Drive Car of the Year 2024 – Best Luxury Electric Vehicle Under $150K

Over the next few weeks, we'll be explaining all the categories and contenders for Drive Car of the Year 2024. Testing is currently underway, with the final winners to be announced early next year.

Drive Car of the Year 2024

Now in its 18th 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 analyse the strengths and weaknesses of every car to find the cream of the automotive crop.

Read more: 

Drive Car of the Year 2024 is a go!

Drive Car of the Year Overview

Drive Car of the Year 2023 winners

This is the category where the cream of the battery electric crop shines: Drive Car of the Year Best Luxury Electric Vehicle Under $150K.

Good value BEVs that are still among the best for luxury, and class and offer the latest safety and technology are all assessed here. Only one can be named the Best in class.

This is effectively a carry-over category but has now introduced a $150,000 price cap. This means that the BMW i7, last year’s winner, is unfortunately knocked out by its $306,000 starting price.

This still leaves us with some appealing options to challenge for the title this year. 

There is the BMW i4, an engaging and practical five-door hatch with outstanding dynamics, comfort and impressive performance numbers — perhaps challenged here most by another BMW – the BMW iX, which has an imposing presence, exceptional driving range, space and quirky design language everywhere you look.

Then there’s the Lexus RZ, which sticks close to the Lexus luxury ethos and allows rear occupants a supremely comfortable space with generous legroom.

The Mercedes-Benz EQE in 300 or 350 form (sadly the gut-wrenchingly quick EQE AMG 53 is knocked out on price) serves up a tasty mix of huge driving range, excellent, absorbent ride and undeniably spacious cabin.

Let’s not forget the Ford Mustang Mach E, the vehicle that redefines what Mustang means. This is an SUV that has a