away price
- -Entertaining around corners
- -Spacious second row
What we don't
- -Jumpy ride quality
- -Infotainment needs refinement
- -Cramped driver's footwell
7.MINI Cooper
7.5
4 badges available
$41,990 - $58,990*MRLP
What we love
- -Driving engagement is excellent
- -Quality interior execution
- -Ride and handling defy the EV weight
What we don't
- -Boot space is tight if you're a one-car family
- -Still a little on the expensive side
- -Second-row is occasional only
8.Fiat 500e
7.3
1 badge available
$52,500 - $52,500*MRLP
What we love
- -Powertrain has more zip than you expect
- -Cute little design details
- -Very energy efficient
What we don't
- -Hard plastics a letdown at this price point
- -Firm ride quality
- -Three-year warranty only
9.Abarth 500e
7.2
2 badges available
$58,900 - $60,500*MRLP
What we love
- -Sporty, upscale Abarth interior details
- -Comfort and safety not previously seen in an Abarth hatch
- -Unmatched for exuberant attitude
What we don't
- -Narrow cabin, with some cheap finishes
- -Limited driving range
- -Sound Generator is a fun idea, poorly implemented
10.Nissan LEAF
7.0
1 badge available
$50,990 - $61,490*MRLP
What we love
- -Easy to hit the energy-efficiency claim
- -A natural commuter
- -e-Pedal mode maximises energy regen
What we don't
- -Interior is starting to date, multimedia screen particularly
- -Driving position lacks flexibility
- -Back seat passengers don't get air vents, footroom or an armrest
Drive's Best Cars
Drive's team of experts reviews and rates hundreds of the latest models each year to help you find your next new car. Browse our Best Car lists to discover how different models rank against each other and what our team loves and doesn't love about these top-rating vehicles.
* ‘MRLP’ is the manufacturer’s recommended list price as provided by our data provider and is subject to change, so is provided to you for indicative purposes only. Please note that MRLP is inclusive of GST, but is exclusive of any options and does not include on-road costs such as registration, CTP, stamp duty and dealer delivery. Where an MRLP is stated as a price range, this reflects the lowest to highest MRLP provided for that model range across the available variants.
Subscribe to Drive
Latest news, reviews and offers.
