New luxury electric cars coming to Australia in 2024

These are the luxury electric cars and SUVS bound for Australia in 2024. Which will be the most compelling for Aussie car buyers? Read on...

JUMP AHEAD

• Alfa Romeo Milano
• Audi Q4 E-Tron
• Audi Q6 E-Tron
• BMW iX2
• Cadillac Lyriq
• Lotus Eletre
• Maserati Grecale Folgore
• Mercedes-Benz EQA
• Mercedes-Benz EQB
• Mercedes-Maybach EQS
• Mini Cooper hatch
• Mini Countryman
• Polestar 3
• Polestar 4
• Porsche Macan E
• Range Rover electric
• Tesla Model Y
• Volvo EX30
• Volvo EX90

Alfa Romeo Milano

The 2024 Alfa Romeo Milano light SUV will debut globally in April, the brand has confirmed.

Joining the existing Giulia sedan, Stelvio mid-size SUV and Tonale small SUV in the Italian brand's line-up, the Milano will ride on Stellantis’s 'E-CMP' architecture shared with the Jeep Avenger, Fiat 600e and Peugeot E-2008.

An all-electric powertrain will be offered at launch – a first for the Alfa Romeo brand – while a more affordable 1.2-litre mild-hybrid petrol will likely be available in select markets.

The Milano name is derived from the city of Milan in Italy where Alfa Romeo was founded in 1910. The Alfa Romeo 75 was sold as the Milano in North America between 1985 and 1992.

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Audi Q4 E-Tron

The four-strong Q4 E-Tron range starts at $88,300 for the 45 grade (in Sportback or wagon body styles) with a 77kWh battery, single 210kW electric motor, a power tailgate, and LED headlights.

Audi's Sportback 55 E-Tron flagship costs $109,500 before on-road costs and gets twin motors with 250kW outputs, S Line exterior styling, Matrix LED headlights, and more.

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Audi Q6 E-Tron

The Audi Q6 E-Tron rides on the Volkswagen Group's new ground-up Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture shared with the forthcoming Porsche Macan EV, compared to the adapted internal-combustion MLB Evo platform found underneath the Q8 E-Tron.

Audi has confirmed it will be available in rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations with the Q6 E-Tron 55 accelerating from 0-100km/h in around six seconds, while the high-performance S flagship cuts it to 4.5 seconds.

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Click on the image for more teaser photos

Multiple battery sizes will also be offered, starting from about 100 kilowatt-hours, with up to 270kW DC ultra-rapid charging capabilities using the 800-volt class PPE architecture.

Similar to the unrelated Audi E-Tron GT electric sports sedan, it’ll be available with two separate charging ports at each side of the rear-quarter body – with only the left able to DC fast charge.

The Q6 E-Tron seemingly appears aesthetically similar to the large updated Q8 E-Tron, except for its split headlight arrangement. It's likely that the rally-like white alloys pictured won't feature in the final model, though.

It’s the first Volkswagen Group model to feature second-generation organic light-emitting diode (OLED) front and rear lights, with eight selectable digital light signature designs – provided owners select the feature package.

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BMW iX2

The first-ever iX2 will reach Australia in March 2024 as a fully electric companion to the second-gen X2, boasting bigger dimensions and more technology than the previous X2.

The new iX2 shares many similarities with the new X1 and iX1, including an identical platform, leaving styling and functionality as their key differentiators.

The X1/iX1 feature a more traditional design making them more practical overall, while the X2/iX2 models are focused on having a sportier presence.

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Cadillac Lyriq

After years of speculation and false starts, Cadillac will return to Australia in 2024 with the Lyriq SUV.

Set to spearhead a multi-model SUV assault, Aussie versions of the Lyriq will come standard with a dual-motor, AWD powertrain that brings a range of around 500km.

The Lyriq is keen to make a good impression even before you step into the cabin. Opening the front doors reveals illuminated sills featuring Cadillac in script next to a silhouette graphic of the Lyriq.

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The Lyriq’s cabin design is far off Tesla’s ultra-minimalist approach, yet, again, there’s more restraint than with your typical US SUV interior.

A 33-inch digital display dominates the dash, while the rest of the cabin feels premium thanks to Nappa leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and heated/ventilated/massaging seats.

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Lotus Eletre

The Lotus Eletre will mark the British brand’s first high-end electric SUV and all-new model under Chinese owner Geely, when it lands in Australia in the second quarter of 2024 (April to June inclusive).

