Best cars to buy: Check out the ST-Torque Best Buys of 2019 guide

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Best cars to buy: Check out the STTorque Best Buys of 2019 guide

(Clockwise from top left) Skoda Superb, Hyundai i30N, Toyota Prius+ and Alpine A110. PHOTOS: ST FILE, KAH MOTOR

 PUBLISHED DEC 28, 2019, 5:00 AM SGT ST-Torque Best Buys of 2019 presents top choices from $76,000 to $929,000, and everything in between Christopher Tan Senior Correspondent

The year has been fairly uneventful for motorists, except for an inexplicable growth in the car population.

In many countries, growth in vehicle population is an inevitability tied to growing affluence. But Singapore's 29-year-old vehicle quota system now has a zero growth mechanism which puts the brakes on the population.

So, it is surprising that the vehicle population in the Republic grew by 1.4 per cent in the first nine months of the year to 970,344.

The growth was largely on the back of a 2.1 per cent increase in the car population to 630,902, according to figures from the Land Transport Authority.

The vehicle population growth - the first since 2013 - was fuelled mainly by a spike in private-hire cars, which ballooned by 12.9 per cent to 75,079.

At the same time, the number of people holding onto their old cars looks likely to hit another record this year. In the first nine months, 35,591 had already done so by revalidating their vehicle certificates of entitlement (COEs) - just shy of last year's full-year figure of 37,114.

While keeping a car beyond 10 years is always a viable option, the allure of a new car remains strong. If you are in the market for a new set of wheels, here is the annual Best Buys guide - running for over 30 years - to help you with your shopping.

COUPE/CONVERTIBLE

BMW 8-series Coupe. PHOTO: ST FILE

BMW's 8-series Coupe (from $604,888) is an elegant car with a commanding road presence. It exudes grandeur and sophistication, as well as a hearty intensity proffered by a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 making 530hp and 750Nm of torque. Zero to hundred is completed in 3.7 seconds, in a case of style meets speed.

On the surface, the Toyota Supra may appear as a rebadged hardtop version of the BMW Z4. But the car bearing the revered Supra name is actually a more capable and engaging driver's car. The one to get is clearly the 3-litre inline-six version ($225,000 without COE) with 340hp/500Nm, and a century sprint of 4.3 seconds.

A British two-seater with a long bonnet, taut silhouette and big wheels is still magical. And Jaguar's F-Type 2.0 ($311,999) makes owning such a car less painful too, because you do not have to worry about high road tax or high fuel costs associated with its 5-litre sibling. Its 2-litre turbo makes 300bhp and 400Nm to send the Jag to 100kmh in 5.7 seconds. Not blisteringly quick, but more than enough for Singapore roads.

BMW's Z4 ($343,888) is still an alluring roadster, and the latest one is even more so. It is bigger than its predecessor, yet remains agile. The Z4 M40i derives power from a 3-litre inline-six making 340hp and 500Nm to send the open-top to 100kmh in 4.5 seconds.

HATCHBACKÂ

Hyundai i30N. PHOTO: ST FILE

If you are looking for a hot hatch which offers bang for your buck, look no further than the Hyundai i30N (from $143,999). This 2-litre 250hp car sizzles like the Volkswagen Golf GTI, yet is priced slightly lower. A more mainstream variant would be the 1.4-litre 128hp i30, which starts from around $95,000.

The Suzuki Swift (from $75,900) remains a viable choice. It has a cheerful disposition, with a wellequipped and ergonomically laid-out cabin. With prices starting below $90,000, this 1-litre turbo proves that cheap does not necessarily have to be nasty.

MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE/WAGON

Toyota Prius+. PHOTO: ST FILE

The Toyota Prius+ ($121,000) is a petrol-electric seven-seater with plenty going for it. It has a compact footprint, making it easy to operate in Singapore's built-up environment. It is competitively priced, making it a viable successor to the retired Wish.

Peugeot's 5008 (from $142,888) is also a winner. It packs plenty of versatility, plus unmatched driveability - a rarity among multi-seaters here. Its chassis is beautifully tuned, dishing out top-notch ride comfort.

An attractive all-in-one car remains the Audi RS4 Avant ($395,360), a wagon with reasonable utility, tonnes of driving fun and an understated style which conveys good taste.

EXECUTIVE

Lexus ES. PHOTO: ST FILE

If reďŹ nement, comfort and value rank high on your list of priorities, then look no further than the Lexus ES (from $208,000). This car outshines many luxury contenders in space and smoothness, yet is priced more competitively than any of them.

A more unconventional choice would be the Kia Stinger (from $159,999 for the 2.0). The Straits Times Car of the Year 2018 is a game changer, delivering the excitement of a well-honed coupe, the practicality of an executive sedan and the purposefulness of a grand tourer - not to mention a good helping of X-factor missing in so many cars these days. Who says an executive car has to be straitlaced?

COMPACT EXECUTIVE

Skoda Superb. PHOTO: ST FILE

The Skoda Superb ($125,400 for the 1.8) has exquisite ride quality, adequate modern amenities and hardto-match value. We are talking about something with 7-series legroom but 1-series price tag. As with most modern Skoda cars, it comes with many standard-issue features, including navigation and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Park Assist automatic parking and wireless smartphone charging.

