Chery Tests Xingjiyuan ET in Extreme Cold: 24-Hour Ice Freeze and Battery Performance

Chery is often described as, and describes itself as, a brand of engineers. So what would a family-oriented pure electric vehicle look like if designed by such an engineering-driven brand?

The answer may lie in the Xingjiyuan ET.

The Xingjiyuan ET first debuted at the Shanghaichezhan last year. Its first batch of complete vehicles rolled off the production line on January 19 this year, with pre-sales expected to launch in the first quarter.

After nearly a year of rigorous preparation, it is finally time to test whether the Xingjiyuan ET has truly sharpened its edge through real-world performance.

01The Xingjiyuan ET Endures Double the 'Torture'

Pure electric vehicles have significantly transformed our driving experience, yet they still suffer from several inherent flaws that need addressing.

One major issue is their fragility — EVs can catch fire if damaged, lose control in extreme heat, or struggle to move and travel short distances in severe cold. This has led many users to jokingly refer to them as 'electric masters.'

In winter's low temperatures, the electrolyte in batteries becomes more viscous and the activity of positive and negative electrode materials decreases, severely impacting charging and discharging capabilities. Consequently, cold weather throttling both range and charging speed remains the number one challenge for pure electric vehicles.

Low temperatures also threaten the stability of various vehicle components. Recently, many users in Northeast China have complained on social media that their door handles froze and would not pop out.

To ensure winter performance does not hinder the user experience of the Xingjiyuan ET, Chery has applied numerous proprietary technologies to the model, while the Xingjiyuan ET has undergone extensive testing under Chery's rigorous standards.

Battling Minus 30 Degrees Celsius

Achieving better range and charging performance in winter essentially requires precise control over energy input and output: enhancing battery activity to maintain charging and discharging capability, while minimizing losses to utilize charged energy as efficiently as possible.

For its battery solution, the Xingjiyuan ET selected CATL's Shenxingchaochongdianchi.

The Shenxingchaochongdianchi is fundamentally a type of lithium iron phosphate battery. According to CATL's official specifications, it features innovative material and cell designs specifically engineered for extreme cold, enabling a 400 km range replenishment from just 10 minutes of charging.

In terms of electronic control, the Xingjiyuan ET employs an 800 V high-voltage architecture paired with a silicon carbide (SiC) motor controller to reduce thermal losses and improve energy efficiency. It also features a dual-heat-source heat pump air conditioning system designed to further conserve energy.

According to official data, during range testing in Yakeshi at temperatures as low as minus 30°C, the Xingjiyuan ET achieved a real-world range of 435.9 km before running out of power. With a driver on board and the air conditioning set to 23°C, this result represents a range achievement rate of 63.3% against its displayed standard-cycle range of 689 km.

Notably, according to official tests, the Xingjiyuan ET charged from 30% to 80% in just 22 minutes, with little difference from summer charging times, at a temperature of minus 25°C.

Cold and Heat Alternation

The stability of vehicle components under extreme cold conditions serves as a test of manufacturing quality. However, for Chery, which has 26 years of automotive manufacturing experience, maintaining high build quality is considered a basic requirement.

In the same outdoor environment in Yakeshi at minus 30 degrees Celsius, Chery sprayed water all over the body surface of the Xingjiyuan ET and froze it for 24 hours. After 24 hours, Chery then placed the Xingjiyuan ET in a warm room to thaw.

We know that changes in temperature can alter certain material properties. When materials are subjected to alternating extreme cold and heat, they endure stress from thermal expansion and contraction. Therefore, under extremely cold conditions, automotive glass, exterior body panels, rubber connectors, plastic components, and assemblies typically face significant threats.

Despite these challenges, the Xingjiyuan ET withstood the rigors of temperature fluctuations. It suffered no cabin water ingress or component failures, remaining fully operational.

According to official information, Chery conducts 100,000 cycles of thermal cycling durability tests even on door handles to ensure vehicle reliability across different environments.

Battery Defense

The majority of an electric vehicle’s vulnerabilities stem from its battery.

