What vehicles were considered before purchasing the Youxing 009?
I work in the catering business and run six or seven stores in our city. My primary job is to drive and inspect each store daily. In the evenings and weekends, I need to attend to some business receptions, hosting friends and suppliers.
When deciding to buy another car, I only considered large SUVs or MPVs, as I needed a six or seven-seat vehicle for business receptions.
My previous car was a BMW X5, but it was too small and cramped for five people, let alone with a designated driver after drinking. It wasn’t suitable for business use, so I decided to switch to a larger, more business-oriented vehicle. Before changing cars, I also looked at other models. The first one I test drove was the Ideal L9, which was heavily advertised online. However, after using it for less than a month, I sold it, mainly because it required both gasoline and electricity, which was inconvenient.
Essentially, the Ideal L9 still needs gasoline, so its operating cost is relatively high. Its pure electric range couldn’t meet my daily needs, especially when not being able to charge it at home every day. Sometimes it would be parked at the company, which didn’t have charging stations, and half of the next day’s usage would be on gasoline. Moreover, I discovered the noise from the L9’s range extender was louder than expected, particularly during highway driving. Lastly, the L9’s wind noise control at high speeds was subpar, so I decided to sell it.
After selling the Ideal L9, did you consider any other models?
I was also interested in the NIO ES8, but at that time, there were no new ES8 models on display, only the older versions. After examining the available vehicles, I identified two issues. Firstly, its actual range was reportedly exaggerated. Secondly, its cabin was rather small, with the third row of seats offering even less space than the L9. Additionally, I felt it lacked value for money; calculating the cost, it was even more expensive than the Youxing 009.
In the MPV market, there are various options for business reception, such as Alphard and Vellfire, but they are beyond my budget. Additionally, I feel that the configurations of the Alphard and Vellfire do not justify their prices. Most require third-party modifications to achieve a more luxurious look. I hesitate to modify, fearing potential aftersale issues. I genuinely fancied the Mercedes-Benz Vito, but it was too large for me to drive alone, lacking family-oriented traits. Parking is a concern in my home garage, so I eventually ruled it out.
I also paid attention to the other two domestic new-energy MPV brands. With regards to the Tengshi D9, I find its interior styling rather outdated and the craftsmanship mediocre. The small fridge inside appears remarkably cheap due to the plastic material.
Another model I considered is the Lantu Dreamer. However, I find the exterior less attractive than the Jikra 009. Moreover, I feel uncertain about the Lantu brand as their previous Lantu Free’s sales performance was mediocre.
How did I come to know the Jikra brand?
Mainly through a Jikra 001 owner in my circle, who introduced me to the brand. I also test drove his Jikra 001, impressed by its cost-efficiency and chassis quality within its price range.
As an experienced 40-something driver, I am particular about a car’s chassis quality. I’ve test driven other brands and found their chassis to be underwhelming. Among new energy vehicles, Jikra might have one of the better chassis.
Top three satisfactory aspects of the Jikra 009?
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First, I think the craftsmanship is excellent. After watching its launch event, I feel reassured by its comprehensive safety measures. Having seen online accounts of Alphard-like MPVs struggling with door functionality after accidents, I am naturally concerned about safety issues.- Secondly, although it’s an MPV, I think its cockpit design is decent, without a strong driver’s feel. This vehicle might be used for daily outings on weekends with my spouse and children.
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Thirdly, I find the second-row aviation seats to be more comfortable in all aspects compared to L9’s second-row seats, as well as its sleep mode. The leg cushion on L9’s second row isn’t that comfortable.
Are there any points about the Jike 009 that you’re dissatisfied with?
Currently, there doesn’t seem to be any significant dissatisfaction. If I had to pick one, it would be its infotainment system. It’s not as feature-rich as the L9, and it’s a bit laggy in comparison. However, compared to the 001, I think the 009’s system is more user-friendly, as I don’t drive the car much, and most of the time it’s operated by a chauffeur. I might need to drive it more and get a better feel for it myself.
Do you have any range anxiety?
I don’t, because I mainly drive around our city or within our province. I think the range on this vehicle is quite solid.
If I drive it home, I use home charging. If the chauffeur takes it home, I have him find a charging station nearby to charge fully. Charging is more convenient than I initially thought, as the battery only takes a little over an hour to charge, providing 500 kilometers of range.
Does the driving feel of the 009 meet your expectations?
I previously drove the L9, which is indeed comfortable, but its handling felt like a boat, especially during sharp turns. The car’s instability became obvious, as it was tuned too soft and comfortable, posing a safety risk.
The Jike 009, on the other hand, has a more stable overall handling. Driving a large vehicle carries the risk of rollover, but the 009’s handling is only slightly inferior to the X5 and better than the L9.
The X5 doesn’t have as long of a wheelbase, making it more agile, and BMW’s tuning is indeed impressive. The 009 is quite long, but I think it’s acceptable. Parking the Giga Krypton 009 hasn’t caused any significant issues; although the car is large, it is relatively easy to park.
What kind of people would be Giga Krypton 009 owners?
I believe the main target audience are those focused on business, slightly different from Ideal L9 owners. The 009 leans more towards business use, making it a bit extravagant as a family SUV. Its exterior and interior designs are more suitable for business but can also accommodate a family.
I would put it this way: it balances family and business needs well, and sometimes we even use it for team-building activities at our company, where the car’s space and storage capacity prove to be quite practical.
The reason for ultimately choosing the 009
I placed an order for the Giga Krypton 009 as soon as I could, and I locked in my decision without hesitation after the test drive. The most impressive aspect after test driving was the exceptional comfort of the second row. Sometimes, after a long day of work, sitting in the second row for a little break feels truly relaxing. Another point is that the 009’s front looks quite commanding on the road, and when I have to pick up suppliers or local officials, they are quite pleased with the car, which has a certain status to it.
Even though Ideal plans to release its first pure electric MPV model in the second half of the year, I would still choose the Giga Krypton 009. Ideal’s cars are definitely more family-oriented, and although their product strength is considerable, I would be more willing to support Giga Krypton if they can improve their infotainment system and services.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.