The leading contenders for an sub-S$200k mainstream electric car/EV in Singapore: Kia, Hyundai, MG and more

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SINGAPORE 

Welcome back to another instalment of CarBuyer.com.sg Best Of, a regularly updated guide series where we pick the best cars in each segment to buy here in Singapore.

We’ve done a Best Of guide for Electric Vehicles (EVs) previously, but since then, the number of EV offerings in Singapore have grown pretty substantially. In fact in the first half of 2021, the growth of electrified cars here has already outstripped that of the whole of 2020.

As such, we’ve decided to differentiate the EV guide into mainstream and luxury models, as they would cater to a different range of customers.

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How do we decide which EVs are mainstream and which are luxury though?

Ordinarily it could have been simply split along the lines of their COE categories, but EVs don't play by the old rules - 130hp in an EV, for instance, is really not very much.

We reckon then that the easier dividing line would be price, and as such we consider mainstream EVs to be those that retail for under S$200,000, including COE. Yes, eventually they will, but they still haven't come close to the mainstream S$100k+ price range of normal gasoline cars.

It’s quite a clear differentiator too, as we have EVs from the likes of Kia, Hyundai and MG below this threshold, while EVs from BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz all sit above the S$200k mark.

We’ll do an Best Of guide for luxury EVs soon, but for now we’ll focus on the mainstream models, as these are the ones that are likely to appeal to a greater number of car buyers, and their competitive price points will go a long way towards encouraging EV adoption among the mass market audience.

Many of the current mainstream EVs take the form of SUVs or crossovers, partly due to the immense popularity of such cars today. But as well, the shape and design of SUVs, with their elevated ride height, make them more conducive to accommodating an EV’s batteries and electric drivetrain. There are non-SUV mainstream EVs like the Hyundai Ioniq and Nissan Leaf, but they are comparatively less popular than the SUV-shaped EVs.

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With the mainstream EV segment set to grow in the years ahead, we take a look at what are the leading contenders in this market to consider right now. If you’re looking for an affordable entry into electric motoring in Singapore, here are the recommendations from the team at CarBuyer.com.sg.

(Models are listed in alphabetical order, not by merit)

Continue to Page 2 for the long and short of Hyundai's crossover EV

• Page 2 – Hyundai Kona Electric
• Page 3 – Kia Niro Electric
• Page 4 – MG ZS Electric

Page 1 – Introduction
Page 2 – Hyundai Kona Electric
Page 3 – Kia Niro Electric
Page 4 – MG ZS Electric

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Hyundai Kona Electric

Our pick: Hyundai Kona Electric Long Range from S$166,888 with COE (Aug 2021)
Read our review of the Hyundai Kona Electric here

In the internal combustion engine (ICE) era, a model lineup often offered a choice of engines, with different capacities and outputs. But in the electric era, when cars have no engines, variants are differentiated through electric performance and, crucially, range.

The Hyundai Kona then currently offers a trump card, in that it is currently the only mainstream EV that is available in both standard and long range forms. In fact, it is one of only three EVs currently on sale in Singapore that allows buyers to have a choice of range, the other two being the Tesla Model 3 and Porsche Taycan.

If you can stretch to it, the Kona Electric Long Range is obviously the one to get. At S$166,888 with COE though, it is not exactly cheap, but it does offer almost 500km of range on a single charge, which is enough to cover nearly two weeks of average driving in Singapore, thanks to its 64kWH battery powering an electric motor that puts out 204hp and 395Nm of torque.

But even if you opt for the Standard Range variant (S$141,888 with COE, add another S$5,000 for a sunroof), you’re not being shortchanged either. The ‘regular’ Kona Electric still gets you about 300km of range on a full charge, which is still respectable and more than enough for a week’s worth of driving here. In this form, it uses a 39.2kWh battery to power a 134hp electric motor, and both versions can accept fast charging, meaning it takes just a couple of hours to recharge at a DC fast charger.

The Kona has recently been facelifted, and it gets some cleaner styling to keep it refreshed. But most of the car’s underpinnings have remained the same as the Kona Electric that first arrived here in 2019, and as such the driving experience is not much different than before, with its punchy yet easy-going nature.

