Looking for the ultimate family electric SUV under $70,000? The electric midsize SUV market in Australia has exploded, offering over 20 viable options. To help families navigate this growing segment, we tested five top contenders—Tesla Model Y, Zeekr 7X, BYD Sealion 7, Kia EV5, and Skoda Enyaq—to determine which combines space, technology, driving dynamics, and value into the perfect package.
The Contenders
1. BYD Sealion 7 Premium – The budget-friendly choice with a big battery, rear-wheel drive, and a spacious cabin. Comfort-focused but not luxurious, with mid-market build quality. Pros: Quiet cabin, huge interior, heated/cooled leather seats. Cons: Convoluted infotainment and limited driver assistance options.
2. Skoda Enyaq – Our reigning 5-seat family EV champion. European styling, supportive seats, clever storage, and efficient performance. Pros: Comfortable, well-packaged interior, excellent driving feel. Cons: Scratchy plastics, noisy on coarse roads, grainy reverse camera.
3. Zeekr 7X – The luxury-minded newcomer backed by Chinese giant Geely. Plush cabin, soft seats, generous rear space, and impressive charging speed. Pros: Comfort, rapid 450 kW DC fast charging, easygoing ride. Cons: Occasional rattles, inconsistent lane-centering assist, loud air conditioning fan.
4. Kia EV5 Earth – The all-wheel-drive contender with strong sales. Easy-to-use controls and upright visibility, but compromised by firm suspension, noisy cabin, and limited energy efficiency. Pros: Intuitive controls, customizable regenerative braking. Cons: Poor ride at speed, annoying driver assistance alerts, no 360° camera.
5. Tesla Model Y – The default midsize EV choice, updated for better driving and refinement. Lightest of the group, quiet, spacious, with a huge boot and frunk. Pros: Smooth ride, intuitive cabin, excellent one-pedal driving, full self-driving option. Cons: Limited customization, rear visibility, small battery limits range to 408 km.
Interior Comfort & Usability
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BYD Sealion 7: Large, comfortable seats with mid-market presentation; infotainment can frustrate.
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Skoda Enyaq: Supportive rear seats, clever storage, ergonomic front seats; less plush than Chinese rivals.
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Zeekr 7X: Plush, vinyl-covered front seats, large rear doors, soft materials; minor build-quality quirks.
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Kia EV5: Straightforward controls, but secondary materials feel cheap; firm ride and noisy cabin.
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Tesla Model Y: Minimalist cabin, intuitive interface, generous storage; one-pedal driving is excellent.
Daily Comfort & Driving Experience
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BYD Sealion 7: Quiet, but limited rear visibility and lane assist quirks.
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Skoda Enyaq: Smooth ride, strong torque, European driving feel.
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Zeekr 7X: Plush, relaxed, fun to drive; lane centering assist occasionally fails.
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Kia EV5: Boxy, light feel; firm, noisy, torque steer issues.
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Tesla Model Y: Quiet, airy, smooth ride, excellent balance in corners; refined handling and lightest weight make it the standout.
Range, Charging & Efficiency
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Zeekr 7X: 450 kW DC fast charging, fastest to 80% in 13 minutes; supports 22 kW AC charging.
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Tesla Model Y: Quick 24-minute charging; 408 km range.
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Skoda Enyaq: 547 km WLTP range, closest to real-world efficiency.
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BYD Sealion 7 & Kia EV5: Less efficient, consuming 19.6–20 kWh/100 km.
Maintenance, Warranties & Depreciation
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Tesla: Maintenance under $1,000 over 5 years; 5-year unlimited km warranty; lowest residual value.
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Zeekr 7X: $2,385 over 5 years; competitive warranty.
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Skoda & Kia: 7-year warranties; Skoda also offers 8-year high-voltage battery warranty.
Performance & Driving Dynamics
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BYD Sealion 7: Rear-wheel drive, lighter feel in corners; front suspension soft, rear stiff; pleasant but not precise.
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Skoda Enyaq: Smooth, considered ride; European driving experience; torque-rich and predictable.
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Zeekr 7X: Balanced, comfortable, fun to drive; more consistent than previous Zeekr X.
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Kia EV5: Heavy, torque steer, unsettled ride; components feel cobbled together.
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Tesla Model Y: Light, agile, smooth corners; forgiving yet rewarding handling; excellent 0–100 km/h performance.
Tesla Model Y Wins
Despite strong competition from the Zeekr 7X, the Tesla Model Y takes the crown. It offers a mature package with smooth handling, exceptional daily usability, and access to full self-driving. The Zeekr 7X is a close second, offering luxurious comfort, superior charging speeds, and excellent rear seating, making it worth a serious look.
The Skoda Enyaq remains an excellent family EV with efficient performance and familiar European handling, while the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5 trail behind due to ride, efficiency, and dynamic limitations.