The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2024
31 Dec 2024|10,465 views
As the end of the year draws closer, it is time for us to review the year's experiences. Naturally, for the Editorial Team, it has to revolve around the cars that we have had the opportunity to drive, to get close and comfortable with.
Every year, we'll ask ourselves which are the most memorable drives, and every member of the Editorial Team would come up with a list of cars that we enjoyed. 2024 is quite different from the past years, as the influx of EVs has never been so apparent. EVs have gone from being the unconventional subjects of curiosity, to part of the regular programming.
I've dived into the list of our favourite cars of 2024, fully expecting the list to be filled end-to-end with EVs, but it wasn't the case! Colour me surprised, but it wasn't totally unexpected either - we are after all petrolheads. So without further ado, here's the list of our favourite cars of the year (sorted in alphabetical order).
A surprisingly polished entry-level EV at an excellent price point, the Aion Y Plus sure offers plenty of bang for your buck
The Aion Y Plus is the first car from the Chinese brand to be introduced in Singapore, and it has left quite an impression on the editorial team. There are several reasons why it resonated so well. For one, it is one of the, if not the most affordable electric crossover in the market.
What's impressive isn't just the excellent price point - this is a well-made product! Inside, the Aion Y Plus features a well-built interior with well-executed design. The spacious cabin is also well-equipped, featuring large screens with AI voice-assistant and smartphone connectivity.
This entry-level EV is surprisingly polished and offers lots of space and features to go with!
The SQ8 Sportback e-tron is expensive, but it more than makes up for it with its amazing performance
With a price tag that equates to two 4-room BTO flats, the SQ8 Sportback e-tron is quite a hefty investment. But after driving it, it almost justifies such a ludicrous amount of money for a car.
You see, this massive SUV not only manages to look suave, it also puts out a high-level performance and driving experience to back it all up. With a tri-motor setup, it puts out a total of 496bhp and 973Nm of torque, propelling it from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. And that isn't all, the individual motors for each rear wheel allow drive torque to be distributed variably to create a highly effective torque vectoring system!
In all, this is an EV that looks imposing, has enough power to scare you, handles like an incredible sports car, and luxurious enough that your family will have no complains.
Station wagons are just cool; furthermore with the I5 you'll get style, refinement, practicality, performance and luxury
Station wagons are just cool. The standard BMW i5 is already an accomplished executive sedan. The i5 Touring takes it up a notch by offering a great mix of style, refinement, practicality, performance and luxury.
If you need a point of comparison, in Touring guise, you'll get more rear headroom, courtesy of the flatter roofline, along with an even larger cargo capacity that reaches a maximum of 1,700 litres.
This is a very cushy car that has been stuffed full of tech, offering the modern 'big BMW' experience in its own subtly unique style. It has been specced with everything you desire - the large Curved Display, Harmon Kardon speaker system, and wireless smartphone connectivity.
Okay, let's face it, everything else doesn't really matter much, we just love us a wagon.
It's no secret that the M3's an impressive car; naturally, when BMW M takes it up another notch, the result is highly desirable!
The BMW M3 has got to be one of the best performance sedans out there. Over 500bhp, along with enough traction to make you back off before you are even close to the limits of the car, the M3 is no slouch.
In fact, we were so impressed by the M3 that it made us wonder if the car could be any better. It clearly could, and BMW has proven it with the M3 CS. Equipped with a titanium exhaust, lots of carbon fibre parts and some secret tweaks to the suspension, the result is a sharper, louder, nimbler and much more impressive M3.
Being production limited only makes the M3 CS even more desirable.
It looks smart, it's as pleasant to drive as it is to be ferried in one, it's practical and it is also efficient - what's not to like?
This one's an obvious pick - just ask anyone who has driven the current-generation Hyundai Avante, there really isn't much to pick on. With an excellent equipment list, efficient hybrid powertrain and plenty of practicality, this is probably the best value-for-money car you can get today.
The updated design on the Avante Hybrid lends it a neater look, but it still stands out from all the other family sedans. All things considered, if one is in the market for a practical family sedan that does everything well, you simply won't go wrong with the Avante Hybrid.
The Ioniq 5 N is a performance EV that is clearly created with the inputs of true motorsports enthusiasts!
We all love the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It remains as one of the most well-rounded EVs that we have driven - spacious, good handling, well-damped, offering an easy and enjoyable drive with plenty of practicality.
Then, there's the Ioniq 5 N, which takes all that and adds in a huge serving of performance and driving fun that delights car and motorsports enthusiasts. The result of the fettling by Hyundai's N division is an EV that can smoke the rear tyres, and which can even replicate the sensations of driving an internal combustion engine-powered car with simulated engine noises and gear shifts.
