The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2025
20 Dec 2025|8,110 views
Let's face it: Electric cars are becoming very compelling options to those looking for a ride in the new car market. Regardless of price point or body style, there's bound to be a name that exists out there for every sort of buyer.
Inevitably, the fact that a good chunk of the new cars we got to drive in 2025 were fully electric is also reflected in our list. Exactly five out of the Editorial Team's aggregated top 10 names for the year are EVs, marking the highest proportion we've experienced yet since we started our annual round-up in 2017. And to be crystal-clear, these are fantastic electric cars, as you'll soon see.
Amidst this inevitable tide, however, among the names that have tugged at our heartstrings are returning crowd favourites that continue to be standard-bearers of their respective segments - all while packing either hybrid or pure, good ole' combustion power.
Polished, practical, and feature-packed, the Aion V is one of the most bang-for-buck electric crossovers that money can buy today
1. Aion V
Serendipitously, the one name that appeared on nearly all of our personal best-of lists this year is also the one spearheading this particular list.
And for very good reasons, we think. The Aion V is one of the most - if not the most - complete midsize electric crossovers available today. Apart from its easy-going performance and pliant ride, the V packs on a refined cabin, generous space for the whole family (reclinable rear seatbacks on the second row!), snappy infotainment, and a massive panoramic roof as standard.
Shell out just a bit more cash for the top-end Luxury trim, and you'll even be wowed with front seats with massage and ventilation, and a combination fridge/warmer. Powered by a 75.3kWh battery, it also has a class-leading range of 485km; add a maximum charging speed of 180kW, and this is easily one of the most compelling electric crossovers available today.
Perhaps the most important consideration of all? You won't have to pay through your nose (relatively speaking, of course) to enjoy all that it has to offer.
The 116 perfectly embodies BMW's ethos of building the ultimate driving machines
Who would have thought that in 2025, BMW's time-transcending ethos - of building the ultimate driving machines - would be found in this: A front-wheel drive, not-so-powerful compact hatchback?
On the road, the fourth generation 1 Series absolutely shines. Its platform may have been carried forward from its predecessor, but its revised steering and suspension geometry work wonders in sharpening its driving character. It handles like a dream, egging you on when a twistier stretch of road suddenly presents itself. And don't let its size fool you; its 1.5-litre engine feels plenty peppy too for Singapore's roads.
Certainly, a new cabin with upgraded tech has helped in bringing the 116 up to scruff with the rest of the BMW lineup. But it's from behind the wheel still where it is most delightful. With it, you want to just keep driving, and keep driving.
Brimming with refinement and appeal, the Sealion 7 is arguably the most complete model BYD has put out yet
Not infrequently, the opinions of the general public and those of the editorial team can differ vastly. At times, they align perfectly.
BYD's Sealion 7 is one such instance. Putting the DENZA D9 aside, it's BYD's current top-end offering, and comes with top-end qualities to match that claim. You have three different flavours to choose from (including a relatively fresh Cat A offering), but across the board, refinement - rather than excitement - rules the day.
Its cabin feels well-appointed with old-school buttons and new-school tech; its ride is as cushy as you want from a comfort-oriented SUV; and its feature list is unsurprisingly broad. It's also spacious, and has decent driving range to boot.
We won't waste our breath extolling its virtues at length - many Singaporeans have clearly already made their minds up, given the car's widespread presence on our roads - but it's certainly worth reiterating that this is one of BYD's most complete models yet.
The Tavascan's blends a head-turning exterior and an otherworldly cabin perfectly with performance
We're not sure how exactly Cupra's design teams fought their way through with the Tavascan's interior, but we're glad they did.
Night drives are a delectable visual feast. It never gets old, watching the part-skeletal, part-alien dashboard glow blue (or red, or whatever colour you've chosen), as light also pours through arrow shaped perforations on the suede-like door cards.
Marking the brand's halo electric product, the Tavascan is a proclamation of Cupra's serious intent to pursue a design-first path. Its 'shark nose' front end may no longer be as intensely intriguing, given that it's trickled down to the likes of the Terramar and Leon. But its interior is still its singular piece of art, blending Cupra's sustainable ambitions with flashes of Gaudi.
Even the way the Tavascan moves (we drove the range-topping Tavascan VZ) feels special, despite sharing lots of its innards with corporate cousins from within the VW family. It's grippy, and has a quick steering rack commensurate to its performance claims. Best of all, it even retains a dedicated 'CUPRA' mode button - which you can depress to unleash Spain's take on lightspeed.
