You can now buy an EV for $25,000 and there’s a wide range of electric cars and SUVs for less than $45K from BYD, MG, GWM, Chery and other brands. Here are the cheapest EVs to buy in Australia right now.
Motoring
New cars coming to Australia in 2026
Important new SUVs, utes and cars from the biggest auto brands are coming to Australia in 2026, bringing the latest tech and in some cases the cheapest prices with EV and hybrid powertrains leading the way.
The major car brands are gearing up to offer Australian buyers significant new models in 2026, targeting the most popular segments including small, medium and large family SUVs, 4x4 utes and small and medium hatchbacks and sedans.
These range from the cheapest EVs and price-leading premium 4WDs to cars that represent the biggest step forward for a brand in decades. The high-tech new BMW iX3 is a case in point, while the Australian-engineered Ford Ranger Super Duty answers a loud, specific call from caravaners, tradies and off-road enthusiasts alike.
In such a diverse market, traditional diesel and petrol engines are still prevalent, but battery-electric and hybrid powertrains have become top priorities – as seen with the first-ever Toyota HiLux EV.
Here are 10 important new cars worth considering in 2026, all from well-known carmakers that are shifting the needle with Aussie consumers front of mind.
More: Research and compare new cars, SUVs and utes on sale today in Australia
In this article
BMW iX3
The 2026 BMW iX3 is the most important new BMW model in decades, heralding the ‘Neue Klasse’ family of electric vehicles with next-level tech, longer driving ranges, faster charging speeds and a fresh design inside and out.
First Australian deliveries are due to start mid-2026, opening with the BMW iX3 50 xDrive in a powerful 345kW/645Nm dual-motor/all-wheel-drive configuration that draws energy from a 108kWh high-voltage battery. Using a new 800V electrical architecture, the iX3 50 xDrive has an incredible claimed driving range of 805km, based on the WLTP standard.
It can also handle charging speeds up to 400kW, adding more than 350km of range in just 10 minutes and needing just 21min to replenish the power pack from 10 to 80 per cent, according to BMW – all figures that add up to a game-changing new EV from the Bavarian brand.
More: 2026 BMW iX3 preview
More: Research and compare BMW electric cars on sale today
Ford Ranger Super Duty
The Australian-engineered Ford Ranger ute is the biggest-selling new vehicle Down Under and now has even broader appeal with the announcement of a long-awaited heavier-duty version that improves its towing capacity, payloads and off-road capabilities.
The 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty features a 4500kg braked towing capacity, 4500kg gross vehicle mass (GVM) and 8000kg gross combination mass (GCM) – significant steps up for the V6 diesel-powered ute that derive from substantial upgrades. These include a stronger chassis, raised suspension, larger 130-litre fuel tank, extra undercarriage protection and 18-inch steel wheels with all-terrain tyres.
It doesn’t come cheap, but tradies, caravaners, 4x4 enthusiasts and others who need wider margins and a greater skillset from their mid-size ute are sure to be drawn to Ranger Super Duty. Single, extra and dual cab chassis variants are now reaching dealerships, while pick-up models are due mid-2026.
More: 2026 Ford Ranger Super Duty preview
More: Research and compare Ford Ranger models on sale today
Toyota RAV4
The 2026 Toyota RAV4 heralds a new sixth generation for Australia’s favourite SUV, offering a plug-in hybrid powertrain option for the first time. It will also usher in a performance-oriented GR Sport flagship model and bring much-needed improvements across the entire RAV4 range – fresh looks, revamped interior, uprated tech and higher-level safety features.
The Toyota RAV4 PHEV uses a 2.5-litre petrol engine with either a single-motor/front-wheel drive layout (220kW combined) or dual-motor/AWD configuration (227kW), both drawing energy from a 22.7kWh lithium-ion battery that enables a claimed EV-only driving range of up to 100km (WLTP). The regular non-plug-in hybrid is an upgraded version of the current 2.5-litre petrol-electric unit, producing 143kW for both 2WD and 4WD variants.
