2025 has seen an unprecedented wave of car brands launching in Singapore, driving innovation, giving consumers more choices, and keeping car reviewers (like yours truly) very busy all year round.
Just to name a few, this year alone we have welcomed Leapmotor, AVATR, IM Motors, JMEV, Skyworth, Neta, Deepal, Jaecoo, Hyptec, Proton and many more.
Combine that influx of new names with traditional manufacturers now offering EV variants alongside their petrol models, and picking the right car today feels more complicated than one of those viral PSLE math questions.
In my first year as a car reviewer, I have tested over 20 cars. My approach has always been to look for each car’s raison d’être, its reason for being. I ask myself, Why does this car exist? Why was it designed and specced this way?
Here, I have rounded up 8 of the most noteworthy cars I have tested this year, in the hope that it might help the lucky few who can still afford today’s hilariously high COE prices find their dream ride.
Let’s go.
1. Most Value-for-Money Family Car – Aion V
In today’s market, any car priced under S$200,000 is generally considered affordable. Starting from S$182,988 (as of November 2025), the Aion V punches well above its price class in both features and equipment.
Step inside and you will find class-leading cabin space, a fridge and heater compartment, front massage and ventilated seats, a nine-speaker surround-sound system, tray tables for rear passengers, and an interior that feels anything but budget. It is the kind of setup that could make owners of cars costing twice as much shed a quiet tear of envy.
2. Fast & Furious & Practical – smart #3 Brabus
It’s insanely quick. When the lights turn green, the smart #3 Brabus clears the entire traffic junction before the car beside you has even started rolling. A 0–100 km/h sprint in just 3.7 seconds used to be supercar territory — except supercars are not exactly great for family trips or school runs.
The smart #3 Brabus, however, is both quick and practical. What impressed me most is its suspension setup. Most performance-oriented cars suffer from stiff, unforgiving rides that make them impractical for daily use. Not this one. With its expertly tuned suspension and 50:50 weight distribution, the #3 Brabus feels tight and precise when you’re in the mood for spirited driving, yet comfortable and compliant when you’re taking it easy with the family.
It may look small from the outside, a trick of its curvy proportions, but the interior tells a different story. The cabin is surprisingly spacious, well laid out, and easily capable of handling everyday family duties.
Read my review on Alvinology.com
3. The Car That Brings The Most Smile – Volkswagen ID.Buzz
The Volkswagen ID. Buzz is unmistakably inspired by the brand’s vintage minibus from decades past, carrying forward that same sense of cheerfulness and adventure. One glance at it and you cannot help but smile, its friendly front fascia almost feels like it is grinning back at you. Step inside and the bright, airy cabin continues that playful spirit, with delightful little details and hidden easter eggs that make every journey feel a bit more joyful.
What’s even more surprising is how agile and fun to drive it is. I found myself tossing it through corners with ease, something a vehicle of this size and shape has no right to do. And that, too, brought a smile to my face.
4. The Most Japanese Car – Nissan Ariya
The Nissan Ariya EV marks a bold new direction for Nissan, embodying the spirit of Japanese hospitality in both design and experience. Subtle Kumiko patterns are woven throughout the cabin, while the wood panels draw inspiration from traditional Japanese furniture and architecture.
If you have ever felt that most new EVs look and feel the same, the Ariya stands apart as a distinctly Japanese interpretation of electric mobility, exuding calm and elegant.
5. Best Of All Worlds (when money is not an obstacle) – BMW i5 Touring eDrive 40 M Sport
As a wagon, the BMW i5 Touring’s elongated cabin and boot make it an ideal people mover with enough space to haul just about anything you can think of. But practicality is not its only strength. With a 0–100 km/h sprint of just 6.1 seconds, it’s properly quick, and it handles exactly as you would expect from a BMW, that is, sharp, confident, and composed.
Inside, it features all of BMW’s latest tech, including the distinctive BMW Interactive Light Bar that adds a futuristic glow to the cabin. And even though it’s fully electric, you would not miss the soundtrack of an internal combustion engine, thanks to the Hans Zimmer–composed simulated engine note that adds drama and emotion to every drive.
TL;DR: The BMW i5 Touring is fast, spacious, high-tech, and luxurious. What more could you ask for? Well, maybe just a bit more money to afford one.
6. Most Versatile Car for Large Families (Or For Making Your Family) – Nissan Serena e-POWER
The Nissan Serena e-POWER is a spacious and affordable MPV that’s also remarkably economical to run. As a hybrid, it uses almost half the fuel of most other vehicles to cover the same distance, letting you quite literally go the distance with your family.
Seven seats are standard fare for an MPV, but what sets the Serena apart is its versatile seating configuration. The middle-row captain seats can be shifted closer together or further apart depending on your needs, and both the second and third rows can be folded flat to create a completely open space. Whether it’s hauling bulky furniture or just using the space for a quick nap or anything else involving a bed (ahem), the Serena makes space management surprisingly effortless.
7. Fastest Car Under S$ 180,000 – Proton e.MAS 7
This might sound like an odd one. We do not usually associate Proton with speed, but here we are. Tis is the only Category B car currently available in Singapore at under S$180,000. Even stretching the budget to S$190,000, the closest contender is the Volkswagen ID.3 Electric, priced from S$185,800 (via parallel importers) with a 0–100 km/h sprint of 7.3 seconds.
The Proton e.MAS 7, at just S$174,988, does the same sprint in 7.1 seconds, making it the fastest car you can buy in Singapore at this price point. And the best part? It is not just fast but is also well built, comfortable, and impressively practical.
8. The Car That Gives You Wings – Hyptec HT
The GAC AION Hyptec HT gives you wings, literally. It is the only car in its price range that comes with gullwing doors, and even the “normal” front doors are self-opening and self-closing, so you don’t have to lift a finger.
If you are looking for a great EV that combines next-level convenience with serious wow factor, and you don’t mind turning heads in every carpark, this is the one to get.
So there you have it, the eight most noteworthy cars I have reviewed this year. Next year looks even more exciting, with more new and interesting models arriving in Singapore, and I honestly cannot wait to try them all out.
