Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales are on the rise, but there’s not long left if you desire to rating significant savings.
The electrical vehicle (EV) Fringe Advantages Tax (FBT) exemption for novated lease vehicles is ending for PHEVs on April 1, 2025, which implies you’ve got lower than a month left to purchase and receive a brand new PHEV if you desire to make the most.
To be eligible for FBT exemptions, a brand new plug-in hybrid must fall under the Luxury Automotive Tax (LCT) threshold of $91,387 for fuel efficient vehicles – i.e. a vehicle that “doesn’t exceed 7.0L/100km” on the combined cycle.
With that criteria, we’ve asked the CarExpert team which eligible PHEV they’d buy no matter body style or vehicle type.
Listed below are a number of the PHEVs eligible for FBT exemptions in Australia:
Tell us which you’d pick within the comments below!
Marton Pettendy: Ford Ranger PHEV
This one’s a no brainer for me: the PHEV I’d buy is the Ford Ranger because I would like a brand new ute and it’s only about $3000 pricier than the XLT V6 that I might otherwise have bought.
What’s more, it blows the V6 away with 200kW-plus and circa-700Nm outputs, while sipping lower than 3.0L/100km, travelling almost 50km in EV mode and the flexibility to power electric devices contained in the cab and tray.
Yes, it arrives too late to get the PHEV FBT exemption and it’s a bit pricier than the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEVs, each of which supply double the EV range and longer warranties.
However the plug-in Ranger relies on the benchmark within the ute class, tows a full tonne greater than the BYD, has the backing of an enormous nationwide dealer network and is a known quantity that can probably outlast me.
Inquisitive about buying a Ford Ranger? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
James Wong: BYD Sealion 6 Essential
Should you’re wanting to get into a very good PHEV and never spend upwards of $60,000, it’s hard to beat the brand new entry-level BYD Sealion 6.
At $42,990 plus on-road costs or lower than $47,000 drive-away, it’s an absolute steal in comparison with similarly sized rivals – namely the rival Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV which starts some $15,000 higher.
It could have dropped just a few features from the outgoing Dynamic, however it covers all bases after which some with change to spare. Plus, it offers higher efficiency and EV driving range (~90km NEDC) than the top-spec Premium.
Given the essential counterargument for PHEVs is the worth premiums outweigh the efficiency and running cost gains, the Sealion 6 addresses the essential barrier for PHEV tech in Australia.
Inquisitive about buying a BYD Sealion 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
William Stopford: Cupra Formentor VZe
PHEV sales could also be experiencing major growth of late, but that is fuelled largely by BYD as we’ve actually lost quite a lot of PHEV options of late, from the BMW 3 Series to the Mercedes-Benz GLC and more recently the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Volvo S60, and all of Peugeot’s PHEVs.
The plain selection is the BYD Sealion 6 which has stormed up the sales charts, and is doing even higher than the last reasonably priced Chinese PHEV SUV, the MG HS.
I’ve yet to drive a Sealion 6, but I used to be impressed by how smooth BYD’s powertrain technology was within the Shark 6.
Then there’s the Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi’s pioneering plug-in, for which an update is coming soon with more power and range. It’s pricier than the BYD, but Mitsubishi too is an old hand at this PHEV business, and the Japanese brand has a wider dealer network, longer warranty, and offers a 3rd row in its mid-sized SUV PHEV.
Each models have benefited from an actual dearth of competition. Where are the PHEV versions of the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Toyota RAV4 offered overseas?
Each the Sealion 6 and Outlander PHEV are the apparent, sensible options, which explains why they were the most well-liked and second hottest PHEVs in Australia last yr.
At the danger of being boring though, I’ll throw my vote to the Cupra Formentor VZe again. It’s also receiving a longer-range update imminently and while it’s smaller than the BYD and Mitsubishi, it’s stylish and drives well.
It’s the PHEV I can picture in my garage, but I can understand why the BYD and Mitsubishi are way more common on our roads.
Inquisitive about buying a Cupra Formentor? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
Jordan Mulach: BYD Sealion 6
Yes, it’s a mid-size SUV, however the Sealion 6 will mobilise the masses with plug-in hybrid technology unlike any automobile before it.
