Is it worth waiting for Kia EV6 or Tesla Model Y when you could possibly have a Subaru Solterra sooner?

Next year is shaping up to be a massive year for electric vehicle launches in Australia, with some major brands set to finally enter the EV race.

Focusing on the electric family SUV segment, there are already a number of highly regarded EVs on sale, but many have lengthy wait times.

With the delays many manufacturers are experiencing as a result of parts shortages and supply chain dramas, it’s hard to know whether to order an EV that’s already on sale now, or wait for one of the upcoming new models.

So let’s take a look at what you can buy now and what you’ll be waiting for.

Taking information from mid-September 2022, it looks like the Tesla Model Y has the shortest wait times of the electric medium SUV brigade.

The Tesla website is showing a delivery timeframe of between February and May 2023 for a Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive (from $72,300 before on-road costs), if ordered now.

If it lands in the earlier part of that timeframe, it means your new Model Y could be in your driveway in five months.

Unsurprisingly, the more potent - and more expensive - Model Y Performance (from $96,700) has a longer wait time, with deliveries expected between April and June next year.

Kia EV6.

All examples of the Tesla Model Y, and the related Model 3 sedan, are now sourced from China for the Australian market.

While five months seems like a long time to wait for a car - and it is by pre-pandemic standards - it’s less than some of the Model Y’s rivals.

One of the most successful new-model launches this year has been the Kia EV6. Kia sold its allocation soon after it went on sale and there is now a backlog.

In a statement to CarsGuide, Kia Australia highlighted the challenges of specifying precise wait times for the EV6, given the fluctuating production situation, as well as considerations such as trim and colour combinations, shipping schedules, and existing backorders.

However, the company said that if someone ordered an EV6 today, delivery could take up to 12 months, although it could be less depending on the grade.

Subaru Solterra.

Kia also confirmed that it is expecting a total of 700 units of EV6 in 2022, up by 200 over the initial allocation of 500 that was announced in February.

Korean sister brand Hyundai will release another batch of its popular Ioniq 5 EV in October or November this year, but it is unclear how many will be offered in this next release.

Hyundai has taken a different approach to some carmakers by having staggered batch releases for the Ioniq 5 to cope with unprecedented demand. The last release was in August when 135 examples were quickly snapped up by keen buyers.

There are a couple of other significant electric family SUVs of similar dimensions that will lob next year too.

Toyota bZ4X.

The Subaru Solterra and Toyota bZ4X were developed together and are mechanical twins, but it is the Subaru-badged model that will arrive in showrooms first, with the initial allocation confirmed to land in mid-2023.

Pricing and spec is yet to be announced, and it’s unclear when Subaru Australia will officially open the order books for Solterra.

Toyota fans might face a longer wait. So far Toyota has only confirmed that the bZ4X will come to Australia, but the company is yet to announce firm timing. However, it is expected to land before the end of 2023.

Given the Solterra’s timing, and the wait times for some versions of the EV6 and Model Y, it’s entirely possible that Subaru will arrive before many of its rivals that are already on sale.

Of course that will depend largely on Subaru Australia’s ability to source sufficient stock of the Solterra in preparation for the launch.