The Polestar 4 has flexed its style and substance over a strong line-up of competitors to win the Best Electric Vehicle Under $90K category in the Drive Car of the Year 2026 awards
We’ll be honest with you, the Best Electric Vehicle Under $90K category was a tough call for the 2026 Drive Car of the Year awards. The volume and choice of electric vehicle options in Australia have ballooned in recent years, with many brands entering the buyer discussion in a value-centric part of the market, evidenced by 57 per cent of all EVs on sale being priced below $80K.
Looking more closely at the cars pitched in that $60,000-$90,000 price band – the emphasis of this category – shows a significant number of cars with higher-specification variants or longer-range batteries somewhat outshined by their more sharply-priced siblings. And at the other end of the scale, you need to be dipping well into six figures for something with a High Street badge or real standout presence.
So what about electric vehicles that offer something just that little bit more, but still sit under the all-important LCT (Luxury Car Tax) threshold? And yes, the cars in this category can all still benefit from the current FBT (Fringe Benefit Tax) exemption if purchased on a novated lease.
Here then, the lens turns to a few standout vehicles which offer just a bit more for those looking to spend a bit… more. They are all part of the Geely Automotive family tree.
While judges were looking for cars that exhibited that extra spice of ‘more’, the electric platform itself was of significant importance, as was the overall packaging and luxurious feel of the car.
The Zeekr 7X Performance presents numbers that seem to defy its price positioning. The all-wheel drive 7X features an 800-volt electric architecture that has the potential to recharge at a wild 450kW – meaning just 15 minutes to give it a charge from 10-80 per cent. It offers 475kW output from its twin motors and up to 543km driving range from the 100kW battery, all for just $72,900 before on-road costs.
There’s a lot of space and tech in the 7X Performance too, but Drive judges found the car better at its sub-$60K level, where it represents even better value for money.
One of the newest cars in the whole Drive Car of the Year field, the Volvo ES90 Plus, is also built on an 800-volt electrical system, which, for the single-motor variant, can charge at up to 300kW. It’s smooth, stylish and quiet, but doesn’t quite carry that ‘Volvo-ness’ into the future, with a few useability foibles and curious implementation choices.
It’s a good-looking thing, though, providing you can get past the ‘London Taxi’ LiDAR array on the roof, and like the Zeekr, an impressive representation of the level of car you can get your hands on at this price point.
But while the Volvo and Zeekr are technically newer, the winner of the 2026 Drive Car of the Year Best Electric Vehicle Under $90K is a car that simply feels most polished and complete.
Drive's pick: Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor with Plus Pack – $86,500 before on-road costs
Polestar 4 key facts:
- 100kWh battery with 620km range
- 200kW output from rear electric motor
- 200kW max charging speed
Why the Polestar 4 won:
- Stunning presence both inside and out
- Quiet, smooth and highly efficient driveline
- Impressive use of materials to add character and save weight
The Polestar 4 turned heads when it first landed in Australia in late 2024, and continues to do so every day since. This is a simply stunningly designed car, both inside and out.
Built on a 400-volt electrical system, the Polestar’s long-range 100kWh battery and single electric motor deliver 200kW output, but the slippery design and clever use of lightweight materials (it tips the scales 200kg less than the Volvo) give it an impressive real-world driving range of over 600km.
Plus, on our road loop testing, it returned the quietest cabin noise measurement of all the finalists.
The car’s simple and stylish interior feels classy for both front and rear occupants, and even the car’s ‘party trick’ of eschewing the rear window for a larger boot and better passenger headroom feels elegantly implemented – particularly when you are riding in the back.
Polestar offers a range of personalisation choices and configuration options for the ‘4, many of which allow you to build a pretty special car for less than the Luxury Car Tax threshold, making this one impressive statement for an executive novated lease.
The world is catching up, but the polished nature of the Polestar 4 is more than enough to keep it at the top of this field and make it worthy of the 2026 Drive Car of the Year Best Electric Vehicle under $90K category.
With over 20 years of experience in digital publishing, James Ward has worked within the automotive landscape since 2007 and brings experience from the publishing, manufacturer and lifestyle side of the industry together to spearhead Drive's multi-media content direction.
