The Neta AYA encapsulates the steep uphill battle for budget-friendly cars in Singapore.
Being a budget-friendly car in Singapore is no easy feat. With the world’s highest car prices, affordable runabouts are quickly becoming an endangered species.
The current COE landscape favours luxury brands, where the additional cost of ownership is a smaller percentage of the overall price.
Let’s illustrate an example. The bread-and-butter Toyota Corolla Altis is currently priced at $164,888, with its $96,000 Category A COE making up a staggering 58% of the car’s cost.
With more than half of its price going effectively to taxes, this is the unfortunate reality of Singapore’s car market, where once-popular, everyday commuter cars are disappearing.
But that has not stopped Neta, a new player in the EV space, from introducing the AYA, a compact electric hatchback aimed at cost-conscious drivers.
Whether it finds a place in the hands of new drivers or fleet operators remains to be seen.
A New Player
The name AYA supposedly stands for “Amazing, Young, Active”, an attempt at marketing towards younger, urban drivers looking for a no-frills EV experience. It is Neta’s entry-level model, positioned as a simple and practical electric car for city dwellers.
However, the design of the AYA seems a little at odds. The brand’s X crossover has sleek, cohesive styling. In contrast, the older AYA is unconventional, sporting a hatchback shape with a fastback-style tailgate. Almost reminiscent of the Mitsubishi Colt Plus.
It is an interesting mix of lines and curves, and while it may not be to everyone’s taste, the rear design is perhaps its most resolved angle. The full-width taillight and roof spoiler does give it a distinctive look; something that could work in its favour as a fresh entrant into the market.
Looking different is better than being forgettable, after all.
It’s Compact But Surprisingly Practical
The AYA sits on the smaller side of the spectrum, measuring 4 metres in length, 1.7 metres in width, and 1.54 metres in height. It is larger than a kei car but narrower than a typical family hatchback.
The wheelbase stretches 2.4 metres, providing a respectable amount of interior room.
Step inside, and you are immediately greeted by a 14.6-inch tablet-style infotainment display that dominates the cabin. In a car of this size, the screen almost feels oversized, drawing attention away from everything else.
The dashboard, meanwhile, is trimmed with what appears to be brushed aluminium, which helps break away from the plastics.
Tech-wise, the AYA keeps things simple and intuitive. Apple users, in particular, will appreciate how CarPlay loads instantly when plugged in, providing quick access to navigation and music.
Another standout feature is the small, rounded-square steering wheel, reminiscent of what you would find in the Peugeot e-2008. The good news? It does not obstruct your view of the 12.0-inch digital instrument panel. The bad news? It is completely non-adjustable.
This means that getting comfortable behind the wheel is a gamble. You will have to hope that after adjusting your seat, the wheel sits at the right distance.
It might be a cost-saving measure, or it might be to prevent the instrument cluster from being blocked. Either way, it is an ergonomic flaw that could have been avoided.
How spacious is it?
For a compact hatchback, the AYA makes good use of its space. The flat rear floor helps maximise legroom, but taller folk might find it a tight fit.
Seating three adults in the back is possible, but not ideal, as shoulders will inevitably brush against each other.
Boot space is a respectable 335 litres with the rear seats in place. However, there is no split-folding functionality; it is all or nothing. Fold the back seats, and capacity increases to 588 litres.
Is it good to drive?
Powering the Neta AYA is a 40.7kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which Neta claims delivers a WLTP range of 338km. Official figures suggest an energy consumption rate of 13.8 kWh/100km, but real-world driving tells a slightly different story.
During testing, the AYA proved to be more efficient than expected. On routes that included more expressway driving, it returned 10.8kWh/100km, an impressive figure. At this level, the AYA should comfortably cover over 300km per charge.
That said, performance is best described as ‘modest’. The motor produces 70kW (94bhp) and 150Nm of torque, meaning the 0-100km/h sprint takes a leisurely 12 seconds. Top speed is capped at approximately 110km/h.
While these figures will not excite enthusiasts, the AYA does offer one key advantage over traditional petrol-powered hatchbacks; it never sounds like it is struggling.
For new drivers, the AYA is an easy car to get along with. Its compact size makes parallel parking effortless, and tight multi-storey carparks feel far less intimidating.
Handling is predictable, and while it lacks the sharpness of sportier hatchbacks, it is composed enough for everyday use. The ride quality is ‘fair’, considering the short wheelbase, but wind noise is noticeable at virtually any speed.
Unlike many modern EVs, the AYA does not come with an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Safety features are basic, with just two front airbags, ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control.
Interestingly, it does include Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control, and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, which are unexpected bonuses in an otherwise minimalistic package.
Everything Goes Back To Pricing
And this is where things get complicated. The AYA starts at $143,888 with COE, putting it in direct competition with better-equipped rivals.
For instance, the Dongfeng Box offers a longer wheelbase and more interior space at a similar price point. The Aion Y Plus crossover, which is significantly roomier, is only a smidgen more expensive.
At its current pricing, the AYA struggles to justify itself as a private buy. Which means…
Unfortunately, This Will Be For Fleet Operators
The Neta AYA is a compact, no-frills EV that is easy to drive, efficient, and surprisingly practical for its size. But in Singapore’s tough car market, being priced right is a paramount struggle.
For now, fleet operators are more likely to be its main customers, rather than private buyers. A lower price could change that, but until then, the AYA remains a decent EV that is simply too expensive for what it offers.
Technical Specifications
Neta AYA
Powertrain: Single Electric Motor, Front-Wheel Drive
Power: 70 kW (94 bhp)
Torque: 150 Nm
Gearbox: Single-Speed (A)
0-100km/h: 11 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 101 km/h
Battery Capacity: 40.7 kWh
Drive Range: 338 km (claimed)
Energy Consumption: 13.8 kWh/100km (claimed)
Price: S$143,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Neta Singapore
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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