Buick’s New $23K Plug-In SUV Pulls 10,000 Orders In 90 Minutes, None From America

  • Buick has introduced the new Electra E7 SUV in China.
  • It sports a sleek design, upscale interior, and high-end ADAS.
  • The PHEV powertrain offers a combined range of 1,013 miles.

Update: General Motors has now released full specifications and pricing for the Buick Electra E7 in China. We’ve added those details below.

After a brief official preview just weeks ago, Buick has now launched the Electra E7 in China. The midsize SUV pairs a long-range plug-in hybrid powertrain with pricing that would seem almost implausibly low to US buyers.

Looking sleek but generic, the E7 features a shark nose front end with split lighting units. C-shaped daytime running lights reside up top, while L-shape headlights are mounted further below. We can also see a central intake with what appears to be an active shutter grille.

More: Buick’s New Electra E7 Looks More Toyota Than GM

Moving further back, there’s soft curves and plastic body cladding. The model also has streamlined door handles, pronounced wheel arches, and metallic accents. They’re joined by “galaxy wing” taillights and a prominent rear spoiler.

In terms of size, the model measures 190.9 inches (4,850 mm) long and has a wheelbase that spans 112.2 inches (2,850 mm). As we’ve previously noted, this means the E7 is 8.2 inches (208 mm) longer than the Envision, but 16.7 inches (424 mm) shorter than the Enclave.

An Elegant, But Minimalist Interior

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Driver sit behind a flat-bottom steering wheel and find themselves looking at a freestanding digital instrument cluster. It’s accompanied by a 15.6-inch infotainment system, which sits on the dash like a giant tablet.

Also: GM Moves Buick SUV’s Production From China To The U.S. After Tariffs Bite

The interior is minimalist, but we can see high quality materials including Oeko tex upholstery and what appear to be genuine metal accents. It also looks like the crossover has illuminated trim and a dual wireless smartphone charger.

The second-row is the place to be as it has a refrigerator and a 15.6-inch entertainment system that’s mounted into the ceiling. The front seats also fold flat to transform the backseat into a massive lounge, where occupants can lay down and relax.

Other highlights include dual glass roofs, second-row climate controls, and a reclining second-row backrest. The model also has heated and ventilated seats, rear tray tables, and a 20-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system.

Plug-In Hybrid Power

The Electra E7 uses a plug-in hybrid system offered in two outputs. The entry-level version pairs a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine producing 97 hp (72 kW / 98 PS) with a single electric motor rated at 221 hp (165 kW / 224 PS). The flagship variant swaps in a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine with 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS), while keeping the same electric motor.

More: Buick’s New Concepts Look Suspiciously Ready For Production

Buick quotes a combined output of 375 hp (280 kW / 381 PS) for the flagship PHEV. That is enough for a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) run in 7 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).

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Range figures carry more weight here. Both versions offer a combined CLTC range of up to 1,013 miles (1,630 km), including an EV-only range of 146 miles (235 km) supported by a 32.6 kWh LFP battery pack.

Beyond the powertrain, the E7 comes with adaptive damping suspension that adjusts 200 times per second. It also features the Xiao Yao Zhi Xing autonomous driving system, which operates on highways and city streets using 27 sensors and the Momenta R6 reinforcement learning model.

Priced To Sell

The Electra E7 is offered in three trims: Full Package, Ultra Package, and Ultra Package Turbo. Pricing in China starts at ¥159,900 ($23,400) and rises to ¥199,900 ($29,300) for the range-topping turbo model. Buick is also offering a limited-time trade-in subsidy that lowers the effective starting price to ¥154,900 ($22,700). According to GM, demand was immediate, with more than 10,000 orders placed within the first 90 minutes of launch.

This puts the Chinese-market SUV below the price of the cheapest Buick in America, the Envista, which starts at $24,700. Even the flagship Electra E7 undercuts the range-topping Envista Avenir, which starts at $31,295.

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The Auto World

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