Priced from $239,000 before on-road costs, the Eletre will rival premium and high-performance five-seater large electric vehicles, including the BMW iX, Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo, and upcoming Macan EV.

It adopts the all-new Lotus-developed Electric Premium Architecture (EPA), which will be shared with the Emeya electric sedan when it joins locally in 2025, and is made at Geely’s Wuhan factory in China.

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Maserati Folgore

The 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore has been unveiled as the pure-electric version of the company’s new mid-size SUV.

While full specifications will be announced closer to the car’s arrival, the Italian brand has revealed the Grecale Folgore will be fitted with a 105kWh battery and a 400-volt system – which should be enough to give the SUV a driving range on par with its petrol-powered counterparts.

Though yet to be confirmed, twin electric motors mounted on each axle are expected to send around 400kW and 800Nm to all four wheels, making it the most powerful Grecale within the stable.

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There’s little to distinguish the Grecale Folgore from the petrol GT, Modena, and Trofeo versions, other than a partially-blocked concave grille, tri-spoke style wheels, fender badges, and an exclusive copper paint colour.

Maserati says it will use a variety of recycled materials throughout the cabin, including a nylon called Econyl, derived from fishing nets.

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Mercedes-Benz EQA

Mercedes-Benz has updated its most attainable electric vehicles, the EQA and EQB, with tweaked designs, longer range and improved technology.

Both premium small electric SUVs gain the brand's signature three-pointed star pattern – in line with its newer EV offerings – across the closed front grille (in either black as standard or chrome on Electric Art and AMG Line variants), interior door trims, and on the dashboard.

The latter is backlit and corresponds with the colour-selectable ambient lighting.

There are also tweaked bumpers, touch-sensitive steering wheel and rim designs, plus new LED tail-lights with rounded bubble-like shapes on the EQA and sharper split segments on the EQB – reminiscent of the latest E-Class sedan and AMG GT coupe.

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Mercedes claims aerodynamic optimisations on the new EQA and EQB have extended driving range by up to nearly 40 kilometres, depending on the variant.

The boosted range is made possible by more roll-resistant tyres, an added edge on the rear wheel arches, and an integrated spoiler.

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Mercedes-Benz EQB

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Mercedes-Maybach EQS

The EQS 680 SUV becomes Maybach’s first-ever electric car; it wears the brand’s signature two-tone paintwork, monobloc-inspired alloy wheels, and even retains the luxury carmaker’s classy bonnet star.

Maybach claims 484kW/950Nm, all-wheel drive, and a circa-600km driving range, but when it comes to the EQS SUV, it’s more about luxury appointments than roving range or outright speed.

The front seats are heated, ventilated, and appointed in sustainably tanned Nappa leather in your choice of Espresso brown/Balao brown pearl or Macchiato beige/Bronze brown pearl. Optionally, Manufaktur grade Crystal white/Silver grey pearl is available.

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Manufaktur grade Crystal white/Silver grey pearl interior

And the back seat is really where you want to be, with twin 11.6-inch touchscreen mounted on the back of the seats with ‘MBUX high-end rear seat entertainment’ representing a step up from the regular Benz EQS.

It means rear passengers can modify navigation directions from the back seat, while the centre console has been redesigned to better flow into the rear quarters.

Mercedes-Maybach is claiming a provisional driving range of 600km, from the same 107.8kWh battery as the Benz EQS. It will fast-charge at up to 200kW, for a 10-80 per cent fast-charge in 30 minutes.

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Mini Cooper hatch

Both the 2024 Mini Cooper hatchback and more all-terrain-focused 2024 Mini Countryman are heading to Australia in the third quarter of 2024.

The brace of zero-emissions Minis marks the start of the company’s transition into an all-electric brand and is the first time the iconic models will be offered as electric-only.

Along with the model’s battery transition, all Mini three- and five-door variants will now be dubbed Cooper with the moniker no longer denoting engine or motor power output. Instead, the range will comprise Cooper E and Cooper SE to differentiate performance and maximum range.

With 135kW and 290Nm, the Cooper E can accelerate to 100km/h from a standstill in 7.3 seconds and has a WLTP range of 305km. With a larger battery, the SE ups the performance stakes with 160kW and 330Nm, cutting the milestone dash to 6.7 seconds while offering an extended range of 402km.

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Mini Countryman

With a peak power output of 230kW and 494Nm, the most potent Countryman for now can accelerate to 100 from zero in 5.6 seconds while its more power-hungry transmission reduces WLTP range to 433km.