The current-generation Freed is arguably the best one Honda has put together yet, thanks to its stellar hybrid drivetrain, retro-styling, and neat interior
Previously let down most by its coarse engine, the latest Honda Freed may well be what happens when all the stars finally align for an already-popular name.
It rights its predecessor's wrongs, firstly, with a brand new e:HEV hybrid drivetrain that brings two additional electric motors into the picture for propulsion. Beyond bumping refinement up, fuel efficiency benefits too - exactly what you want from a compact MPV. Then there's also its cutesy styling. And with the exception of its aftermarket head unit, its dashboard has all of your modern Honda strengths too: A sensible digital instrument cluster, proper physical buttons, and just good-ole excellent ergonomics.
Oh yes - it also seats seven in commendable comfort, and retains those intelligent tumble forward seats for easy third-row access. It's worth noting that the StepWGN Hybrid was also officially launched at last this year - another excellent, albeit far larger MPV. But the Freed takes our vote still - for its outsized ability to pack so much into its small frame.
The IM 5 Sedan cuts through the newcomer noise with a cabin that feels expensive, its composed driving manners, and its well-proportioned body
6. IM 5 Sedan
Overwhelmed by all the new Chinese brands flooding Singapore's roads? Shhh, we'll let you in on a little secret: So are we. It says a lot, then, that a slinky electric sedan from newcomer IM Motors ('IM' stands for 'Intelligence in Motion') has cut through the noise successfully to land among our favourite cars of the year.
It's not that the usual Chinese trappings aren't there. Most notably, the 5 is stuffed with more digital real estate than we would prefer, including a touchscreen mounted on its centre console that controls all of the car's functions.
Once you've gotten used to these inevitabilities, though, the IM 5 Sedan starts to become very alluring indeed. It rides very well, and boasts handy rear-wheel steering as standard, which magically masks its 2,900mm wheelbase and nearly five-metre length. Best of all, it feels like a proper premium product, thanks to a well-insulated cabin that also envelopes you in plentiful soft-touch materials and features aplenty.
It doesn't hurt that it's well proportioned too, its broad shoulders and curves working far better on a lower-slung silhouette than on the IM 6. In its own silent electric way, this one cuts quite confidently through the newcomer noise.
The 992.2-generation 911 is more (delightful) evolution than revolution - and rightfully so
7. Porsche 911 Carrera (992.2)
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
But you can tweak it to make it better, demonstrating tireless fervour while at it. Such has been the Porsche way with its iconic 911, and the 992.2 generation that made landfall on our shores this year is no exception. We drove the base 911 Carrera, which - true to the brand's form - carries blink-and-you'll-miss-it cosmetic changes over its predecessor. Yet the new front and rear bumpers, redesigned head and taillights, and cleaner rear grille all work a charm in adding aggression to the car.
The cabin retains its driver focus with a more contemporary look too. And for good measure, power from that signature twin-turbo flat-six has been bumped to 389bhp and 450Nm of torque too. Credit is due to turbochargers plucked from the previous 911 GTS, and an intercooler nicked from the 911 Turbo.
But what remains is the unadulterated magic of the original 911 formula. With its rear-heavy configuration, and with power sent solely to the rear wheels, the 911 Carrera boasts immense rear-end grip, continuing to demonstrate unique handling characteristics unmatched by peers and rivals. Best of all, this is still a car you can daily.
Without losing its key qualities, the Subaru Forester feels better attuned to the current times with its hybrid powertrain
8. Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid
More attuned to current times than ever, the sixth-generation Subaru Forester takes a convincing step into the present without leaving its past entirely behind - and we like it for it.
While modern cars tend to deal in extremes - either going for the full-minimalist route, or for something more eye-catching, what may be surprising about the latest Forester is its conventional design. But even more surprising, perhaps, is the fact that it's now gotten a new full-hybrid powertrain.
The flat-four engine gets a bump in displacement from 2.0-litres to 2.5-litres, and with a more powerful electric motor, combined output rises to 194bhp, eclipsing the outgoing model by 46bhp. Subarus thus far haven't been mentioned in the same breath as "fuel-efficient", but this latest Forester also fares impressively on this front (we managed 16.4km/L in Singapore; even more when we drove to Hat Yai with less than a tank of fuel). All this, while maintaining its all-wheel drive powertrain too.
Apart from the bump in performance and efficiency, the Forester's key attributes have been polished as well. That means it's spacious, rides well, offers great outward visibility, and reassuring safety from its EyeSight system.
