Four-door sedan EVs are becoming a fine alternative to the proliferation of SUVs. Here are three to consider.

The electrification of motoring is well underway if the number of EVs on the road is anything to go by. Given Singapore’s increasingly well-set up charging infrastructure, many drivers have taken the plunge to go the way of electric.

What started out as a genre mostly dedicated to SUVs has given way to more options for the EV buyer. The popular four-door saloon option is now offering EV versions that are as fine to look at as they are economical to run.

BYD SEAL

You may be forgiven to believe that BYD makes only electric SUVs given the blanketing of our roads with the ever-popular ATTO3. But to ignore their other models will be a travesty to your good sense.

If you prefer a statelier countenance on the roads, and a closer-to-the-ground type of driving sensation, the BYD SEAL Dynamic 100kW is a good choice. The fact that it is also a Category A COE car makes it even more a desirable selection.

Coming from arguably the largest maker of electric car batteries aside, the BYD SEAL taps into a more affordable segment while also providing all the advantages an EV provides. The BYD SEAL is not to be confused with the BYD Seal 6 EV, the latter being a smaller, more affordable version.

The smart-looking SEAL has an impressive range of 460km (WLTP, Dynamic model), suiting both urban and long-distance travel. The 310Nm torque is more than ample for a powerful and smooth-accelerating drive. On DC charging, you can get the 61.4kW battery to 80 per cent in just half an hour.

The BYD SEAL was voted the Portuguese Car of the Year, and Japan EV of the Year in 2024. It was also a top three finalist in the World Car of the Year award last year. Here in Singapore, the car took the 2024 OneShift Premium EV Sedan of the Year award.

The 2025 model sees some improvements. The “frunk” (front trunk) has been increased to 53 litres, and there is an easy-to-use electric sunshade for UV protection. In the back boot, 405 litres of space is offered with the seats up

The car now boasts 18-inch wheels for a more muscular stance. To continue the oceanic theme of the BYD cars, Shark Grey is now a colour option. The Thaumas Black interior tone adds a touch of luxury and class, regardless of the colour outside.

Inside, the panoramic sunroof brings the outside in, providing clear views of the surroundings. High-end features like heads-up display, a dynamic performance audio system and an NFC car key that unlocks the door in seconds without a network or power helps the BYD SEAL punch way above its weight. The car also has wired and wireless charging for your devices

A good range of safety features is also available. Fatigue Monitoring system uses smart algorithms to keep an eye on driver fatigue. Other premium safety features include:

• Auto Emergency Braking that helps prevent collisions by applying brakes when danger is detected,
• Blind Spot Detection,
• Door Open Warning that monitors oncoming traffic and warns drivers when it’s not safe to open the doors,
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert,
• Lane Departure Warning,
• Adaptive Cruise Control to help make highway driving easier and safer, and
• Adaptive Front Lights enhance visibility by adjusting the headlights based on steering and speed.

The BYD SEAL 2025 comes in three variants – Dynamic (rear wheel drive, 460km range, 100kW power), Premium (rear wheel drive, 570km, 230kW), and Performance (all-wheel drive, 520km, 390kW)

PRICE

FROM $229,388 WITH COE (PREMIUM MODEL)

 

ENGINE

100KW PERMANENT MAGNET SYNCHRONOUS ELECTRIC MOTOR, REAR WHEEL DRIVE

 

POWER

100KW, 134HP

 

TORQUE

310NM

 

BATTERY CAPACITY

61.44KWH

 

0-100KM/H

7.5 SECONDS

 

DISTRIBUTOR

BYD SIME MOTORS

T 1800 2255 777

HYUNDAI IONIQ 6

The sleek IONIQ 6 shouts out “Made in Singapore” loud and proud, following in the footsteps of the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 5 robotaxi rolling out of the Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center Singapore (HMGICS). Certainly, there is nothing shy or soft-spoken about the sleek EV sedan that boasts enhanced innovation and design, environmentally friendly features and quality components and elements.

The car is the latest model to be produced locally by HMGICS and comes with a proprietary automated and intelligent cell-based production platform. In addition, a data-driven intelligent production process using advanced technologies such as AI, Robotics, and Digital Twin brings a production to flexibly demand and interact with customers and respond to their needs with agility, ensuring exceptional quality products.

The IONIQ 6 has won a long list of awards, including World Car of the Year 2023, World Electric Vehicle of the Year 2023, and World Car Design of the Year 2023.

The unique aerodynamic shape is one of its main selling points. The innovative, streamlined silhouette has aerodynamics of 0.217 CD and an AER of up to 614km (WLTP). The car comes in four trims – Inspiration (77 kWh, Cat B), Prestige (77 kWh, Cat B), Prestige (53 kWh, Cat A), and Exclusive (53 kWh, Cat A), and the long-range Prestige (77 kWh) two-wheel drive model that boasts a range of up to 614 km (WLTP), compared to the 519 km (WLTP) of the all-wheel drive version. Multi Ultra-Fast Charging, furthermore, gets you from 10% to 80% in under 18 minutes.

Regardless of variants, the IONIQ 6 is loaded with technology and aesthetic features, and is now the second model to feature Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), allowing for ample interior space not only for passengers but luggage.

