Eight sensational SUVs that won in Round 1 slug it out for the title of Overall Best SUV.

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How Does ACOTY Define This Class?

Price and powertrain don’t matter. From affordable to astronomical, internal combustion, hybrid and battery electric all make an appearance here. The Overall Best SUV is chosen from among a pool of Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) that won in Round 1. Check out their respective Round 1 awards below.

Meet The Contenders

BYD Atto 3

The BYD Atto 3 won Best Cat A SUV EV because the judging panel was impressed with how efficient it is, and how it feels the more complete package as an EV SUV. Being roomy, spacious, comfortable, and tech-focused, it also has a clean exterior design that will appeal to many.

BMW X1 xDrive16i

The BMW X1 sDrive16i brings technological accoutrements and a loud paint colour to the table, but tempers that with practicality, ease of driving and a punchy engine and smooth gearbox. Plus no one can argue with the BMW brand cachet, which is why it won Best Cat A SUV in Round 1.

Audi SQ 7

The Audi SQ7 features a clean design language that offers so much practicality and pace at its price point. Despite competing in the luxury SUV segment, value-for-money matters, which is why the SQ7 decisively won the Best Luxury SUV award.

BMW XM

The BMW XM is the absolute most expensive vehicle in the ACOTY 2024 line-up. What won it the Best Premium Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid award in Round 1 is that the XM is a strong statement in the automotive industry with its ballsy go-big-or-go-home nature.

Hyundai Palisade

The Hyundai Palisade comes across as well-deserving of its palatial-sounding name. It is the most competent SUV on test in its segment, and the practicality and comfort it offers, combined with value-proposition is why the Palisade won Best Premium SUV.

Audi Q3

The Audi Q3 feels like the most grown-up and well-put-together SUV in its segment to the judging panel. Audi’s renowned build quality and solidity, along with a clean and premium design aesthetic feature here. With ample technology and an interior that will take five occupants without too much bother, its frugality and comfortable nature clinched it Best Category B SUV in Round 1.

Volvo XC40 Recharge

The Volvo XC40 Recharge won Best Cat B SUV EV due to its price and the upmarket experience one receives for the money. Its clean minimalist aesthetic, an interior that exudes functionality, practicality and eco-friendly material choices, and a battery pack that offers very good real-world range makes the XC40 Recharge a winner in our books.

Nissan X-trail e-Power

The Nissan X-Trail e-Power shines in its ability to be cost-friendly, extremely practical, and stylish, doing everything a typical Singaporean family would desire. All of this while putting a smile on your face and wallet. This is why it won the Best Cat B Hybrid/Plug-in Hybrid award.

So who won?

Eight SUVs to choose from, with each that shines as a beacon of light in their own categories. This was no easy task for the judging panel. However, once all was said and done, there was the one.

Where the points tally in Round 1 was the final determinant of each category’s winner, here in Round 2, points are taken into consideration but are not the final arbiter of victory.

Vehicle	Points Tally	Price Percentile
Nissan X-Trail e-Power	366	49
BMW X1 sDrive16i	359	45
Audi SQ 7	355	89
BYD Atto 3	352	24
Hyundai Palisade	347	62
BMW XM	347	100
Volvo XC40 Recharge	324	55
Audi Q3	319	43

The Nissan X-Trail e-Power brings so much to the table at its price point. It is well-appointed, very comfortable and easy to drive, and that pretty much sealed the deal for the judging panel, who unanimously love this SUV anyway.

More on the scoring categories used to derive points in Round 1 here.

Congratulations to the Nissan X-Trail e-Power for winning the AutoApp Car of the Year 2024 Overall Best SUV!

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