And above all, the Ioniq 5 N is a truly capable EV track machine that excites all the right senses to create a fun, engaging and exhilarating drive.
A tough, boxy SUV with a well-specced cabin, just look at this thing!
When it comes to big design changes, there's always the risk of missing the mark entirely, resulting in a flop. That clearly isn't the case for the Santa Fe. You see, with this new Santa Fe, Hyundai made a bold departure from its immediate predecessor - it traded in all its curves and swoopy features for straight lines and a boxy, tough design.
The new design is clearly a hit, at least within the Sgcarmart Editorial Team, and for all the people who bought these SUVs (we are seeing A LOT of them on the roads). Couple its well-received design with a luxurious and well-specced cabin that will sit seven, the allure of the Santa Fe is clear for all to see.
Yes, it's no longer V8-powered, but the C63 S is one amazing beast
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance
Misunderstood and unfairly judged, the Mercedes-AMG C63S has been at the receiving end of too much undeserved hatred - all because it doesn't have a hulking V8 underneath its bonnet.
Powered by a hybrid drivetrain that combines the world's most powerful production four-cylinder engine with F1-derived technology, the sheer power output of the C63S can be described with one word - ludicrous.
The century sprint is completed in an EV-shaming 3.4 seconds - the way that the car puts all the power and torque to the tarmac through its all four wheels is nothing short of amazing.
Cast away your prejudice, and all that's left is a car that's brutally fast, agile, and extremely capable.
Just hop in and LOOK at that Superscreen!
Brilliant and impressive, the all-new E-Class is arguably the heart of the Mercedes brand, espousing refinement, luxury, and technology.
There's a new Superscreen that responds quicker than the Hyperscreen, flamboyant mood lighting, and significantly, an ability to learn routines. The latter helps the car adapt to the driver, making the experience more seamless over time.
With its handsome styling, refined drive and incredible level of equipment, the E-Class is a compelling premium executive saloon that we all thoroughly enjoyed.
No smooth, curvy and boring styling to be found here: the MINI Countryman SE has a funky design that evokes plenty of character
With electric SUVs, the buzzwords are always 'drag coefficient' and 'efficiency'. Unsurprisingly, most of them tend to adopt clean and minimalistic aesthetics, resulting in rather boring looking cars. And then there is the MINI Countryman SE.
With its funky and youthful design, the Countryman SE is a welcome pop of flavour, delighting drivers with its graphics, sounds, and unique toggle controls. Moreover, even though it's a MINI, it's definitely not 'mini' in size! The Countryman SE is equally big in size as it is in personality!
If you want an EV crossover that puts out a statement that isn't 'boring', the MINI Countryman SE is the car for you.
Large, boxy, spacious, practical and just so pleasant to drive around, the Serena e-POWER is just the kind of car we want to drive after a long day at work
There's much to love about the new Serena e-POWER! Alright, the styling might not be for everyone, but most of the Editorial Team are fans of it. Of course, design isn't everything, and you just can't deny the practicality and functionality of this boxy MPV.
The new generation e-POWER drivetrain is far more refined than before, and gives the car a sense of light-footedness. It's better built than before, and the cockpit now has a more functional layout than the outgoing model.
While some cars make us feel hot-blooded and eager to drive fast, the Serena e-POWER is different - its easy-to-drive and cheerful nature makes driving a bliss. Sometimes, this is just the kind of car we want to drive after a stressful long day of work.
Trust us, after taking a closer look at the Camry, you'll be wondering if Toyota should have adorned it with a Lexus badge instead
Toyota has knocked it out of the park with the Camry Hybrid. Yes, the Camry has always been a mainstay in the executive sedan segment, but nobody would have expected this from Toyota. Packed full of features, including reclinable rear seats with a touch-controlled panel on the central armrest, the Camry is feeling more like a luxurious Lexus than what you'll expect from Toyota.
Powered by Toyota's famed hybrid powertrain, there's sufficient power and yet is incredibly efficient. What's surprising is that the Camry this time round is actually almost entertaining to drive.
Make no mistake, the Camry is not exactly affordable, but for what you are paying, you sure are getting a lot of quality for your money.
It is everyone's favourite bus, reimagined and modernised - there's no hate, just all love!
Just LOOK. AT. IT. Tell me the ID. Buzz isn't charming. We know you can't. Inspired by the venerable Volkswagen Type 1 bus, the ID. Buzz is unique and immediately recognisable.
With its bus-shaped body style, the interior is spacious and highly functional. We can continue to go on about all the features it has, but that really isn't the point.
The point is, it's cool, you want one, we all want one as well!