Not only is it well priced but in addition well equipped, and it doesn’t hurt that it’s got an electrical driving range which might make many wonder why they’d ever consider an EV.
Inquisitive about buying a BYD Sealion 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
Sean Lander: Ford Ranger XLT PHEV
I’m torn between the Shark 6 and the Ranger PHEV – on one hand, the Shark is all of the PHEV one could ever need.
It’s fast, comfortable and has an important EV range. But I need a ute to do ute things and customarily ute in regards to the place.
So it’s the Ranger PHEV XLT for me.
Yes, it’s a good lick costlier than the Shark and yes, it’s battery is way smaller. But, I do know it’ll be dependable, it’ll take abuse and it still has the mod-cons I enjoy in a automobile. Plus I just really like Rangers.
It could never be a substitute for my XR8 ute, however it’s about as close as now we have got so far without moving into the US pick-ups.
Inquisitive about buying a Ford Ranger? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
Jack Quick: BYD Shark 6
I’ve said this before, however the Shark 6 has revolutionised how I perceive and experience a dual-cab ute.
The essential thing that stood out to me was how quiet the thing is when driving on EV power. I’m used to hearing and feeling the agricultural clatter of a diesel engine from under the bonnet, so it’s a refreshing change.
Also, this ute has 100km of claimed EV range, at the least in response to lenient NEDC testing, which is gobsmacking.
Then there’s the ability. As Paul demonstrated in his video, the Shark 6 is able to beating a Ranger Raptor in a drag race. It’s likely a bit of an excessive amount of for the typical Joe, however it’s fun to flex this every now and then.
Lastly, in comparison with other utes, the Shark 6 is luxuriously appointed for the appealing price point of $57,990 before on-roads. There’s not much on the market that provides as much as this ute for the worth tag.
Before you jump on my back within the comments, the Shark 6 definitely won’t be for everybody, but which automobile ever is?
Inquisitive about buying a BYD Shark 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
Max Davies: Cupra Leon VZe
Given its top-class comfort and ride quality, I might’ve gone for the Formentor VZe, but I believe I’d prefer to downsize and go for the plug-in Leon as an alternative.
Having driven a hatchback day by day for the past few years, after which spent countless hours behind the wheels of assorted SUVs courtesy of CarExpert, I do know I much prefer a smaller body style.
Then there’s my recently realised sentiment that the Cupra Leon is considered one of the one recent cars I’d genuinely consider spending my money on at the moment, though my first preference can be the fast VZx.
So, I believe it is smart to mix the graceful – and still surprisingly rapid – PHEV drivetrain fitted to the Formentor VZe with the smaller and more nimble body of the Leon. Whilst you lose roughly 40kW of power in comparison with the VZx, the Leon VZe still has the identical 400Nm of torque and is supposedly way more fuel efficient.
Electric driving range isn’t terrible at a claimed 67km. The one drawback is that you may have to make do with only front-wheel drive, but there may be a wide selection of drive modes to harness its power nonetheless you’d like.
Greater than $60,000 before on-roads remains to be fairly steep though, and it could be higher to attend until the VW Group swaps out those annoying touch-control climate sliders.
Inquisitive about buying a Cupra Leon? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
Josh Nevett: BYD Shark 6
Let’s be real for a second – what quantity of Australian ute buyers actually refill the tray or tow a trailer? Sure, those individuals are probably higher off buying a Ranger, however the BYD Shark 6 is my top pick for the remaining.
It’s unlike some other ute I’ve experienced. The plug-in hybrid powertrain provides performance that rivals could only dream of – BYD claims the Shark 6 can do the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.7 seconds, making it quicker than a Ranger Raptor.
And while you’re done smoking an overconfident tradie from the lights, you agree in for as much as 100km of electric-only driving. The inside is comfortable and well-equipped, trimmed in materials normally reserved for top-tier dual-cabs.
The Shark 6 also offers V2L charging capability, so you possibly can power a wide selection of appliances and tools together with your vehicle, battery charge permitting.
All for the neat sum of $57,900 before on-road costs – the identical as a mid-spec Ranger or Toyota HiLux. Sign me up!
Inquisitive about buying a BYD Shark 6? Get in contact with considered one of our trusted dealers here
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