Due to reach dealerships in March 2026, the new Toyota RAV4 is now available to pre-order and carries a price premium over the outgoing range, starting from $45,990 plus on-road costs for the GX Hybrid 2WD and climbing as high as $66,340 plus ORCs for the GR Sport PHEV AWD.
More: 2026 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and PHEV preview
More: Research and compare Toyota RAV4 models on sale today
BYD Atto 1
The 2026 BYD Atto 1 is a pint-sized four-seater hatchback with a massive drawcard – a starting price of $23,990 (plus on-road costs), which makes it Australia’s cheapest EV. That it’s also cute, comfortable, spacious for its size, well equipped and fun to drive are further reasons to consider the Atto 1, which is just beginning to arrive in showrooms.
That headline price for the base BYD Atto 1 Essential brings a 65kW electric motor and 30kWh battery that offers a claimed 220km range (WLTP), while an extra $4000 for the Atto 1 Premium has a more powerful 115kW e-motor and 43kWh power pack offering a claimed 310km between charges.
If Atto 1 proves too small, consider a raft of other new models coming from the fast-growing Chinese carmaker, which is now placed among the top 10 brands in Australia. The 2026 BYD Atto 2 small electric SUV, budget-oriented BYD Sealion 5 plug-in hybrid medium SUV and the brand’s first-ever three-row large family SUV – the BYD Sealion 8 PHEV – are all coming soon to shake things up in Australia’s biggest-selling market segment.
More: 2026 BYD Atto 1 preview
More: Research and compare BYD models on sale today
Denza B5
As BYD scales the charts in Australia, the Chinese auto giant is also moving into the prestige car sector with its standalone Denza brand, starting in the premium 4x4 SUV segment with the 2026 Denza B5.
Aiming to steamroll all-terrain competitors like the Lexus GX and Range Rover Sport, and steal sales from the dominant Toyota LandCruiser Prado, the Denza B5 sits on the same rugged ladder-frame chassis as the BYD Shark ute and is loaded with off-road hardware and tech, including 16 driving modes and a clever ‘Leopard Turn’ that pivots the vehicle on its inside rear wheel to help with navigating narrow trails. The B5 also uses a strong-performing 425kW plug-in hybrid powertrain, benefits from local suspension tuning and has a 3000kg braked towing capacity.
Overall, the Denza B5 fulfils the brief as a luxurious, comfortable, spacious and competent 4x4 off-road wagon, open-road tourer and suburban family chariot that has a 90km claimed EV range (WLTP). Pricing from around $80,000 is icing on the cake, while a bigger three-row Denza B8 is also available to order ahead of first customer deliveries for both SUVs in the first half of 2026.
More: 2026 Denza B5 and B8 preview
More: Research and compare 4x4 off-road models on sale today
The 2026 Hyundai Elexio EV will slot into the popular medium SUV category as a rival for the best-selling Tesla Model Y.
Hyundai Elexio
The new 2026 Hyundai Elexio will fill a gaping hole in the Korean brand’s EV model range, slotting into the top-selling medium family SUV segment where the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5 dominate sales.
Indeed, the Elexio is a close relation to the Kia EV5, sharing its E-GMP electric car platform (also found in the Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 9) and hailing from the same production plant in China. It will, however, stand alone with its unique looks, local suspension tuning, interior packaging and advanced tech suite.
Due to launch in Australia in the first quarter of 2026, the Hyundai Elexio will feature a 27-inch high-definition widescreen display and will also be competitive on the EV powertrain front, claiming a 500km-plus range (WLTP) from its 88.1kWh battery.
More: 2026 Hyundai Elexio preview
More: Research and compare Hyundai EVs on sale today
Australian designers and engineers had significant input into the new 2026 Toyota HiLux.
