Geely, the Chinese auto giant that also owns Volvo, has just unveiled a new RV that really doesn’t look like it’s anywhere near the budget end of the market.
The company has just started pre-sales for the Galaxy Starshine 7 in China. The price starts at 112,900 yuan, or about $16,550. For that money, buyers get a midsize electric sedan with a sleek fastback silhouette, full-width lighting, an intricately designed cabin and even optional dual-motor all-wheel drive that accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
Why it looks too fancy for its price
Cheap electric vehicles are usually easy to spot because they cut corners in obvious places. But the Starshine 7 doesn’t exactly scream entry-level model. The official images show a sedan with a clean nose design, sharp lighting signatures, flush door handles, a panoramic roof and a cabin dominated by a large central screen and a bright, lounge-like color scheme for the interiors.
The model is 4,930 mm long and has a wheelbase of 2,915 mm. In the photos, it sits somewhere between a mainstream electric sedan and something that tries hard to look premium. And at first glance it mostly works.
But do the specifications keep up?
Geely’s Starshine 7 is offered in rear- and all-wheel drive. The RWD version uses a 190kW motor, while the AWD model adds a 150kW front motor for a combined output of 340kW. The company also offers two battery options, one 58.4 kWh and one 73.6 kWh, with a CLTC range of up to 610 km depending on the variant.
Inside, the car features a 15.4-inch floating center display that also showcases a premium interior. The images also show wood-like trim, layered materials and a generally softer look not often associated with a budget electric vehicle.
This model joins the recently announced $15,000 range-extended electric vehicle called the Boyue EREV SUV. So the Galaxy Starshine 7 is another reminder of how aggressive the Chinese electric vehicle market has become. It’s trying to make affordability seem desirable, which is a whole different trick and one that Western automakers still seem to be struggling with. As always, there’s no word on a US or European release.
