A four-door saloon is topping this year's sales chart, as usual, but it's not the Toyota Corolla Altis…Four-door saloons have topped the sales charts in Singapore for as long as I can remember, so it's no surprise to find that a saloon tops this year's list.
But the perennial favourite, the Toyota Corolla Altis, has been ousted from the top spot by a new entrant. Let's count down the top ten best-selling cars here in Singapore so far this year…
10) Lancer GLX (from $52,988)
The GLX is basically a cut-price version of the previous generation Lancer. Despite its age, it's still a popular choice thanks to it's 'Made in Japan' appeal and attractive price tag. The engine is a little noisy though, and the CVT gearbox not the most efficient.
9) Honda Jazz (from $69,100)
The Jazz is the island's most popular compact hatchback model, and it's not hard to see why. The little Honda is possibly the smartest packaged small car out there, offering acres of space on the inside. Another strong point of the Jazz is its fuel efficiency - the engines are absolute misers when drinking unleaded.
8) Nissan Latio (from $71,000)
The Latio's stable mate, the Sunny, used to be the biggest-selling car. Although popular, the Latio isn't as popular, perhaps due to the many cheaper models available these days. The compact Nissan comes in either a five-door hatch or four-door saloon to widen its appeal.
7) Honda Civic (from $83,300)
One of the hot favourites in recent years, Civic sales have fallen recently due to its premium pricing and age. There are a wide variety of variants available to suit almost every need, including a hybrid version and a hot Type R performance model.
6) Toyota Camry (from $96,988)
One of many Toyota models in the top ten - it seems that local car buyers can't seem to stay away from the Japanese brand. The Camry dominates the large saloon class even though there are plenty of talented competition in the form of the Nissan Teana, Mazda 6 and Honda Accord, among others.
5) Toyota Wish (from $72,000)
The Wish is Singapore's most popular MPV, by far. Just like the Toyota saloon models in the top ten, it's a logical choice for car buyers here. Despite its relatively compact exterior dimensions, the interior offers reasonable space for seven occupants. Fuel economy is another strong point thanks to the efficient 1.8-litre VVTi motor. A new generation model is due later this year.
4) Kia Cerato Forte (from $46,999)
The Cerato Forte has been the surprise of the year so far. Kia's latest compact saloon is a quantum leap in all areas over its predecessor. It's biggest draws are probably the sharp styling inside and out, and the amount of standard equipment it offers despite its budget price tag. If there's a car that ought to convince you that the Koreans have reached or even surpass the standard of the Japanese, the Cerato Forte will be it. I expect this to be an even more common sight on our roads by year's end.
3) Toyota Vios (from $56,888)
Yes, another Toyota - they're in a strong position to be the number one brand here by year's end. Just like the Altis (see below), the Thai-made Vios is a car designed and developed specifically for South-East Asian markets, catering to the needs of the region's drivers. The styling is a tad on the boring side, but its other virtues are more than enough to make up for this.
2) Toyota Corolla Altis (from $72,488)
Live with an Altis for a couple of days and you'll understand its appeal and popularity. There is just little to loathe about this car - the engines offer strong and efficient performance, the equipment list is long, and it looks inoffensive. Best of all, it offers Toyota dependability.
1) Hyundai Avante (from $47,999)
The Korean marque bounced back to the upper reaches of the sales charts after a rather quiet past few years. The Avante has been around for several years but recent price revisions (thanks to the weak Korean won), has made it really popular for those on a limited budget for a compact saloon. That said, there's hardly anything outstanding about the Avante other than its affordable price.
Note: prices correct as of 10 September, 2009.
Glad Avante top the sales for Saloon cars this year... I'm proud to be part of the Avante family... =) And I believe this car is good in term of performance, soundproof, outlook, comfortable and many other aspects of a saloon car beside its price... So.. this car really OUTSTANDING... You should own one & you will believe me...
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Only those who own an Avante know how to appreciate it. Me, just another proud owner of Avante family.
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Only those who own an Avante knows how to appreciate it. Me just another proud owner of Avante.
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From the article, "That said, there's hardly anything outstanding about the Avante other than its affordable price." So because its affortable therefore it tends to sell better... that reality !
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Owning the most common car on the road and something to shout about. How interesting...Boomz to that.
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well, ppl who are not the supporters of hyundai are still in the Era of the 1980-1990s where the true Elantra are like tankers to be driven in Singapore. Heavy, FC bad, unstable engines etc. Felt ashame of those who are still not accepting the face that, Korea Car make are picking up the market esp when the Avante is first introduced in 2006. theres afew reason why Avantes are at the top of the sales list. 1. hyundai singapore is clever to market their cars at a averagely low price. this doesnt means that the car are made of inferior material, because they do not add in alot of gadget to brg up the price of the car. 2. because of the weak Won and Strong Yen, that doesnt make sense to pay a $72k for a "Thai" make Altis for a Korea make Avante. ( i will chose Make in Korea than Make in Thailand) 3. for a 121bhp @ 6000rpm @ $47k, tell mi who is not attracted to it? tell mi its performing lousier than Vios or Altis. 4. for 47k, Avante do not have reverse sensor, no leather sits, no auto climate aircon, Simply BECAUSE, all this cost $$$. if you add all this gadget into avante, with bigger sports rim, sunroof, retractable side mirrors, etc etc, that i guess avante would have cost at the range of $55-65k. than i guess, maybe Altis might be the top sale again. with all this comment above, i dont see why not avante is not the top sale. im a proud Avante Owner, and FC avg about 11-13km/l, Only those driven avante will knows how good it is, and changes the mindset about koreans car and they have moved on, cos i have gotten alot of positive and also negative feedback about it. The rest, are juz sadly living in the olden days ERA, filling up empty review from their dumb brains without owning a Avante and corrupt others mindset about it.
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The Kia Forte is really something!It is the best Korean car I have owned so far!It has good pick up and the drive is very smooth.The exterior n interior surpassed the Vios n Avante.Performance is much better than the Vios, which I drove for 6 mths n give up!It is similar to the Altis, but I get a fraction of its price.I used to think that Japanese brands are better but since many models are made in Thailand, their standards dropped so much that Korean cars are better than those "Thai-made" ones now.I am a proud owner of the Kia Forte.
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I totally disagreed with the author. Avante did stand out from the rest, in term of comfort, performance, economical and look. It is a well-balanced in term of every aspect. It can be a comfortable family car or transform it into a fierce-looking performance car. If not, it won't be the top selling car in singapore. Go and test drive one and you know what I mean.
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"Cheap and good" is what Avante is. A rare combination. Quiet cabin, spacious, fuel efficient (i get 15km/l on city roads, 16km/l on highway for 1.6l manual version), comfortable. Driving experience much better than my previous 2004 Sunny. All for under 40k (in May 09). If you want better, then you'll need another 30k, cos you won't find anything better for less, except for maybe the Kia Cerato Forte.
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most hyundai cars are already spoiled before leaving factory .. some says even on the drawing board things thats where it has bone wrong .. thats why when you an open Elantra's bonnet is has the abbrevation DOHC its coin as Dont Buy Hyundai Cars.
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