Skyworth K Review: Basics done Right

What we like:

Decently powerful

Spacious

No-frills approach

What we dislike:

Spartan interior

Skyworth is better known for its televisions and refrigerators. Venturing into the automotive space? This is something we didn’t know about until the brand’s entry into Singapore. Although you may feel quizzical about how Skyworth can have the know-how to enter a completely different industry, let’s not forget that Xiaomi also builds cars, and very desirable ones at that. I would hazard a guess that electric vehicles (EVs) would require less legacy knowledge, and many parts can be shared with other EV manufacturers in the supply chain.

The K is unique as it is a Cat B COE offering at a price point that is usually populated by Cat A vehicles. At around $180k at press time, it goes against the likes of the Aion V which is probably its closest competitor as it offers an equally spacious interior, albeit as a Cat A model. Looking further afield, there is the smaller BYD Atto 3, or the pricier but similarly sized BYD Sealion 7.

All of these cars offer remarkable space for the amount you are paying, which just goes to show how much value you are getting from these Chinese EVs. However, with the K you are getting 201 bhp and 320 Nm, giving you an acceleration time of 0-100 km/h in 9.6 seconds. This is 0.2 seconds quicker than the Aion V. From the driver’s seat, the K certainly doesn’t feel underpowered.

Its character leans firmly into the comfort side of things, which is no bad thing. The plush damping makes the K relaxing to drive, while all controls like the steering and braking feel quite well-judged. Same goes for the interior, which is spartan but logically designed. You can see where Skyworth’s experience in making consumer products come in handy here.

With a range of 489 km on the WLTP cycle, the K also goes further than most of its competitors - and is comparable with the Aion V, itself boasting to have the highest range of any Cat A vehicle. Our test drive suggests that this figure is entirely achievable, and is maybe even a conservative estimate. The K takes AC charging at 11 kW and DC charging at 100 kW, the latter allowing a charge of the massive 86 kWh battery from 20% to 70% in around 45 minutes.

As the first car from Skyworth in the Singapore market, the K has exceeded expectations. It’ll have great appeal for those who want a no-frills EV that’s generous with space, has decent range and is amply powered. It got all of the basics very right.

Photos by James Wong

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