To withstand ground impacts, the Xingjiyuan ET features a 1,300 MPa hot-formed steel bottom plate. Silicone foam is installed between the battery pack’s upper cover and casing, as well as between the underbody guard and casing, effectively insulating the battery against cold like a padded jacket.

Meanwhile, to reduce the risk of thermal runaway, the Xingjiyuan ET employs a Battery Management System (BMS) for real-time monitoring of battery status. Aerogel thermal insulation pads are placed between cells, while mica sheets, ceramic composite tapes, and PC insulating films are installed on top of the cells for additional protection.

Just like the vehicle itself, the Xingjiyuan ET’s battery pack underwent rigorous testing by Chery, including immersion in an ice-water mixture for one hour and exposure to fire for 130 seconds. Thanks to comprehensive digital systems and physical protective materials, the battery pack passed all these tests.

This means the Xingjiyuan ET has sufficient capability to handle most driving environments, allowing users to put aside concerns about wading through rainwater, underbody scraping on unpaved roads, or spontaneous combustion upon collision.

It is important to emphasize that the aforementioned tests—freezing, fire exposure, and immersion—far exceed national standards. While meeting national standards and ensuring driving safety are non-negotiable responsibilities for every automaker, building safety that surpasses these standards presents a particularly pressing issue for Chery.

After all, as a company favored by overseas users, Chery must not only meet domestic demands but also cater to international needs. According to official data, Chery’s export volume reached 937,100 units in 2023, accounting for half of its total annual sales.

Based on Chery’s current primary markets both domestically and abroad, the Xingjiyuan ET could appear not only in the snow-covered Northeast but also in the scorching deserts of the Middle East and the rugged, primitive forests of South America after its launch.

For insights into the Xingjiyuan ET’s general performance post-delivery, readers are encouraged to stay tuned for our related reviews.

02"Sofas, TVs, and Small Coffee Tables"

The Xingjiyuan ET continues Chery’s traditional hardcore manufacturing ethos characterized by an engineering-focused mindset. However, if one wishes to observe Chery’s less rigid side in the new energy era, the Xingjiyuan ET serves as an ideal reference point.

Have you ever encountered a scenario like this: driving on a long, congested highway, with friends or family in the passenger seat reclining their seats to lie down, watching movies or TV series on the central control screen, while a charging phone rests on the wireless charger in the center console and drinks, snacks, and fruits are placed awkwardly beside the stomach, on the center console, or on the dashboard, making them difficult to reach.

The same scenario at home would be entirely different. We often prefer lounging on the sofa, placing our phones nearby for charging, and keeping drinks, snacks, and fruits within easy reach on a small coffee table, allowing us to grab whatever we want with a simple hand movement.

So, can a similar, more comfortable home-like scene be realized inside a car? The Xingjiyuan ET comes remarkably close.

To comfortably lounge in a car, the vehicle itself must first be spacious enough.

With overall dimensions of 4,955 mm in length, 1,975 mm in width, and 1,698 mm in height, and a wheelbase of 3,000 mm, the Xingjiyuan ET is a definitive mid-to-large SUV, offering more space than some competitors in its class or even higher segments, such as the Model Y and XPENG G9. In terms of interior volume, the Xingjiyuan ES cabin offers 3.45 m³ of space, surpassing that of the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.

With ample space as a foundation, features like 'sofas, TVs, and small coffee tables' can be incorporated.

The 'sofa' refers to the Xingjiyuan ET's front seats, which exude a sofa-like comfort and come equipped with ventilation, heating, and massage functions. The passenger seat specifically adopts a zero-gravity configuration, providing an even more relaxing experience for passengers lying back. The 'TV' is the 15.6-inch 2.5K central control screen, catering to users' needs for watching movies and binge-watching shows. The 'small coffee table' is the movable center console, which allows passengers to easily access items such as a charging phone or beverages in the cup holders, even while reclining during travel.

In addition, the movable center console can serve other functions, such as acting as a coffee table for rear-seat passengers; allowing occupants to exit via the front passenger door when the driver’s side door is obstructed; and freeing up space so users no longer need to walk to the trunk to store larger items.

With features like a sofa, large screen, and small coffee table already included, the Xingjiyuan ET offers additional ambiance-oriented amenities. These include a center console with dual storage compartments crafted from natural solid wood, and extensive ambient lighting on the door panels and center console, all contributing to a relaxed and pleasant family atmosphere within the cabin.

