First, let's introduce the Audi E5 Sportback. As a brand-new model just launched, this vehicle represents Audi's inaugural intelligent digital platform model. Not only does it inherit Audi's driving dynamics and design DNA, but it also incorporates a distinctly Chinese identity in the realm of intelligent technology, poised to attract new user groups into the Audi family. How does the Audi E5 Sportback fare as a solution to the electric and intelligent transformation challenges faced by traditional luxury brands in China? It certainly looks rather intriguing.
Audi has always possessed the exceptional design DNA for crafting the most beautiful estate cars. Let us now examine whether this Audi E5 Sportback inherits that outstanding design heritage. Undoubtedly, the Audi E5 Sportback's exterior design leans more towards the futuristic and technological. The highlight is undoubtedly the thousand illuminated units activated when the daytime running lights illuminate. The vehicle measures 4881/1960/1479mm in length, width and height respectively, with a wheelbase of 2950mm. The rear spoiler extends from the roof towards the rear, lending it a more sporty appeal when viewed from the side.
Had you shown me the T-shaped centre console of the Audi E5 Sportback a few years ago, I would have unhesitatingly deemed it a concept car's interior. Even today, in 2025, this production-ready cabin remains remarkably bold. This pioneering interior comprises a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 27-inch central passenger display, 7-inch digital rear-view mirrors, a head-up display system, and a steering wheel equally imbued with technological sophistication. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip and running the AUDI OS operating system, the infotainment system prioritises key information in its top-level menu. Combined with direct touch gestures for swift operation, it integrates a rich entertainment and app ecosystem, including CarPlay and HiCar smartphone connectivity.
The Audi E5 Sportback's seats employ a one-piece design, with comprehensive standard equipment including front seat heating, ventilation, and massage functions, alongside rear seat heating. A cabin upgrade package is currently available, encompassing nine luxury comfort features including front seat massage, rear seat heating, and a Bose® Sound System for a quiet cabin. This complimentary upgrade is offered for a limited time to customers selecting the [Pioneer Plus] or [Pioneer quattro] variants.
The Audi E5 Sportback's most significant advancement over traditional Audi models lies in its driver assistance systems. The vehicle incorporates an NVIDIA Orin-X chip, one LiDAR sensor, and employs Momenta's driver assistance solution. This system supports piloted driving assistance in both urban and motorway environments, enabling functions such as obstacle avoidance, traffic light recognition, and driver-initiated lane changes. Features such as lane-keeping assist, lane change assist, automated ramp exit/entry, and remote parking are standard across all variants.
Regarding powertrain options, the new model offers single-motor and dual-motor variants. The single-motor version delivers maximum power outputs of 220kW and 300kW, achieving 0-100km/h acceleration times of 6.1 seconds and 5 seconds respectively. The dual-motor variant produces maximum power outputs of 231kW and 379kW, achieving 0-100km/h acceleration times of 3.9 seconds and 3.4 seconds respectively. The CLTC pure electric range stands at 618km, 623km, 773km, and 647km respectively, catering to daily requirements.
Xiaomi SU7
As the inaugural model in Xiaomi's automotive lineup, the Xiaomi SU7 has enjoyed a double triumph in both order volume and traffic since its launch, maintaining an enviable level of popularity that underscores Xiaomi's robust consumer base and solid product capabilities. Having navigated its initial launch phase, the SU7 has now secured recognition among younger consumers.
Externally, the Xiaomi SU7 adopts a fully sports-oriented coupé design language. As a mid-to-large-sized vehicle, it measures 4997/1963/1440mm in length, width and height respectively, with a wheelbase of 3000mm. The headlight design has become an iconic signature for Xiaomi vehicles, featuring an internal light cavity structure resembling the Chinese character for ‘rice’ (米). The side profile lines fully evoke the aesthetic of a coupé. The rear incorporates the currently popular full-width light design, complemented by an electric spoiler capable of generating up to 130kg of downforce.
Inside, the SU7 features a 16.1-inch 3K resolution central touchscreen paired with a 7.1-inch digital instrument cluster. Both the system's operational fluidity and the infotainment system's intelligent capabilities rank among the market's top tier. The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive suite of ecosystem expansion ports. The versatile central display can be expanded on all four sides. The adaptable dashboard allows interchangeable modules for fragrance diffusers, intercom systems, or speakers. Physical buttons remain on the console, while the intelligent dual-dial cluster above the screen displays speed, mileage, and other information, enhancing driving enjoyment. The infotainment system runs on Xiaomi's Surge OS, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip and supporting CarPlay.
Seating adopts a sporty design consistent with the exterior styling, featuring faux leather upholstery as standard with optional genuine leather upgrades. Essential features are comprehensively provided: electrically adjustable seats with memory function, heating, and ventilation. Storage solutions include a highly practical 105-litre front boot, complemented by a rear luggage compartment offering 517 litres (rear-wheel drive) or 493 litres (all-wheel drive).
Powertrain specifications reveal the single-motor variant delivers 220kW maximum power, paired with either a 73.6kWh or 94.3kWh battery pack. This translates to CLTC ranges of 700km and 830km respectively. The dual-motor variant delivers a maximum power output of 495kW and peak torque of 838N·m, powered by a 101kWh battery pack. It achieves an 800km CLTC range with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 2.78 seconds. The vehicle also features a sporty engine sound, a BOOST mode with 20-second peak torque output, and launch control functionality.
