Top 6 electric cars showcased at Chengdu Motor Show 2025

Explore the top 6 electric vehicles from Chengdu Motor Show 2025, including Mercedes CLA Electric, Xiaomi YU7 and more, shaping the future EV trends.

Chengdu Motor Show 2025 was a vivid demonstration of how quickly China’s automotive landscape is transforming. This year the event gathered more than 120 brands and over 1,600 cars across 220,000 square meters. The spotlight once again fell on the NEV sector: the area dedicated to new energy vehicles grew by nearly 40% year on year. Within this space the key market trends emerged, and six standout models highlighted the direction of the future.

Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric made its debut as the fully electric version of the popular sedan. For the Chinese market the CLA L was shown with a two-speed transmission, 800-volt architecture, and a driving range of up to 866 km (CLTC). In Europe, the model targets about 792 km WLTP, positioning itself among the longest-range EVs in its class. For Mercedes, this is more than just an expansion of the lineup — it signals the brand’s readiness to bring premium fast-charging technology to the broader market.

Exeed Exlantix ET5 (E05) was another hot topic in Chengdu. The new range-extended SUV comes with a 32.66 kWh LFP battery, giving 165–205 km of pure electric range depending on the test cycle. A 195 kW motor provides propulsion, supported by a 1.5-liter gasoline generator. In a country where charging infrastructure is still developing, the EREV approach looks like a pragmatic compromise. Exeed also emphasized advanced driver-assistance: the ET5 debuts Horizon’s Journey 6P chip with the HSD system, paired with optional lidar and up to 12 radars.

Changan Qiyuan E07 raised the bar for Chinese premium SUVs. The BEV version uses a 90 kWh NMC battery and delivers 440 kW of power, accelerating to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. Driving range reaches 651 km (CLTC), while DC fast charging from 30 to 80% takes only 12 minutes. At its core lies NVIDIA’s DRIVE Orin-X platform, powering Changan’s Smart Driver suite. The message is clear: Chinese brands are now competing not only with price but also with advanced computing power.

If Changan’s focus is intelligence, Xiaomi brought pure spectacle. The SU7 Ultra Nürburgring Limited Edition appeared on stage with only 100 units priced at 814,900 yuan. Its triple-motor setup produces over 1,500 hp, blasting from 0 to 100 km/h in just 1.98 seconds and reaching a top speed of 350 km/h. The car is equipped with CATL’s Qilin II performance battery, charging to 80% in just 11 minutes. It is less a daily driver than a showcase of what Xiaomi’s EV engineering can achieve.

The brand’s real trump card, however, is the first SUV — Xiaomi YU7. Unveiled in June and shown again in Chengdu, it immediately set a record with more than 200,000 orders in the first minutes of sales. Offered in Standard, Pro, and Max trims, all versions ride on the 800-volt Modena platform. The Standard reaches up to 835 km CLTC range, while the Max variant sprints to 100 km/h in just 3.23 seconds. Inside, HyperOS integrates with Xiaomi’s wider ecosystem, while HAD with roof-mounted lidar ensures advanced ADAS capability. The YU7 marks Xiaomi’s decisive step into the mass SUV market, and early signs point to a remarkable success.

BYD Seal 07 DM-i in its 2026 model year form appeared with updated styling and a roof-mounted lidar. This plug-in hybrid combines a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a 200 kW electric motor. The system delivers a total range of up to 840 km, and its Blade battery recharges from 30 to 80% in 34 minutes. The Seal 07 DM-i underlines BYD’s pragmatic formula: technology, accessibility, and mass-market appeal all in one package.

Together these six models reveal different visions of the future. Mercedes emphasizes range and premium features; Exeed and BYD balance electric driving with hybrid flexibility; Changan relies on computing power; Xiaomi splits its bets between a performance halo car and a mainstream SUV. Chengdu Motor Show 2025 confirmed that China’s EV market is no longer following global trends — it is defining them, setting tomorrow’s standards today.