Best Cars for Salary Sacrifice in Australia 2026 — EVs That Save the Most
Top 15 electric vehicles ranked by total novated lease savings in Australia for 2026. Find out which EVs save you the most money on salary sacrifice.
How we ranked the best salary sacrifice cars
To determine the best cars for salary sacrifice in Australia, we ranked 15 EVs by total 5-year savings — the difference between what you pay through a novated lease versus buying the same car on a standard car loan. This captures the full financial benefit: income tax savings from pre-tax salary sacrifice, GST savings on purchase and running costs, FBT exemption savings, and bundled running cost efficiencies. We used standardised assumptions: $85,000 gross salary (close to the Australian average full-time wage plus typical overtime), 5-year novated lease term, 15,000 km per year, comprehensive running cost bundle (insurance, registration, servicing, tyres, home charging), and competitive salary packaging provider rates. The 'total 5-year saving' figure represents how much less the novated lease costs versus a standard 7.5% car loan with separately paid running costs — in other words, the dollar amount you keep in your pocket by choosing a novated lease. Use our Take Home Pay Calculator and Salary Sacrifice Calculator to model these figures for your exact salary, as the savings scale with your marginal tax rate.
1. BYD Dolphin Dynamic — $27,800 total saving over 5 years
The BYD Dolphin Dynamic tops our rankings as the best salary sacrifice car in Australia for 2026, saving approximately $27,800 over 5 years compared to a standard car loan at $85,000 salary. Driveaway price: $33,990. Annual novated lease package cost: $10,200. Monthly take-home pay impact: $398. The Dolphin wins because its low purchase price minimises the total amount financed, while the FBT exemption and income tax savings remain proportionally the same as more expensive EVs. On a percentage basis, the tax benefit covers a larger share of the Dolphin's total cost than any other EV — you are effectively getting a government-subsidised car for under $400 per month. The Dolphin Dynamic delivers 340 km WLTP range, a 6-year warranty, and a well-equipped interior. It is not the most spacious or longest-range EV, but on pure dollars-saved, nothing beats it. For singles, couples, or households needing a second car, the Dolphin is the mathematically optimal novated lease choice.
2. MG4 Excite 51 — $27,200 saving | 3. GWM Ora Standard Range — $26,400 saving
In second place, the MG4 Excite 51 ($33,990 driveaway) saves approximately $27,200 over 5 years. It matches the Dolphin on price but has marginally higher insurance costs in most states, which slightly reduces the net saving. The MG4 offers an engaging driving experience, 350 km range, and a 7-year unlimited km warranty. Monthly take-home impact: $408. Third place goes to the GWM Ora Standard Range ($35,990 driveaway) with approximately $26,400 in 5-year savings. The Ora's unique retro styling appeals to a different buyer, and its 310 km range is slightly lower than the top two, but adequate for daily use. Monthly take-home impact: $425. These three sub-$36,000 EVs represent the value sweet spot for novated leasing. All three cost less per month than running a mid-spec petrol hatchback (like a Mazda 3 or Toyota Corolla) when you include fuel, servicing, and insurance. The fact that you are driving a brand-new car with a full warranty, zero fuel costs, and no surprise maintenance bills, all for under $430 per month, demonstrates why EV novated leasing has exploded in popularity.
4. BYD Atto 3 Standard Range — $25,900 | 5. BYD Dolphin Extended Range — $25,600
Fourth: BYD Atto 3 Standard Range at $39,381 driveaway, saving approximately $25,900 over 5 years. Monthly take-home impact: $438. This is where you step up to a proper SUV body — the Atto 3 is the most popular novated lease car in Australia for good reason. It offers family-friendly space, 345 km range, and a comfortable ride. The Standard Range variant hits a sweet spot of affordability and practicality. Fifth: BYD Dolphin Extended Range at $38,890 driveaway, saving approximately $25,600 over 5 years. Monthly take-home impact: $442. The Extended Range Dolphin pushes range to 427 km, making it a genuine option for longer trips and reducing range anxiety for new EV owners. The choice between the Atto 3 Standard Range and Dolphin Extended Range comes down to space vs range — the Atto 3 is physically larger with more boot space, while the Dolphin Extended Range has more range in a smaller package. Both are exceptional value on novated lease, saving you over $25,000 compared to financing conventionally.