In case you are wondering, here are our favourite cars in the past years:
The Editorial Team's favourite cars of 2023
As the end of the year draws closer, it is time for us to review the year's experiences. Naturally, for the Editorial Team, it has to revolve around the cars that we have had the opportunity to drive, to get close and comfortable with.
Every year, we'll ask ourselves which are the most memorable drives, and every member of the Editorial Team would come up with a list of cars that we enjoyed. 2024 is quite different from the past years, as the influx of EVs has never been so apparent. EVs have gone from being the unconventional subjects of curiosity, to part of the regular programming.
I've dived into the list of our favourite cars of 2024, fully expecting the list to be filled end-to-end with EVs, but it wasn't the case! Colour me surprised, but it wasn't totally unexpected either - we are after all petrolheads. So without further ado, here's the list of our favourite cars of the year (sorted in alphabetical order).
A surprisingly polished entry-level EV at an excellent price point, the Aion Y Plus sure offers plenty of bang for your buck
The Aion Y Plus is the first car from the Chinese brand to be introduced in Singapore, and it has left quite an impression on the editorial team. There are several reasons why it resonated so well. For one, it is one of the, if not the most affordable electric crossover in the market.
What's impressive isn't just the excellent price point - this is a well-made product! Inside, the Aion Y Plus features a well-built interior with well-executed design. The spacious cabin is also well-equipped, featuring large screens with AI voice-assistant and smartphone connectivity.
This entry-level EV is surprisingly polished and offers lots of space and features to go with!
The SQ8 Sportback e-tron is expensive, but it more than makes up for it with its amazing performance
With a price tag that equates to two 4-room BTO flats, the SQ8 Sportback e-tron is quite a hefty investment. But after driving it, it almost justifies such a ludicrous amount of money for a car.
You see, this massive SUV not only manages to look suave, it also puts out a high-level performance and driving experience to back it all up. With a tri-motor setup, it puts out a total of 496bhp and 973Nm of torque, propelling it from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. And that isn't all, the individual motors for each rear wheel allow drive torque to be distributed variably to create a highly effective torque vectoring system!
In all, this is an EV that looks imposing, has enough power to scare you, handles like an incredible sports car, and luxurious enough that your family will have no complains.
Station wagons are just cool; furthermore with the I5 you'll get style, refinement, practicality, performance and luxury
Station wagons are just cool. The standard BMW i5 is already an accomplished executive sedan. The i5 Touring takes it up a notch by offering a great mix of style, refinement, practicality, performance and luxury.
If you need a point of comparison, in Touring guise, you'll get more rear headroom, courtesy of the flatter roofline, along with an even larger cargo capacity that reaches a maximum of 1,700 litres.
This is a very cushy car that has been stuffed full of tech, offering the modern 'big BMW' experience in its own subtly unique style. It has been specced with everything you desire - the large Curved Display, Harmon Kardon speaker system, and wireless smartphone connectivity.
Okay, let's face it, everything else doesn't really matter much, we just love us a wagon.
It's no secret that the M3's an impressive car; naturally, when BMW M takes it up another notch, the result is highly desirable!
The BMW M3 has got to be one of the best performance sedans out there. Over 500bhp, along with enough traction to make you back off before you are even close to the limits of the car, the M3 is no slouch.
In fact, we were so impressed by the M3 that it made us wonder if the car could be any better. It clearly could, and BMW has proven it with the M3 CS. Equipped with a titanium exhaust, lots of carbon fibre parts and some secret tweaks to the suspension, the result is a sharper, louder, nimbler and much more impressive M3.
Being production limited only makes the M3 CS even more desirable.
It looks smart, it's as pleasant to drive as it is to be ferried in one, it's practical and it is also efficient - what's not to like?
This one's an obvious pick - just ask anyone who has driven the current-generation Hyundai Avante, there really isn't much to pick on. With an excellent equipment list, efficient hybrid powertrain and plenty of practicality, this is probably the best value-for-money car you can get today.
The updated design on the Avante Hybrid lends it a neater look, but it still stands out from all the other family sedans. All things considered, if one is in the market for a practical family sedan that does everything well, you simply won't go wrong with the Avante Hybrid.
The Ioniq 5 N is a performance EV that is clearly created with the inputs of true motorsports enthusiasts!
We all love the Hyundai Ioniq 5. It remains as one of the most well-rounded EVs that we have driven - spacious, good handling, well-damped, offering an easy and enjoyable drive with plenty of practicality.
Then, there's the Ioniq 5 N, which takes all that and adds in a huge serving of performance and driving fun that delights car and motorsports enthusiasts. The result of the fettling by Hyundai's N division is an EV that can smoke the rear tyres, and which can even replicate the sensations of driving an internal combustion engine-powered car with simulated engine noises and gear shifts.