The Xingjiyuan ET also performs well in other areas.

First, in terms of intelligent features, the Xingjiyuan ET cabin is equipped with the Gaotongxiaolong 8155 chip and the Lion AI large model, providing users with a more convenient and intelligent interaction experience. For example, the aforementioned movable center console can be controlled via voice commands.

Furthermore, the Xingjiyuan ET is equipped with a LiDAR sensor, 30 autonomous driving sensors, and two NVIDIA Orin-X chips, laying the hardware foundation for urban NOA, highway NOA, and parking functions. According to official information, the Xingjiyuan ET is expected to support highway NOA by February this year, and will enable urban NOA in select cities during the second quarter of this year.

Next, let’s look at the driving dynamics. Chery has not yet disclosed detailed driving parameters for the Xingjiyuan ET. However, data from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology shows that the four-wheel-drive version features a front motor output power of 123 kW and a rear motor output power of 230 kW. This power level is sufficient for daily use, and it is believed that the single-motor version will also deliver impressive performance.

Notably, in terms of suspension configuration, the Xingjiyuan ES is the only model in the RMB 200,000–300,000 segment with air suspension standard across all trims. It remains to be seen whether the Xingjiyuan ET will follow this configuration strategy.

03Conclusion

After discussing so much, how will the pricing for the Xingjiyuan ET ultimately be determined?

Based on the pricing of the Xingjiyuan ES, it is reasonable to infer that the Xingjiyuan ET will likely fall within the RMB 200,000–350,000 range. If priced in this bracket, the Xingjiyuan ET would remain highly competitive against other family SUVs at similar price points.

However, the family SUV segment priced between RMB 200,000 and 350,000 is already extremely crowded. Known new entrants include the Li L6 and the first model from NIO’s Alps brand, while the number of unknown competitors remains uncertain. Consequently, the Xingjiyuan ET faces significant competitive pressure.

Fortunately, as the market transitions between new energy vehicles (NEVs) and internal combustion engine vehicles, the overall NEV family SUV market continues to grow. Despite considerable competitive pressure, the Xingjiyuan ET still has ample opportunities to capitalize. Moreover, Chery boasts a substantial domestic user base and holds a broad presence in overseas markets.

At Chery’s Fengyun Night event last November, Chery declared, “Chery Group’s NEV business will fully accelerate in 2024; we won’t hold back.” As Chery’s first high-end NEV SUV to officially roll off the production line this year, the Xingjiyuan ET clearly serves as a vanguard in this “unapologetic campaign.”

From the perspective of product capabilities and positioning, as a vanguard, the Xingjiyuan ET must not only maintain the high-end tone of the Xingjiyuan sequence following the Xingjiyuan ES but also shoulder heavier sales responsibilities compared to its sibling.

In the current climate of intense price wars, Chery must accelerate its transformation to gain visibility and establish a foothold in the new energy vehicle (NEV) sector. Sales volume remains its sharpest weapon.

At the recent Xingjiyuan ET production launch ceremony, Yin Tongyue, Chairman of Chery Group, stated his ambition for the Xingjiyuan ET to become a "disruptor" in the premium pure-electric SUV market.

Whether the Xingjiyuan ET can truly act as a disruptor remains to be seen. However, it is evident that Chery has fully mobilized group resources, striving to bridge the conceptual gap between internal combustion engine vehicles and NEVs. Through continuous self-iteration, the company is now capable of incorporating more nuanced, human-centric design touches into its products—moving away from a purely engineering-driven mindset. Chery is attempting to achieve a disruptive breakthrough in the NEV market through the Xingjiyuan ET.

In short, Chery harbors ambitions to turn the Xingjiyuan ET into a major hit.

It is reported that the Xingjiyuan ET will not only launch pre-sales in the first quarter of this year but will also introduce an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) version simultaneously. Facing the harsh and chaotic survival environment of the current NEV market, the Xingjiyuan ET arrives well-prepared, with Chery tightening its grip on its competitive strategy.

Written by: Isaiah Edited by: 308