6–10: MG4 64, BYD Atto 3 Extended Range, Cupra Born, BYD Seal Dynamic, Tesla Model 3
Sixth: MG4 Excite 64 Extended Range ($38,990 driveaway), saving $25,300 over 5 years, monthly impact $448. Offers 450 km range and excellent dynamics. Seventh: BYD Atto 3 Extended Range ($44,381 driveaway), saving $24,100 over 5 years, monthly impact $472. The best-selling variant of Australia's most popular novated lease car — 420 km range, spacious, feature-rich. Eighth: Cupra Born ($46,990 driveaway), saving $23,200 over 5 years, monthly impact $488. European quality and design, 420 km range, standing out from the Chinese-brand dominated top 7. Ninth: BYD Seal Dynamic ($47,888 driveaway), saving $22,800 over 5 years, monthly impact $495. A full-size sedan with 520 km range and a premium interior — outstanding value per kilometre of range. Tenth: Tesla Model 3 RWD ($54,900 driveaway), saving $21,400 over 5 years, monthly impact $538. Despite being the most expensive in the top 10, the Tesla's Supercharger network access, strong resale value, and brand appeal make it a compelling choice. The resale value advantage means Tesla owners often recoup more at lease end when they pay the residual and sell the car — effectively increasing the total financial benefit beyond the lease term.
11–15: Hyundai Kona EV, Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, BYD Seal Premium, Hyundai Ioniq 5
Eleventh: Hyundai Kona Electric ($48,000 driveaway), saving $21,100 over 5 years, monthly impact $545. A practical small SUV with 454 km range and Hyundai's 5-year unlimited km warranty. Twelfth: Tesla Model Y RWD ($56,530 driveaway), saving $20,200 over 5 years, monthly impact $568. Australia's best-selling car overall — the Model Y offers unmatched practicality with a huge boot, seven-seat option, and Tesla's ecosystem. Thirteenth: Kia EV6 Air ($56,150 driveaway), saving $20,000 over 5 years, monthly impact $572. The EV6 offers stunning design, ultra-fast 800V charging (10–80% in 18 minutes), and a spacious interior. Fourteenth: BYD Seal Premium ($52,888 driveaway), saving $19,500 over 5 years, monthly impact $558. The Seal Premium adds heated and ventilated seats, a premium sound system, and advanced driver assistance over the Dynamic. Fifteenth: Hyundai Ioniq 5 ($53,500 driveaway), saving $19,200 over 5 years, monthly impact $565. The Ioniq 5's retro-futuristic design, 800V ultra-fast charging platform, and vehicle-to-load capability (power appliances from the car) make it a standout. All 15 cars save at least $19,000 over 5 years compared to a standard car loan on an $85,000 salary.
How your salary changes the rankings
The rankings above assume an $85,000 salary, but the order shifts slightly at different income levels. At $60,000 salary, the total 5-year savings are approximately 20–25% lower across all vehicles because the marginal tax rate is lower (30% vs 34.5%). The BYD Dolphin still tops the list, but total savings drop to approximately $21,000 compared to $27,800 at $85,000. The relative ranking stays the same because the tax rate reduction affects all vehicles proportionally. At $120,000 salary, total 5-year savings increase by approximately 10–12% compared to the $85,000 scenario because more income is taxed at 37%. The BYD Dolphin saving rises to approximately $30,500, and the Tesla Model 3 saving jumps to approximately $24,200. At $180,000+ salary (45% marginal rate), the savings are maximised. Total 5-year savings increase by 20–25% compared to the $85,000 scenario. At this income level, even premium EVs like the BMW iX1 ($67,900) and Mercedes EQA ($70,300) save over $20,000 on novated lease. The key insight is that the ranking of best value vehicles stays relatively stable across salary levels — cheaper cars always save more in absolute terms because the FBT exemption and GST savings are proportionally larger relative to the car's total cost.
Tips for maximising your salary sacrifice car savings
To get the absolute maximum benefit from salary sacrificing a car, follow these strategies. First, choose an EV — the FBT exemption is worth $4,000–$15,000 per year compared to a petrol car on novated lease. This is non-negotiable if you want the best savings. Second, do not overspend on the car. The cheapest EVs on our list deliver the highest percentage savings. Resist the temptation to upgrade to a more expensive model unless you genuinely need the extra features, range, or space. Third, get quotes from multiple salary packaging providers. Interest rates, management fees, and bundled running cost margins vary significantly. A 1% difference in interest rate on a $45,000 lease saves approximately $1,200 over 5 years. Fourth, set realistic kilometre estimates. Overestimating means you overpay on running costs; underestimating means excess km charges at lease end. Check your odometer history or use your car's trip computer to establish your actual annual driving distance. Fifth, consider a 4-year lease instead of 5-year if you can afford slightly higher monthly payments — you pay less total interest and can get into a newer, more efficient EV sooner. Sixth, install a home charger and include it in the novated lease package — this is a pre-tax expense that saves you money every time you charge. Seventh, use our Take Home Pay Calculator to verify the impact on your net pay before committing, and our Tax Calculator to understand your marginal tax rate and overall tax position.
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General information and estimates only — not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always verify with a licensed adviser or the ATO.
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