Post-facelift, the XC60 T8's mixture of electric and combustion power has become even more alluring
9. Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid (Facelift)
Buoyed by the rising popularity of full EVs, reception towards plug-in hybrids has warmed considerably in recent times. It was into this new environment that the refreshed Volvo XC60 T8 - with its fancy new front grille - was launched this year.
In its new light, the XC60 T8 shines. Its added real-world utility takes the form of a larger 18.3kWh battery with double the electric range (around 60km) of the pre-facelifted car. It's got a bigger but no less intuitive infotainment touchscreen too, running the latest and very best that Google has concocted for the automotive space. And it's even gotten a power bump, with its century sprint timing now dipping under the revered five second mark.
But the most important element here is that all of those upgrades do not detract from the Volvo experience: One where refinement, and minimalist luxury, and a sense of safety are never once missing from the picture. The result is a very competent premium SUV that can better give the Germans a run for their money.
The X9 is probably our favourite electric MPV on the market today, thanks to its unrivalled mixture of technology and luxury
10. XPENG X9
The market is in no shortage of full-sized electric MPVs these days, but we'd argue that the XPENG X9 is the EV MPV to go for.
Laden with tech (standard rear-wheel steering, plus one of the best self-parking systems in the biz), the X9 is exactly the sort of seven-seater you'd expect XPENG to build. Still, its qualities go further beyond. XPENG doesn't officially bill this as a luxury MPV, but it's up there with the best of them, boasting exceptional build quality, and flagship-worthy features like a 'windless' aircon system, a banging 21-speaker sound system, a 21.3-inch high-def fold-down screen, and a spacious and electronically reclining third row.
It's also worth pointing out that we drove both the original and facelifted X9 within a matter of five months - nearly unprecedented in our line of work, and proof that XPENG is truly a force to be reckoned with in the auto space. The new car brings with it upgraded captain's chairs with extra plushness, and features like embedded wireless charging trays. And of course, the X9 offers commendable practicality in the real world too thanks to its drive range of more than 500km.
Don't forget to check out our year-end favourites from the past three years too!
The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2024
The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2023
The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2022
Let's face it: Electric cars are becoming very compelling options to those looking for a ride in the new car market. Regardless of price point or body style, there's bound to be a name that exists out there for every sort of buyer.
Inevitably, the fact that a good chunk of the new cars we got to drive in 2025 were fully electric is also reflected in our list. Exactly five out of the Editorial Team's aggregated top 10 names for the year are EVs, marking the highest proportion we've experienced yet since we started our annual round-up in 2017. And to be crystal-clear, these are fantastic electric cars, as you'll soon see.
Amidst this inevitable tide, however, among the names that have tugged at our heartstrings are returning crowd favourites that continue to be standard-bearers of their respective segments - all while packing either hybrid or pure, good ole' combustion power.
Polished, practical, and feature-packed, the Aion V is one of the most bang-for-buck electric crossovers that money can buy today
1. Aion V
Serendipitously, the one name that appeared on nearly all of our personal best-of lists this year is also the one spearheading this particular list.
And for very good reasons, we think. The Aion V is one of the most - if not the most - complete midsize electric crossovers available today. Apart from its easy-going performance and pliant ride, the V packs on a refined cabin, generous space for the whole family (reclinable rear seatbacks on the second row!), snappy infotainment, and a massive panoramic roof as standard.
Shell out just a bit more cash for the top-end Luxury trim, and you'll even be wowed with front seats with massage and ventilation, and a combination fridge/warmer. Powered by a 75.3kWh battery, it also has a class-leading range of 485km; add a maximum charging speed of 180kW, and this is easily one of the most compelling electric crossovers available today.
Perhaps the most important consideration of all? You won't have to pay through your nose (relatively speaking, of course) to enjoy all that it has to offer.
The 116 perfectly embodies BMW's ethos of building the ultimate driving machines
Who would have thought that in 2025, BMW's time-transcending ethos - of building the ultimate driving machines - would be found in this: A front-wheel drive, not-so-powerful compact hatchback?
On the road, the fourth generation 1 Series absolutely shines. Its platform may have been carried forward from its predecessor, but its revised steering and suspension geometry work wonders in sharpening its driving character. It handles like a dream, egging you on when a twistier stretch of road suddenly presents itself. And don't let its size fool you; its 1.5-litre engine feels plenty peppy too for Singapore's roads.
