ST Car of the Year 2025: 8 Chinese cars in Top 10 list
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(Clockwise from top left) Aion Hyptec HT, BYD Atto 2, BYD M6 and BYD SEALION 7.
ST PHOTOS: KEVIN LIM, ONG WEE JIN, ARIFFIN JAMAR, LEE NIAN TJOE
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SINGAPORE – This is the 23rd year of The Straits Times Car of the Year award, which assesses all new cars from authorised agents reviewed between mid-November of 2024 and mid-November of 2025.
For the 2025 edition, 51 new models were considered. Facelifts and variants introduced during the qualifying period were not included.
The finalists reflect the recent changes seen in Singapore’s car market.
Among the 10, eight are from Chinese carmakers, with a Japanese model and a European model making up the remainder. Just as significantly, there are no pure combustion-engine cars on the list: Nine are electric and one is a petrol-hybrid.
Just two years ago, in the 2023 edition, when there were nine cars in the final shortlist, only two were Chinese cars and one was a pure combustion-engine model. For the 2024 edition, there were three Chinese cars and no pure combustion-engine models.
In terms of body styles, six of the 10 cars are sport utility vehicles (SUVs), three are seven-seater multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) and only one is a four-door saloon.
Another standout feature on the 2025 list is the dominance of BYD with three models. Then again, the Chinese brand has also launched more new models over the past 12 months than any other car brand around.
The 2025 shortlist also sees new brands entering the fray, namely Cupra from Spain and IM Motors, which is a joint-venture brand that counts Chinese auto giant SAIC among its shareholders. Both brands were launched in Singapore in the past 12 months.
All new cars are evaluated according to nine criteria: performance, handling, ride quality, build quality, practicality, efficiency, styling, value for money and X-factor.
The categories for value for money and practicality are given higher weightage than other attributes to balance the driver-centric nature of the other components. This scoring matrix has been used since 2022.
To make the list of the final 10 contenders, the cars have to be discernibly better than rivals within their own segment.
Here are the 10 cars in the running to be ST’s Car of the Year 2025. Find out which car emerges on top on Dec 19.
Aion Hyptec HT
Beyond the fancy doors, the Hyptec HT is also a good drive.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Reviewed:
March 14, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
What it is: A mid-sized electric SUV that looks like a cross between a Porsche Cayenne and a DeLorean DMC-12.
Versions available: Luxury and Premium
What ST said: An impressive and imposing electric SUV with dramatic gullwing doors that possesses genuine limousine-like qualities.
BYD Atto 2
The BYD Atto 2 is a space-efficient small electric SUV.
ST PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN
Reviewed:
Aug 29, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
What it is: A compact electric SUV for young, first-time car owners.
Versions available: Premium
What ST said: An amazingly space-efficient small electric SUV which is noticeably more polished on the move than the Dolphin and Atto 3 that BYD launched earlier. The car reflects just how quickly BYD is upping its game.
BYD M6
BYD’s M6 takes the idea of the do-it-all compact MPV to the electric age.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Reviewed:
Nov 22, 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆
What it is: An electric compact seven-seater that channels the spirit of the discontinued Toyota Wish.
Versions available: Standard and Carbon Edge
What ST said: Exceptionally comfortable, well-equipped and versatile, the BYD M6 is dependable and lovable. It is also very well-priced below BYD’s own Atto 3 compact SUV and petrol-hybrid models from Japanese carmakers.
BYD Sealion 7
Quality fixtures, spacious interior and comfortable ride – the BYD Sealion 7 ticks all the boxes and more.
ST PHOTO: LEE NIAN TJOE
Reviewed:
Jan 17, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
What it is: A premium mid-sized SUV that is more than enough to rival Japanese and European offerings.
Versions available: Dynamic (100kW), Premium (230kW) and Performance (390kW)
What ST said: Not a sales champion for nothing, BYD offers more space, equipment and performance than anything to come from Japan or Germany. The finishing feels like a full generation more evolved from the already impressive Seal EV saloon that was launched a year ago.
Cupra Tavascan VZ
The Cupra Tavascan impresses with its hot hatchback-like dynamics and practical cabin.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
Reviewed:
May 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★☆☆
What it is: An electric mid-sized coupe-SUV.
Versions available: Endurance (210kW) and VZ (250kW)
What ST said: Despite its taller SUV form, the car has all the attributes of a performance hatchback that rewards keen drivers. It is also practical and spacious, making it a good family car.
Honda Freed
The Honda Freed is more fuel-efficient and tech-laden than its predecessors.
ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Reviewed:
Dec 20, 2024
Rating: ★★★☆☆
What it is: A compact seven-seater MPV.
Versions available: HS and HE
What ST said: More modern-looking than its predecessor, the Honda Freed packs plenty of thoughtfulness and technology. The petrol-hybrid system is more fuel-efficient than before, giving it a real-world range of 800km before it needs to be refilled.
IM Motors IM 5
The IM Motors IM 5 has impressive build quality and has more torque than a base Porsche Taycan.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Reviewed:
Oct 10, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
What it is: A large and upmarket Chinese electric saloon aimed to rival the BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Versions available: Luxury (109kW), Sport (300kW) and Performance (572kW)
What ST said: A sturdy-looking car with a solid build quality exemplified by tight and even shut lines. While the motor is tuned down to make just 109kW, it has more torque than a base Porsche Taycan, making the car feel a lot quicker than it is.
MG S5
MG S5 stands out in a crowded compact electric SUV market with its packaging and handling poise.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Reviewed:
May 2, 2025
Rating: ★★★☆☆
What it is: A compact, mass-market electric SUV.
Versions available: Luxury
What ST said: Classy design and good driving dynamics help the MG S5 stand out in a crowded market segment. The car is yet another demonstration of how quickly the Chinese carmakers are improving their craft.
Xpeng X9
Clever chassis tuning makes driving the enormous XPeng X9 really easy.
ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Reviewed:
April 11, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆
What it is: A very large premium seven-seater.
Versions available: Premium Seat and Grand Seat
What ST said: Spacious and extremely refined, the X9 is undemanding to drive. This is one of the shiniest examples of an MPV.
Zeekr 7X
The Zeekr 7X has the pace and handling of a Lotus and Volvo’s thoughtfulness.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Reviewed:
Nov 7, 2025
Rating: ★★★☆☆
What it is: A mid-sized electric SUV.
Versions available: RWD Standard (310kW), RWD Long Range (310kW) and AWD Performance (475kW)
What ST said: The car has the pace and handling of a Lotus and Volvo’s thoughtfulness when it comes to the needs of younger families.