Unique to the made-in-Singapore car, local production also allows for enhanced connectivity features like Bluelink connectivity with Connected Car Services and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. With Connected Car Services, the made-in-Singapore IONIQ 6 will deliver seamless connectivity through online voice recognition and a wide range of features for a more convenient and enjoyable driving experience. The OTA vehicle software updates also provide the newest improvements as soon as they are released. Features like the latest maps and infotainment features can be updated wirelessly and synchronised at a push of a button, reducing dealership visits.

These features are enjoyed through the many finely appointed aspects of the car’s interior. The interactive LED Steering Wheel (select trims) has four interactive pixel lights and LED lights on the crash pad indicating various car statuses. And the 12.3-inch instrument cluster with full TFT display is combined with the infotainment touchscreen for a seamless transition and wider access.

IONIQ 6 also has a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature that allows it to become a 3.6kW power source for electronic devices viz-a-viz a three-pin socket located under the middle seat of the second row. There’s also an outdoor version through a charging port on the exterior of the vehicle.

Zero Gravity Front Seats are available in select trims, and the door handle has been relocated to the centre console freeing up valuable space and storage on the door panel. Additionally, dual-colour ambient lighting integrated into the upper and lower door trims offers a choice of 64 colours or 6 customisable dual-colour themes to match your mood.

Hyundai SmartSense features include Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Smart Cruise Control, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance, and Front Collision-Avoidance. The 360-degree surround view monitor keeps everything in check and in your sights.

On an environmentally friendly front, the BIO-TPO crash pad is made of environmentally friendly fibres extracted from sugarcane. Leather for the seats is processed with natural flaxseed oil. And the dashboard and door trims are coated with bio paint from rapeseed flowers and corn extract.

Hyundai continues to collaborate with its partners to roll out enhanced charging solutions to increase ease, convenience, and accessibility of EV charging, a key concern for drivers adopting EVs in Singapore. For home charging at private estates, Hyundai and Schneider Electric, the leading AC charger provider in Singapore, will offer an industry-leading three-year product warranty to introduce the latest home charger that comes with an extended cable length. This will allow users easy access to charging, regardless of the parking position.

PRICE

FROM $237,888 WITH COE

 

ENGINE

ELECTRIC MOTOR WITH LITHIUM-ION 53KWH BATTERY (EXCLUSIVE TRIM)

 

POWER

107KW

 

TORQUE

350NM

 

BATTERY CAPACITY

53KWH

 

0-100KM/H

9.4 SECONDS (EXCLUSIVE)

 

DISTRIBUTOR

KOMOCO MOTORS PTE LTD

T 6475 8888

TESLA MODEL 3

Tesla the way in how electrification of motoring is occurring right now. The Tesla Model 3 is a fine automobile in its truest sense, with good road holding, powerful acceleration, and a performance-slanted demeanour. The fact that it has a very large tablet stuck to its dashboard – that can do an amazing wealth of things – is just icing on the cake.

The Model 3 ticks the boxes in everything you need in a four-door EV. It’s got great range at 750km (WLTP), and can recharge up to 311km in just a quarter of an hour. It also looks nice. It’s fuss-free, sleek silhouette is easy on the eye, and the seamless way the back of the car connects with the side panels makes it one of the best-designed models from the brand.

If you like bells and whistles, switches and levers, and everything in between in a car, look elsewhere. The Tesla Model 3 is for the minimalist aesthete, someone who believes that less is more. Everything you need to do is found on the centre touchscreen. This thing does just about anything you need to do in the car from navigation, managing the vehicle, pre-conditioning the air space, or planning your charging stops on a long drive.

With certain subscriptions, you can also watch your favourite YouTube channels. You can also charge two phones at the same time, and enjoy crystal clear calls.

One additional nice feature is that the seats can be ventilated by your smartphone before you enter the car, and also allows you to adjust the climate control remotely.

Tesla cars, and the Model 3 is no exception, are reputedly engineered to be the safest in the world. The all-electric architecture lowers the chance of the car rolling over. A patented side sill structure supports the chassis to absorb impact energy and protect occupants and battery. And the rigid body and fortified battery help to reduce and prevent cabin intrusion on impact. Large empty space in the front and rear further reduce occupant injury, and the eight cameras in the car offer great vision of everything around.

On top of that, the Model 3 also has Automatic Emergency Braking when pedestrians or objects are detected, Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Collision Warning, and Lane Departure Avoidance where lane-centring steering is applied if a potential collision or unintended lane departure is detected.

The Tesla Model 3 is available in three variants – Long Range Rear Wheel Drive, Rear Wheel Drive, and Rear Wheel Drive 110.

PRICE

FROM $210,402 WITH COE

 

ENGINE

REAR WHEEL LITHIUM-ION BATTERY

 

POWER

110KW (148BHP, REAR WHEEL DRIVE 110 MODEL)

 

TORQUE 

350NM

 

BATTERY CAPACITY

60KWH

 

0-100KM/H

8.6 SECONDS

 

DISTRIBUTOR

TESLA SINGAPORE

T 1 8004 922289

The EV space is quickly evolving in Singapore. The government is pushing the widespread adoption of EVs and has enhanced charging infrastructure throughout the island. Combined with a greater tendency for car owners to adopt sustainable motoring, we are seeing more and more converting from ICE vehicles. This expanding list of EVs that compliment the more common SUV versions will just add to the allure.