Certainly, a new cabin with upgraded tech has helped in bringing the 116 up to scruff with the rest of the BMW lineup. But it's from behind the wheel still where it is most delightful. With it, you want to just keep driving, and keep driving.
Brimming with refinement and appeal, the Sealion 7 is arguably the most complete model BYD has put out yet
Not infrequently, the opinions of the general public and those of the editorial team can differ vastly. At times, they align perfectly.
BYD's Sealion 7 is one such instance. Putting the DENZA D9 aside, it's BYD's current top-end offering, and comes with top-end qualities to match that claim. You have three different flavours to choose from (including a relatively fresh Cat A offering), but across the board, refinement - rather than excitement - rules the day.
Its cabin feels well-appointed with old-school buttons and new-school tech; its ride is as cushy as you want from a comfort-oriented SUV; and its feature list is unsurprisingly broad. It's also spacious, and has decent driving range to boot.
We won't waste our breath extolling its virtues at length - many Singaporeans have clearly already made their minds up, given the car's widespread presence on our roads - but it's certainly worth reiterating that this is one of BYD's most complete models yet.
The Tavascan's blends a head-turning exterior and an otherworldly cabin perfectly with performance
We're not sure how exactly Cupra's design teams fought their way through with the Tavascan's interior, but we're glad they did.
Night drives are a delectable visual feast. It never gets old, watching the part-skeletal, part-alien dashboard glow blue (or red, or whatever colour you've chosen), as light also pours through arrow shaped perforations on the suede-like door cards.
Marking the brand's halo electric product, the Tavascan is a proclamation of Cupra's serious intent to pursue a design-first path. Its 'shark nose' front end may no longer be as intensely intriguing, given that it's trickled down to the likes of the Terramar and Leon. But its interior is still its singular piece of art, blending Cupra's sustainable ambitions with flashes of Gaudi.
Even the way the Tavascan moves (we drove the range-topping Tavascan VZ) feels special, despite sharing lots of its innards with corporate cousins from within the VW family. It's grippy, and has a quick steering rack commensurate to its performance claims. Best of all, it even retains a dedicated 'CUPRA' mode button - which you can depress to unleash Spain's take on lightspeed.
The current-generation Freed is arguably the best one Honda has put together yet, thanks to its stellar hybrid drivetrain, retro-styling, and neat interior
Previously let down most by its coarse engine, the latest Honda Freed may well be what happens when all the stars finally align for an already-popular name.
It rights its predecessor's wrongs, firstly, with a brand new e:HEV hybrid drivetrain that brings two additional electric motors into the picture for propulsion. Beyond bumping refinement up, fuel efficiency benefits too - exactly what you want from a compact MPV. Then there's also its cutesy styling. And with the exception of its aftermarket head unit, its dashboard has all of your modern Honda strengths too: A sensible digital instrument cluster, proper physical buttons, and just good-ole excellent ergonomics.
Oh yes - it also seats seven in commendable comfort, and retains those intelligent tumble forward seats for easy third-row access. It's worth noting that the StepWGN Hybrid was also officially launched at last this year - another excellent, albeit far larger MPV. But the Freed takes our vote still - for its outsized ability to pack so much into its small frame.
The IM 5 Sedan cuts through the newcomer noise with a cabin that feels expensive, its composed driving manners, and its well-proportioned body
6. IM 5 Sedan
Overwhelmed by all the new Chinese brands flooding Singapore's roads? Shhh, we'll let you in on a little secret: So are we. It says a lot, then, that a slinky electric sedan from newcomer IM Motors ('IM' stands for 'Intelligence in Motion') has cut through the noise successfully to land among our favourite cars of the year.
It's not that the usual Chinese trappings aren't there. Most notably, the 5 is stuffed with more digital real estate than we would prefer, including a touchscreen mounted on its centre console that controls all of the car's functions.
Once you've gotten used to these inevitabilities, though, the IM 5 Sedan starts to become very alluring indeed. It rides very well, and boasts handy rear-wheel steering as standard, which magically masks its 2,900mm wheelbase and nearly five-metre length. Best of all, it feels like a proper premium product, thanks to a well-insulated cabin that also envelopes you in plentiful soft-touch materials and features aplenty.
It doesn't hurt that it's well proportioned too, its broad shoulders and curves working far better on a lower-slung silhouette than on the IM 6. In its own silent electric way, this one cuts quite confidently through the newcomer noise.
