If you're shopping for an affordable electric crossover, chances are high that you've either got a growing family and want something economical to perform the school runs and your various errands, or you're ditching combustion power but still want a vehicle that delivers a strong and rugged image.
Whatever the case may be, these cars are perfectly sized to ensure that you'll be able to squeeze them through a tight multi-storey, while still offering good levels of space for passengers and the grocery run.
In this series, the Editorial Team will explore different segments of the car market. We'll highlight some picks that you should consider, and also breakdown some of the pros and cons you should look out for.
Here are our Editorial Picks for the segment. (All prices correct at time of publishing.)
Popular pick: Atto 3
Price: $164,388
Depreciation: $16,000/yr
You see them everywhere on our roads, and there's a good reason why. The Atto 3 is not only interesting to look at from the outside, but mighty flamboyant even when viewed from within thanks to its muscle fibre-inspired dashboard and the guzheng-inspired strings on its door cards.
And the car is more than just a looker: There's also a massive 15.6-inch infotainment screen in its cabin, which will come in handy when you're navigating or parking, while its 60.5kWh battery should be good for close to 420km or range before you need to visit a charging station.
The BYD Atto 3 comes with an eight-year/160,000km warranty on its high-voltage battery, alongside an eight-year/150,000km warranty for its drive unit.
Pros:
• Comfort-oriented ride
• Distinctive design inside and out
Cons:
• Not the most engaging drive
A more discreet option: MG ZS EV
Price: $177,888
Depreciation: $18,000/yr
If you'd rather fly under the radar and find that Atto 3 a little too much design wise, this MG ZS EV is one great alternative. This electric SUV comes with a more conventional design inside and out, and there's good space for those seated at the rear.
You'll want to note, however, that the MG ZS comes with only a 50.3kWh battery, which isn't particularly competitive for the category, but the car does cone with one of the highest direct current charging power of 100kW amongst the four gathered here. Expect to be able to cover just close to 320km between charging sessions.
The MG ZS EV comes with a five-year/150,000km vehicle warranty alongside an eight-year/150,000km battery warranty.
Pros:
• Sleek and elegant exterior design
• Legible instrument cluster
• 100kW direct current maximum charging speed
Cons:
• Rivals come with a larger battery
• Most expensive of this group
Read our review of the MG ZS EV
Most stylish pick: Omoda E5
Price: $161,888
Depreciation: : $16,000/yr
This one is sure to become a conversation starter at the next family reunion. The Omoda brand is relatively new here in Singapore, and its first offering here is this E5.
Highlights of the car include its futuristic exterior design, the 24.6-inch curved screen in its cabin, as well as the fact that it comes with 50W inductive smartphone charger. It's healthy 340Nm of peak torque make it easy to drive regardless of traffic conditions, and its ride should be agreeable for all but the fussiest of passengers.
The Omoda E5 comes with a 10-year battery warranty alongside a seven-year vehicle warranty.
Pros:
• Premium material use in its cabin
• Comfort-oriented ride
Cons:
• Rearward visibility is compromised by the sloping roofline
Read our review of the Omoda E5
Used option: Citroen e-C4
Depreciation: ~$14,000/yr
If you're shopping for something a little different but don't want to pay a premium for exclusivity, there's the Citroen e-C4 to consider. The e-C4 comes equipped with some cushy seats and an equally cushy suspension, so comfort in this car is practically assured.
And it comes with a coupe-like gently sloping roofline at the rear too, which is a very in-trend design touch. We did, however, find that the car came with some wide door sills, which might make ingress and egress difficult for the elderly.
Pros:
• Coupe crossover design, at a reasonable price
• Quality ride
• 100kW maximum charging power
Cons:
• Not as fast as equally powerful rivals
You can see available listings of this model here, and also read our review of the car here.