Mini’s first crack at a fully electric Cooper received mixed reviews with most criticism stemming from its somewhat limited range that maxed out at about 180km, however, the new version addresses the problem with significantly improved charge capacity.

A dedicated electric platform is mostly to thank, whereas the outgoing Mini Cooper SE shared the combustion model’s chassis with electric parts borrowed from the BMW i3.

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Polestar 3

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Polestar 4

The Polestar 4 will join the list of rivals trying to beat Tesla's Model Y in 2024 with an entry point of $81,500.

Two models are listed, with the $81,500 Long Range Single Motor rear-wheel-drive Polestar 4 joined by a more powerful Long Range Dual Motor that costs from $92,150.

The Single Motor model brings outputs of 200kW and 343Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds. The Dual Motor doubles those outputs to 400kW and 686Nm, with Polestar quoting a sprint time of 3.8 seconds.

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Porsche Macan E

Porsche's first electric SUV has been priced for Australia, with the 2024 Macan 4 arriving later this year from $133,700.

Launching with two variants initially, the all-wheel-drive Macan 4 packs 300kW while the flagship Turbo develops a whopping 470kW and 1130Nm – enough to frighten a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N in a straight line.

This is Porsche's first outing of the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) underpinnings that boast 800-volt capability, twin-valve dampers, rear-wheel steer, and a 96kWh usable battery pack in the Macan.

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Although it's distinctively Porsche, the larger second-gen electric Macan has a few new details including Taycan-inspired lighting signatures and a rounder rear end.

Inside, Porsche has implemented a familiar layout and moved back to physical controls for the cabin vents – perhaps in response to the less-than-rosy reception of Taycan's digi-vents.

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Range Rover electric

Range Rover is yet to reveal the electric version of its signature luxury SUV, however it did release a single teaser image in December 2024.

The brand also opened the waiting list for the new model at the same time. Little else has been revealed about the Range Rover Electric, however, with no details available on battery capacity, outputs, or driving range.

But, given its mammoth dimensions, buyers can likely expect a battery pack larger than the BMW i7's 101.7kWh, with a claimed driving range upwards of 550 kilometres.

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Tesla Model Y

The Tesla Model Y electric SUV has received a minor refresh in China – but the changes are not yet confirmed for Australia.

The world’s best-selling electric car brings some new features from the facelifted Model 3 sedan – due in Australia in early 2024 – but also carries over previous features.

Under the unrealistic China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), the base Model Y RWD has gained nine kilometres more claimed driving range, while the mid-pack Long Range is up 28km.

For context, the current Model Y RWD offers 455km claimed range, Long Range at up to 533km, and the Performance is rated at up to 514km on the stricter Worldwide Harmonized Light-Duty Test Procedure (WLTP).

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The updated Model Y RWD is also one-second faster in the 0-100km/h acceleration time, with all variants being up to two kilograms heavier.

Therefore, it’s likely that the battery packs are unchanged as per the facelifted Model 3.

This means a 57.7kWh usable (60kWh gross) lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery on the RWD and a 75kWh usable (78.1kWh gross) nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) lithium-ion type battery on the Long Range and Performance, according to figures provided by EV Database [↗].

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Volvo EX30

Starting from $59,990, the Volvo EX30 will become Australia’s most affordable luxury battery SUV in early 2024 as part of the Swedish brand’s ambition to go all-electric locally by 2026.

Volvo Australia, at least for now, has elected not to introduce a 51kWh EX30 Standard Range that uses a more cost-effective lithium-ion phosphate (LFP) battery but has the shortest driving range at 344km.

The rear-drive EX30 models share a 200kW/343Nm electric motor said to deliver a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.3 second, and a 480km claimed range.

The all-wheel-drive EX30’s dual motors produce combined outputs 315kW and 543Nm to make it the quickest Volvo ever. The maximum range drops slightly to 460km.

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Volvo EX90

The 2024 Volvo EX90 electric SUV has been unveiled ahead of its expected Australian arrival in late 2024.

This dedicated EV platform is shared with the recently-revealed Polestar 3 and the upcoming Polestar 5.

At launch, one powertrain will be offered, while the latest technologies include bi-directional charging and a standard roof-mounted LiDAR scanner for full self-driving capability.

In Australia, the EX90 is tipped to launch in late 2024, with production commencing in the United States and China next year.

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