Toyota HiLux
The Toyota HiLux is a dominant force in Australia, standing at or near the top of the sales charts for much of the past decade, so the arrival of a new generation is big news.
What’s more, the 2026 Toyota HiLux has received extensive Australian design and engineering input, long-overdue tech, a complete cabin overhaul and the first-ever battery-electric powertrain for the medium-sized ute. A diesel engine carries over, and is now available to order, while the dual-motor/4x4 EV – which will have a limited range of about 300km – is set to arrive during the first half, pitched at fleet operators.
Toyota hasn’t ruled out a hybrid powertrain for HiLux, as found in the forthcoming 2026 Toyota LandCruiser Hybrid, but there’s no timeline for its introduction. It has, however, confirmed that a hydrogen fuel-cell electric HiLux FCEV will be launched in 2028.
More: 2026 Toyota HiLux preview
More: Research and compare Toyota HiLux models on sale today
The 2026 Kia EV4, shown here in GT-Line Fastback (hatchback) guise, will aim to steal sales from the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal.
Kia EV4
Kia is churning out some of the best EVs on the Australian market – not the cheapest, but cars that are well regarded – so there’s a lot riding on the 2026 Kia EV4 electric mid-size sedan and hatchback (or fastback).
Staging a two-pronged attack on the Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal electric sedans, Kia is preparing to launch the European-bred EV4 from early 2026 and looks set to fire its first salvo with an opening price below $50,000. A high-performance EV4 GT is also in the works.
That could put the squeeze on the Kia EV6 crossover, so we’ll wait and see how the South Korean brand handles its burgeoning EV range. But the sleek EV4 promises to be a compelling new entrant with its front-mounted 150kW e-motor combined with either a 58.3kWh or longer-range 81.4kWh battery, the latter claimed to offer up to 633km range in the hatch on the WLTP standard. It also has Vehicle to Load (V2L) and Vehicle to Grid (V2G) capabilities.
More: 2026 Kia EV4 preview
More: Research and compare Kia EVs on sale today
The 2026 Nissan Navara uses Australian-made dampers as part of its unique local suspension tuning program.
Nissan Navara
The new-generation 2026 Nissan Navara is due to arrive in March and is a close relation to the latest Mitsubishi Triton. That means a lot of the improvements brought with the accomplished Triton now transfer to Navara, while Nissan has also added some unique elements to its new 4x4 dual cab ute.
There’s a fresh front-end design, but the most striking element to the new D27 Navara should be its driving performance, thanks to local suspension tuning from Nissan’s Australian engineering partner, Premcar. This is expected to produce a better ride and handling balance compared to the outgoing Navara, both unladen and with a load onboard, in conjunction with the switch back to a leaf-sprung rear suspension.
Also look out for an all-new Nissan Navara Warrior flagship later in 2026, again developed in collaboration with Melbourne-based Premcar.
More: 2026 Nissan Navara preview
More: Research and compare Nissan Navara models on sale today
The 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is the most off-road-capable SUV the brand has ever put into series production.
Subaru Outback Wilderness
The seventh-generation 2026 Subaru Outback is now available to order ahead of first customer deliveries during the second quarter, with the long-awaited Subaru Outback Wilderness slotting in as a new hero model for the popular petrol-engined AWD wagon.
Wilderness models are expected to surface with the Subaru Forester and Crosstrek, too, but for now the new Outback serves as the template with off-road-specific features such as a higher ground clearance (240mm), electronically controlled dampers, extra body protection, Deep Snow/Mud driving mode and enhanced approach, departure and breakover angles.
These complement a full redesign inside and out for the entire Subaru Outback range, which includes the uncommon (but commendable) approach of bringing back physical controls that had been transferred to the touchscreen in the outgoing series. There’s still a lot of tech onboard, but the new Outback looks to have found a better balance overall.
More: 2026 Subaru Outback preview
More: Research and compare Subaru Outback models on sale today
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