If however, you prefer something with a more premium brandname, you may consider the new BMW 3series (from $208,888). It is a big car with plenty of tech and a good measure of driving competency. You might want to avoid the 330i M Sport, though. Without adaptive dampers, its ride is as hard as nails.

COMPACT SALOONÂ

Mazda 3. PHOTO: ST FILE, YANG

The new Mazda 3 (from $98,888) wins hands down in this segment. Its mix of superb build quality, elegant styling and thoughtful packaging makes it the most compelling mass market car you can buy today.

While it may appear modestly endowed in the power department, its engine is willing and reďŹ ned. This makes hard revving an easy thing to do. Oh, there is a hatch version, too.

Can you be responsible and rebellious at the same time? The Skoda Octavia RS245 ($134,900) says you can. This 2-litre hoot of a practical car lets you have fun and functionality within the same hour. To boot, you don't have to hold down a second job to own one. Its 1-litre cousin is also a fantastic buy in terms of value.

BMW's new 1-series may appear as a modest model aimed at entry-level buyers, but it is in fact a surprisingly fun and competent car at the wheel. The BMW 118i (from $147,888) has a 1.5-litre threecylinder engine powering the front wheels, but the car feels zesty, engaging and surefooted. On this front, it stands tall compared with its bigger, more accomplished siblings.

SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE/ CROSSOVER

Jaguar I-Pace. PHOTO: ONG WEE JIN, ST FILE, BMW

If you want something that is truly novel and nice, the Jaguar I-Pace (from $354,999) ďŹ ts the bill. This electric all-wheel-drive is powered by a motor on each axle. With close to 700Nm of instant torque at its disposal, it sprints to 100kmh in 4.8 seconds. And unlike combustion engine models with comparable outputs, this Jag's delivery is as seamless as it is relentless, making driving in any situation a cinch.

The Suzuki Jimny (from $106,900) is also novel and nice. But it is nowhere as punchy as the I-Pace. The Jimny charms in its own way - by being a pint-sized true blue multi-terrain vehicle with an irresistable design and a unique driving behaviour. Never a dull moment at the wheel.

A slightly bigger and more urbane alternative to the Jimny is the Kia Stonic (from $79,999). This one-litre may not be as rugged as the Jimny, but it offers plenty of modern features, a pleasing design, and a sevenspeed dual-clutch transmission (unusual for its price segment).

In the premium compact segment, the BMW X2 (from $174,888) is the one with the most show and go. It handles more like a hot hatch than a crossover.

In the subcompact department, the Hyundai Kona Electric (from $143,999) is a viable contender. As is its sister car, the Kia Niro EV (from $181,999), which offers more space than the Kona. Both are electric cars which you can own relatively painlessly because they do not attract as high a road tax as their performance compatriots. Yet, both are thoroughly driveable, easily outrunning petrol equivalents.

Those who need even more space and versatility should consider the Skoda Kodiaq (from $137,900) - an enticing multi-seat SUV with German build quality, plenty of room and a host of innovative and useful features. It is also a pleasant car to drive.

Despite being a relatively old model, the Peugeot 3008 (from $118,800) still stands shoulder to shoulder against all the other vehicles mentioned here. Although styled like a crossover, it is on a par with premium saloons in the ride-and-handling department.

LUXURY

Mercedes-Benz CLS. PHOTO: ST FILE

The new Mercedes-Benz CLS is visually stunning, with plenty of prime estate inside. It packs a punchy and refined powertrain and has a chassis which rivals its S-class big brother in comfort. Stretched out at nearly 5m, the windswept coupe-like saloon has amazing go too. The CLS350 ($344,888) is powered by a 2-litre making close to 300hp to send the car to 100kmh in 6 seconds.

Those who want an unparalleled combination of performance and comfort should look to the MercedesAMG GT53 4-Door ($553,888). This family-friendly sports car has a turbocharged 3-litre inline-six which churns out 435hp to hurl the car to 100kmh in 4.5 seconds. And it makes the most soulful sound while doing it.

SPORTS CAR

Alpine A110. PHOTO: ST FILE, KAH MOTOR

If there was ever such a thing as a luxury gokart, the Alpine A110 ($275,000) would be it. The two-seater offers the purest form of driving pleasure, but without the rawness associated with kit cars. While supercars may be louder and showier, the A110 will give them a run for their money - especially along twistier stretches.

But if you want a supercar, the new Porsche 911 (from $478,788 before COE) is one of the finest you can buy. The eighth-generation car remains very much a 911, but nudges the envelope yet a little further towards comfort and day-to-day usability. The Carrera 4S blasts off to 100kmh in 3.4 seconds, and attains a top speed of 306kmh.

But if you are jaded with the usual offerings, and want a new-age sportscar, the Honda NSX ($928,999) is a head-turner with the biggest wow effect. The petrol-electric supercar will outgun a number of Porsches and Ferraris, and out-pose anything in the Lamborghini stable. Yes, it is pricey, but at least it looks like a million bucks.

Want to dial down the edginess and dial up the cushiness? Then the Lexus LC500 (from $546,000) fits the bill. This polished grand tourer delivers plenty of comfort, yet is muscular enough to keep you entertained on most days.

• Prices include COE unless stated and are correct at press time

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