EVs Now Own the Premium Family SUV Market — Here's What WA Buyers Need to Know

The premium mid-size SUV market has shifted faster than most people expected. Electric vehicles now account for over 61 per cent of sales in the over-$65,000 segment nationally, and the brands losing ground are the ones that have dominated Perth driveways for the past two decades.

If you're shopping in this space right now, the numbers matter — because they tell you where the value, the supply, and the long-term running costs are headed.

Tesla and Zeekr Are Running Away With It

The Tesla Model Y sits at the top of the entire segment with 6,719 sales recorded to the end of April 2025. That's not just the best-selling premium mid-size SUV in Australia — it's the country's best-selling EV full stop.

Hot on its heels is the Zeekr 7X, which has clocked 2,698 sales despite only launching last year and dealing with constrained supply. For a brand most WA buyers hadn't heard of 18 months ago, that's a remarkable result. The Kia EV6's stablemate, the **Kia EV5**, rounds out the top three with 1,942 sales — nudging ahead of the Lexus NX (1,874) and Mazda CX-60 (1,804).

Across the full segment, 20 electric variants are now on sale, combining for roughly 16,289 out of 26,558 total sales. The Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC are still selling — but they're no longer setting the pace.

One caveat: BMW, Genesis and Porsche don't split their sales figures between combustion and electric variants, so the real EV share could be even higher than the 61.3 per cent figure suggests.

What This Means If You're Buying in Perth

For WA buyers, the EV case in this segment is actually stronger than in most other states. Perth's fuel prices consistently sit among the highest in the country, and the city's sprawling layout — from Joondalup to Mandurah, Midland to the coast — means most daily driving is highway-speed commuting, where EVs are at their most efficient.

Home charging overnight using a standard 7kW wallbox works well for the vast majority of Perth metro drivers. If you're regularly heading further afield — Rockingham, the Hills, or weekend runs down to Margaret River — range and fast-charging infrastructure has improved enough that the Tesla Model Y and Zeekr 7X handle those trips without drama. The Zeekr 7X in particular carries an 800V architecture, meaning faster top-up times at compatible DC chargers.

Where WA buyers do need to think carefully is genuine outback use. If your driving includes remote runs into the Pilbara, Kimberley, or along the Nullarbor, charging infrastructure is still patchy enough that a premium combustion or hybrid SUV remains the more practical choice. The Lexus NX 350h or Mazda CX-60 PHEV are worth serious consideration in those situations.

The Segment Is Changing — Price Your Options Carefully

The flood of EV options into this price bracket is creating real pressure on resale values for older combustion luxury SUVs. If you're trading in a 2020–2022 BMW X3 or Audi Q5, get your valuation done sooner rather than later.

On the buying side, the competition is working in your favour. With the Model Y, Zeekr 7X, and Kia EV5 all competing hard for the same buyers, negotiating room and driveaway deal inclusions have opened up compared to 12 months ago.

WA's vehicle registration costs are calculated on engine capacity for combustion vehicles, which is another quiet financial advantage for EVs that rarely gets mentioned in the brochures.

The premium family SUV segment used to be safe, predictable European territory. Right now, it's the most competitive corner of the entire new-car market — and WA buyers are well-placed to take advantage of it.