NIO ET5T
Undoubtedly, the NIO ET5T stands out as the most distinctly “touring” model among the new generation of brands, boasting striking aesthetics and a commanding presence. Launched in May this year, the updated variant delivers enhancements across functionality, comfort and driving dynamics. Upgrades to details such as the seats have been iterated based on genuine user feedback and requirements.
The exterior refinements lend greater sophistication and sculpted precision to numerous details. The lower bumper's air intakes now adopt a square design, while the overall body lines appear more angular and assertive. The Double-dash daytime running lights atop the bonnet are thicker than the previous generation, while all variants now come standard with ADB intelligent multi-beam headlights. Dimensions remain unchanged at 4790/1960/1499mm (L/W/H), with a wheelbase of 2888mm. The rear bumper and lower side skirts have transitioned from matte black to gloss black finishes. Two new exterior colours—Distant Sky Purple and Moonlight Silver—have been introduced. The updated model offers nine exterior colours, five interior colour schemes, two exterior themes, and two brake caliper colours. The wheel design has also been revised, featuring new 20-inch five-spoke Wind Speed alloy wheels.
The most significant interior change sees the central display screen transition from the previous 12.8-inch vertical format to a more mainstream 15.6-inch horizontal orientation. This new layout presents a more harmonious appearance, aligning with contemporary aesthetic preferences. The infotainment system now incorporates the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 cockpit chip and Cedar OS, featuring a redesigned UI desktop with split-screen functionality. Operational logic, themes, navigation, and overall user experience have been enhanced, with customisable pull-down menus and dock bars for greater user-friendliness.
Regarding seating comfort, the seats now incorporate an 11-layer material construction. The cushion design has been upgraded to a two-stage configuration, with the front seat backrest lumbar support lowered by 30mm. Additional enhancements include a 20mm-thick high-resilience foam cushion and a 15mm extension to the rear seat cushion. In summary, the seats are softer and more comfortable. Furthermore, front seats now come standard with massage functionality – a welcome addition!
Powertrain-wise, the new NIO ET5T retains its dual-motor setup: front induction asynchronous and rear permanent magnet synchronous. Combined output stands at 490 horsepower with peak torque of 700 N·m. Battery options include 75kWh, 100kWh, and 150kWh packs, delivering respective ranges of 585km, 740km, and 1055km. while the ET5T achieves 550km, 710km, and 1010km respectively. The new intelligent driving assistance hardware further aligns with the flagship ET9 model. The chassis now incorporates a CDC dynamic suspension damping control system. Beyond standard and track modes, the vehicle introduces launch control, drift, and mountain driving modes, offering a notably comprehensive suite of preset driving programmes.
Zeekr 007 GT
The Zeekr 007 GT can broadly be regarded as the shooting brake variant of the Zeekr 007, with the rear end rendered more elegant following its conversion to shooting brake form. The front fascia adopts the brand's signature design language, instantly recognisable as a Zeekr vehicle. The Zeekr Stargate intelligent light curtain comprises 1,711 high-power LED bulbs spanning 90 inches, offering 16 levels of grey scale control and a 30fps refresh rate to display diverse light animations.
The vehicle measures 4864/1900/1460mm in length/width/height, with a 2925mm wheelbase. Wheel options include 19-inch and 20-inch alloys; opting for air suspension lowers the body height to 1445mm while improving approach and departure angles to 15.2°/20°, enhancing practicality for daily use. The side character line flows seamlessly across the body, meeting the C-pillar at the rear. The C-pillar's 21-degree angle is meticulously designed, further reinforcing the vehicle's shooting brake identity.
One needn't worry about the quality of materials in Zeekr's cabin. Extensive use of leather and soft-touch surfaces lends the interior a substantial, premium feel. Additionally, the cabin features a 13.02-inch curved digital instrument cluster and a 15.4-inch 2.5K OLED central touchscreen. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip and ZEEKR OS AI system, this platform integrates a large AI model capable of recognising over 150,000 generalised vehicle control commands while delivering more than 30 proactive intelligent services.
The Zeekr 007 GT's seating configuration demonstrates considerable thoughtfulness. All front seats come standard with heating, ventilation, massage functions, and a headrest speaker for the driver's seat, with memory functionality available across the range. The second-row seatbacks are adjustable and feature heating as standard. Additional features include an aromatherapy system, a 23-speaker ZEEKR Sound Pro audio system, and double-layered laminated acoustic glass across all four doors. Magnetic charging pads are positioned behind the front seats to enhance rear-seat entertainment. Power options comprise single-motor and dual-motor configurations: the single-motor rear-wheel-drive variant delivers 310kW maximum power, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive version produces a combined 475kW. Battery and range specifications include a 75kWh lithium iron phosphate battery offering 585km or 650km range, and a 100kWh ternary lithium battery delivering 825km range. Furthermore, the Zeekr 007 GT employs an 800V platform across the range, with higher trims featuring air suspension providing five levels of height adjustment.
Summary:
Though launched at different times, the four vehicles featured in this edition undoubtedly share one defining characteristic: striking aesthetics. For those adhering to the principle of ‘buying new over old’ and seeking a pure-electric model within a budget of approximately US$40,000, the newly launched Audi E5 Sportback comes highly recommended for consideration. The Xiaomi SU7 requires little introduction, having enjoyed robust sales and significant media attention since its debut. The only potential drawback is the rather high likelihood of encountering another SU7 on the road. Both the Zeekr 007 GT and NIO ET5T boast impressive interior materials and offer genuinely generous standard equipment. So, which of these four models would you choose?
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