And above all, the Ioniq 5 N is a truly capable EV track machine that excites all the right senses to create a fun, engaging and exhilarating drive.
A tough, boxy SUV with a well-specced cabin, just look at this thing!
When it comes to big design changes, there's always the risk of missing the mark entirely, resulting in a flop. That clearly isn't the case for the Santa Fe. You see, with this new Santa Fe, Hyundai made a bold departure from its immediate predecessor - it traded in all its curves and swoopy features for straight lines and a boxy, tough design.
The new design is clearly a hit, at least within the Sgcarmart Editorial Team, and for all the people who bought these SUVs (we are seeing A LOT of them on the roads). Couple its well-received design with a luxurious and well-specced cabin that will sit seven, the allure of the Santa Fe is clear for all to see.
Yes, it's no longer V8-powered, but the C63 S is one amazing beast
Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance
Misunderstood and unfairly judged, the Mercedes-AMG C63S has been at the receiving end of too much undeserved hatred - all because it doesn't have a hulking V8 underneath its bonnet.
Powered by a hybrid drivetrain that combines the world's most powerful production four-cylinder engine with F1-derived technology, the sheer power output of the C63S can be described with one word - ludicrous.
The century sprint is completed in an EV-shaming 3.4 seconds - the way that the car puts all the power and torque to the tarmac through its all four wheels is nothing short of amazing.
Cast away your prejudice, and all that's left is a car that's brutally fast, agile, and extremely capable.
Just hop in and LOOK at that Superscreen!
Brilliant and impressive, the all-new E-Class is arguably the heart of the Mercedes brand, espousing refinement, luxury, and technology.
There's a new Superscreen that responds quicker than the Hyperscreen, flamboyant mood lighting, and significantly, an ability to learn routines. The latter helps the car adapt to the driver, making the experience more seamless over time.
With its handsome styling, refined drive and incredible level of equipment, the E-Class is a compelling premium executive saloon that we all thoroughly enjoyed.
No smooth, curvy and boring styling to be found here: the MINI Countryman SE has a funky design that evokes plenty of character
With electric SUVs, the buzzwords are always 'drag coefficient' and 'efficiency'. Unsurprisingly, most of them tend to adopt clean and minimalistic aesthetics, resulting in rather boring looking cars. And then there is the MINI Countryman SE.
With its funky and youthful design, the Countryman SE is a welcome pop of flavour, delighting drivers with its graphics, sounds, and unique toggle controls. Moreover, even though it's a MINI, it's definitely not 'mini' in size! The Countryman SE is equally big in size as it is in personality!
If you want an EV crossover that puts out a statement that isn't 'boring', the MINI Countryman SE is the car for you.
Large, boxy, spacious, practical and just so pleasant to drive around, the Serena e-POWER is just the kind of car we want to drive after a long day at work
There's much to love about the new Serena e-POWER! Alright, the styling might not be for everyone, but most of the Editorial Team are fans of it. Of course, design isn't everything, and you just can't deny the practicality and functionality of this boxy MPV.
The new generation e-POWER drivetrain is far more refined than before, and gives the car a sense of light-footedness. It's better built than before, and the cockpit now has a more functional layout than the outgoing model.
While some cars make us feel hot-blooded and eager to drive fast, the Serena e-POWER is different - its easy-to-drive and cheerful nature makes driving a bliss. Sometimes, this is just the kind of car we want to drive after a stressful long day of work.
Trust us, after taking a closer look at the Camry, you'll be wondering if Toyota should have adorned it with a Lexus badge instead
Toyota has knocked it out of the park with the Camry Hybrid. Yes, the Camry has always been a mainstay in the executive sedan segment, but nobody would have expected this from Toyota. Packed full of features, including reclinable rear seats with a touch-controlled panel on the central armrest, the Camry is feeling more like a luxurious Lexus than what you'll expect from Toyota.
Powered by Toyota's famed hybrid powertrain, there's sufficient power and yet is incredibly efficient. What's surprising is that the Camry this time round is actually almost entertaining to drive.
Make no mistake, the Camry is not exactly affordable, but for what you are paying, you sure are getting a lot of quality for your money.
It is everyone's favourite bus, reimagined and modernised - there's no hate, just all love!
Just LOOK. AT. IT. Tell me the ID. Buzz isn't charming. We know you can't. Inspired by the venerable Volkswagen Type 1 bus, the ID. Buzz is unique and immediately recognisable.
With its bus-shaped body style, the interior is spacious and highly functional. We can continue to go on about all the features it has, but that really isn't the point.
The point is, it's cool, you want one, we all want one as well!
In case you are wondering, here are our favourite cars in the past years:
The Editorial Team's favourite cars of 2023
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