Nine cars to watch for in 2025

EVERY year, the car industry runs at full speed to crank out fresh new models with ever bigger touchscreens (and in BMW’s case, ever bigger front grilles), ever fewer buttons and ever more efficiency.

And thanks to bold upstarts, a fightback from legacy players and a relentless march towards electrification, this year is shaping up to be a definitive one for new cars.

Whether it’s electric beasts ready to burn rubber or petrol-powered rebels refusing to go quietly into the night, these are the nine cars you’ll want to keep an eye on in 2025.

Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

For those who still believe cars should look like cars, the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron should be a breath of fresh air – which it happens to slip through smoothly, as Audi’s most aerodynamic car ever. Set to arrive in the third quarter of the year, the sleek, low-slung electric car packs 270 kilowatts (367 horsepower) of power, with adaptive air suspension to balance comfort with sporty handling.

Digital light signatures and illuminated rear rings are a part of Audi’s new design era, but the brand is entering a new retail era in Singapore this year, too. With a direct-to-consumer model, a new “House of Progress” brand centre on Cross Street and an online purchase platform, 2025 will be a landmark year for the brand. The A6 Sportback e-tron might be just one of 11 new models on the launch schedule in 2025, but all eyes will be on Audi itself.

Bentley Continental GT Mulliner

Bentley’s gorgeous Continental GT Mulliner is not so much a car as it is a five-star hotel suite strapped to a rocket. With 782 hp, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) hits 100 kmh in a scintillating 3.1 seconds, and surges on to 335 kmh if you can find the bravery (not to mention, the space) to keep the accelerator pinned.

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Conversely, a 25.9 kWh battery offers a serene 80 km or so of electric-only cruising, making this a Bentley-style stepping stone to an all-electric future.

For S$1,668,000 (without Certificate of Entitlement or options), the GT Mulliner is only available on special order, with each commission requiring a six-month wait. For the typical Bentley buyer, the real test likely won’t be about patience, but about reining in the urge to splurge on options and keep the bill under S$2 million.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

It’s not the flashiest BMW, but in Singapore, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is one of the most important, bringing home strong sales by offering the brand’s cachet for relatively accessible prices.

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With the sharp new face and swish cabin borrowed from the latest 1 Series, plus refined styling all around, could it be primed for more sales success when it enters the market in the first half of the year?

In fact, the 216 (at just over S$220,000 with COE) will test if Singaporean drivers are ready to swop mass-luxury combustion for roomier, zippier EVs from China for similar money. Yet, there’s always the M235 xDrive (set aside around S$370,000), which is bound to offer the kind of sparkling drive that makes a compelling argument for sticking with fiery, fabulous petrol.

BYD Sealion 7

Launching at the Singapore Motorshow on Jan 9, the BYD Sealion 7 is a pure electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) that needs to make waves; having clinched the sales crown last year, BYD will be counting on it to get its 2025 off to a strong start.

Prospects are strong for the mid-size EV, thanks to its roomy cabin and family-friendly versatility. Both single and dual-motor versions are available, with the former priced at just under S$194,000, making it wallet-friendly by EV standards. But with the budget EV SUV pool getting more crowded and competitive, will the Sealion 7 sink or swim?

Deepal S07

Yet another Chinese EV making its debut at the Singapore Motorshow, the Deepal S07 will set out to prove that affordable can still mean exciting. With an estimated S$190,000 (with COE) price tag, it packs a 160 kW (218 hp) motor and has a claimed range of 470 km.

It’s also sleek and tech-laden, with features like a 15.6-inch touchscreen powered by a brawny Qualcomm 8155 chip and augmented reality head-up display navigation.

Being new to Singapore, Deepal will have some brand-building to do, but it has the benefit of backing from Changan, a financially robust powerhouse that claims to spend more on R&D than any rival in China.

Kia EV5

An electric SUV from a familiar name, the Kia EV5 ticks several important boxes. It has a Category A-friendly motor, an 88.1 kWh battery delivering over 500 km of range and pricing below S$200,000.

Its striking looks, spacious boot and bright, modern cabin make it as practical as it is stylish, and the EV5 will win fans if it can stick to the Kia playbook: by being one of the best-value EVs of 2025.

GWM Ora 07

Set to go on sale at the Singapore Motorshow (where else?), the GWM Ora 07 has a clear mission to stand out in an increasingly cookie-cutter EV world. Its retro-futuristic styling, which borrows heavily from Porsche, delivers curves and charm in equal measure, while the cabin offers a sporty, well-equipped setting that feels refreshingly different from the minimalist EV norm.

Underneath the sleek design sits a 150 kW (204 hp) motor that drives the front wheels. It’s paired with an 83.5 kWh battery, good for an impressive 570 km range. Which means it could swing a road trip to Kuala Lumpur without breaking a sweat – or your back, thanks to ventilated massage chairs up front.

A 1.7 sq m panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel airy, while 19 sensors and cameras enable driver assistance features like full self-parking and collision avoidance. Tipped to cost less than S$200,000 with COE, the Ora 07 could change the way we look at EVs.

Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX

With its irresistible presence and cheery appearance, the Volkswagen ID.Buzz is already a rolling ray of sunshine, but the GTX version – landing later this year – turns up the wattage. With 340 hp from a dual-motor set-up, it serves up rapid acceleration, responsive steering and has surprisingly stable cornering behaviour, despite its van-like stature.

The speedy performance is matched with dark body trim, and inside it is every bit the micro bus that gave its ancestors their nickname, with space for seven adults and enough room to host a pilates class if you remove the rear bench.

But beyond its dimensions, the ID.Buzz measures up in how it makes you feel. It has a habit of brightening the day of everyone who sits inside it, which is an asset for a family car. The GTX’s powerhouse performance is all about giving the driver an extra Buzz.

Zeekr 7X

Driving a car for half a minute isn’t usually enough to impress anyone, but taking the Zeekr 7X for a quick spin on a closed course at the Ningbo International Circuit definitely left me wanting more. Its powerful acceleration, premium cabin and pliant suspension make it clear that this pure electric SUV is coming for the Tesla Model Y’s lunch, and is bringing style and poise to the table.

Making its Singapore Motorshow debut ahead of a mid-2025 launch, the 7X’s final specs and pricing remain under wraps, but Zeekr is well aware that, despite its product strength, it has yet to achieve the brand recognition of BMW or Mercedes-Benz, so expect its cars to deliver more than German rivals for less money. At least for now.

Meanwhile, Zeekr is making moves to enhance product appeal in Singapore, and will launch a Category A version of its compact X before the middle of the year. One thing’s clear: anyone shopping for a premium electric SUV in 2025 is royally spoilt for choice.