This paper compares two stator-to-rotor pole ratio topologies, namely 12/10 and 12/8, of surface mounted axial-flux permanent-magnet machines with soft magnetic composite (SMC) cores. A quasi three-dimensional (3-D) analytical model is first developed for the derivation of machine static parameters. Two 5-kW @1000 rpm surface mounted AFPM segmented armature torus (SAT) machines are designed for direct-drive electric vehicle propulsion. The machine parameters from both analytical and and comprehensive 3-D finite element analysis (FEA) are evaluated and compared, and good agreements are achieved. Finally, efficient equation-based simulink models are established to compute the performances of the two machines, which have revealed that the 12/10 machine has better overall machine performance particularly lower torque ripple and higher overload capability.