It has to be noted though that the Kona is slightly smaller than most of the other EV SUVs in its class, and as such cabin space can be a bit tight, especially for rear passengers, while its boot space is relatively tiny too. On the flip side, Hyundai has specced out the Kona pretty impressively, and it does come with an impressive suite of driver assistance features, including stuff like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring, to name a few.

The appeal of the Kona Electric then is not so much outright practicality, but the fact that it demonstrates what mainstream EVs can do. Its flexibility in offering a choice of standard or long range variants show that EVs can adapt to the varying needs of drivers, and should make the transition into electric motoring easier for ICE owners.

Continue to Page 3 for the Kona's Korean EV sibling

Page 1 – Introduction
Page 2 – Hyundai Kona Electric
Page 3 – Kia Niro Electric
Page 4 – MG ZS Electric

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Kia Niro Electric

Our pick: Kia Niro Electric from S$153,999 with COE (Aug 2021)
Read our review of the Kia Niro Electric here

Hyundai’s fellow Korean carmaker Kia has their own mainstream EV offering too, with the Kia Niro Electric sharing essentially the same underpinnings as the Hyundai Kona. But the Niro takes the form of a slightly larger family SUV, and thus offers that bit more practicality.

In Singapore at least, the Niro Electric is only available in long range form, and as such uses essentially the same powertrain as the flagship Kona Electric. That means a driving range of about 500km on a full charge, making it one of the most long-ranging EVs currently on sale here.

It achieves that through the same 204hp electric motor, which also puts out 395Nm of torque, as the Kona, giving it a lively and spirited drive. Similarly, like the Kona, the Niro Electric can accept fast charging, and so recharging shouldn’t be much of a problem if you have access to a fast DC charger.

It is slightly cheaper than its Hyundai equivalent too, at S$153,999 with COE, and for that money you get a versatile crossover that has plenty of space for the family. Boot space is significantly bigger than the Kona too, making the Niro a more practical option for those looking for a reasonably priced Korean mainstream family EV.

The Niro still comes fairly extensively equipped as well, with many of the same driver assistance features like adaptive cruise control and blind spot monitoring also available here. Fundamentally, the Niro is effectively the Kona’s twin, the main difference being that the Kia doesn’t have a cheaper version with less range. But in return, you get a car that’s actually bigger in size, and so the Niro is the one to go for if you want a mainstream EV that’s perfect for family duties.

Continue to Page 4 for a Chinese contender that proves to be excellent value

Page 1 – Introduction
Page 2 – Hyundai Kona Electric
Page 3 – Kia Niro Electric
Page 4 – MG ZS Electric

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MG ZS Electric

Our pick: MG ZS from S$125,888 with COE (Aug 2021)
Read our review of the MG ZS here

The cheapest EVs you can buy in Singapore hail from China. Specialist Chinese EV brand BYD has two models on sale here, each retailing for under S$120,000 with COE. But while they are competent as basic transportation, they do fall a bit short in terms of overall quality and driving experience.

If you want something that’s a significant upgrade but still affordable, then your next best bet is the MG ZS. Like the BYDs, the MG is also Chinese-made, but the similarities end there, for the MG is a hugely impressive offering that proves to be excellent value.

For S$125,888 with COE, you get a well-built SUV that’s spacious, safe and decent to drive. It’s no sports car (despite its illustrious badge), but it serves its purpose as a family SUV well, while at the same time demonstrating that the Chinese are truly capable of delivering a product that can compete with the best.

The drivetrain of the ZS consists of an electric motor that produces 141hp and 353Nm of torque, powered by a 44.5kWH battery, and MG says that it is good for a range of 335km fully charged. While it doesn't quite match the Koreans’ long range capabilities, the MG should be more than enough for the average Singaporean driver, and can also accept fast charging too.

You’ve got to bear in mind the MG’s price tag though, and for what you’re paying, you’re getting a car that’s fairly decently equipped. There’s plenty of convenience features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity and lots of USB ports everywhere, while six airbag ensure that you and your family are kept safe.

What the MG ZS offers though is an opportunity to completely redefine the Singaporean car buyer’s thinking. The MG brand proves that Chinese cars need not be badly built or poorly equipped, and the ZS in particular demonstrates that electric motoring need not be expensive or out of reach for the mainstream buyer.

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