The 992.2-generation 911 is more (delightful) evolution than revolution - and rightfully so
7. Porsche 911 Carrera (992.2)
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
But you can tweak it to make it better, demonstrating tireless fervour while at it. Such has been the Porsche way with its iconic 911, and the 992.2 generation that made landfall on our shores this year is no exception. We drove the base 911 Carrera, which - true to the brand's form - carries blink-and-you'll-miss-it cosmetic changes over its predecessor. Yet the new front and rear bumpers, redesigned head and taillights, and cleaner rear grille all work a charm in adding aggression to the car.
The cabin retains its driver focus with a more contemporary look too. And for good measure, power from that signature twin-turbo flat-six has been bumped to 389bhp and 450Nm of torque too. Credit is due to turbochargers plucked from the previous 911 GTS, and an intercooler nicked from the 911 Turbo.
But what remains is the unadulterated magic of the original 911 formula. With its rear-heavy configuration, and with power sent solely to the rear wheels, the 911 Carrera boasts immense rear-end grip, continuing to demonstrate unique handling characteristics unmatched by peers and rivals. Best of all, this is still a car you can daily.
Without losing its key qualities, the Subaru Forester feels better attuned to the current times with its hybrid powertrain
8. Subaru Forester e-Boxer Hybrid
More attuned to current times than ever, the sixth-generation Subaru Forester takes a convincing step into the present without leaving its past entirely behind - and we like it for it.
While modern cars tend to deal in extremes - either going for the full-minimalist route, or for something more eye-catching, what may be surprising about the latest Forester is its conventional design. But even more surprising, perhaps, is the fact that it's now gotten a new full-hybrid powertrain.
The flat-four engine gets a bump in displacement from 2.0-litres to 2.5-litres, and with a more powerful electric motor, combined output rises to 194bhp, eclipsing the outgoing model by 46bhp. Subarus thus far haven't been mentioned in the same breath as "fuel-efficient", but this latest Forester also fares impressively on this front (we managed 16.4km/L in Singapore; even more when we drove to Hat Yai with less than a tank of fuel). All this, while maintaining its all-wheel drive powertrain too.
Apart from the bump in performance and efficiency, the Forester's key attributes have been polished as well. That means it's spacious, rides well, offers great outward visibility, and reassuring safety from its EyeSight system.
Post-facelift, the XC60 T8's mixture of electric and combustion power has become even more alluring
9. Volvo XC60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid (Facelift)
Buoyed by the rising popularity of full EVs, reception towards plug-in hybrids has warmed considerably in recent times. It was into this new environment that the refreshed Volvo XC60 T8 - with its fancy new front grille - was launched this year.
In its new light, the XC60 T8 shines. Its added real-world utility takes the form of a larger 18.3kWh battery with double the electric range (around 60km) of the pre-facelifted car. It's got a bigger but no less intuitive infotainment touchscreen too, running the latest and very best that Google has concocted for the automotive space. And it's even gotten a power bump, with its century sprint timing now dipping under the revered five second mark.
But the most important element here is that all of those upgrades do not detract from the Volvo experience: One where refinement, and minimalist luxury, and a sense of safety are never once missing from the picture. The result is a very competent premium SUV that can better give the Germans a run for their money.
The X9 is probably our favourite electric MPV on the market today, thanks to its unrivalled mixture of technology and luxury
10. XPENG X9
The market is in no shortage of full-sized electric MPVs these days, but we'd argue that the XPENG X9 is the EV MPV to go for.
Laden with tech (standard rear-wheel steering, plus one of the best self-parking systems in the biz), the X9 is exactly the sort of seven-seater you'd expect XPENG to build. Still, its qualities go further beyond. XPENG doesn't officially bill this as a luxury MPV, but it's up there with the best of them, boasting exceptional build quality, and flagship-worthy features like a 'windless' aircon system, a banging 21-speaker sound system, a 21.3-inch high-def fold-down screen, and a spacious and electronically reclining third row.
It's also worth pointing out that we drove both the original and facelifted X9 within a matter of five months - nearly unprecedented in our line of work, and proof that XPENG is truly a force to be reckoned with in the auto space. The new car brings with it upgraded captain's chairs with extra plushness, and features like embedded wireless charging trays. And of course, the X9 offers commendable practicality in the real world too thanks to its drive range of more than 500km.
Don't forget to check out our year-end favourites from the past three years too!
The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2024
The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2023
The Editorial Team's Favourite Cars of 2022
Thank You For Your Subscription.
Tags
Products & Services
For Owners
Quick Links
About Sgcarmart
