This is a clear understanding of dimensionality reduction, Buick E5 is the first

On October 20th, Buick, a brand under SAIC General Motors, announced the addition of a new Pioneer edition to the Buick E5 lineup, priced at 169,900 yuan, marking it as the entry-level model of the series. This vehicle is built on the Ultium platform, which has seen a substantial investment of 70 billion yuan by General Motors. As a mid-to-large-sized joint venture pure electric SUV with a wheelbase over 2.9 meters, a range of 545 kilometers, equipped with ternary lithium batteries, L2 level intelligent driving, and priced under 170,000 yuan, the Buick E5 is indeed a strong contender! It's hard to believe that just two years ago, a budget of slightly over 200,000 yuan would only get you a compact SUV.

Those who follow the automotive market must have noticed that pure electric vehicles are becoming increasingly affordable, a trend that is irreversible. With the full effort of major car manufacturers, consumers now have more and more options for pure electric vehicles. Traditional car companies, leveraging their scale advantages, have lowered the price threshold for pure electric models, which is also a reason why some new force brands are finding it more difficult to survive. Take the Buick E5 as an example; a model with dimensions close to a mid-to-large-sized SUV, yet its price has entered the price range of independent pure electric compact SUVs. Given the current market situation, the Buick E5 could even exert considerable pressure on models like the BYD Song PLUS EV and the ID.4 CROZZ.

If asked to choose between the Buick E5, the BYD Song PLUS EV, and the ID.4 CROZZ at the same price point, I would be more inclined towards the Buick E5. Why is that? Let's take a look at the new Pioneer edition of the Buick E5.

What changes come with the new Pioneer edition?

In terms of the starting price, the Pioneer edition is priced at 169,900 yuan. What are the differences compared to the other versions of the Buick E5 that were launched earlier? First, in terms of range, the Pioneer edition still offers a CLTC combined driving range of 545 kilometers; for charging, it still supports fast charging, capable of reaching 80% from 30% in just 28 minutes. In terms of maximum power and torque, there are no changes for the Pioneer edition, which remains at 180kW and 330Nm, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.6 seconds. From the aspects of range, charging speed, and acceleration, the Pioneer edition is not compromised and even outperforms the BYD Song PLUS EV's 505 kilometers and the ID.4 CROZZ standard version's 425 kilometers.

In terms of configuration, the Pioneer edition lacks certain features such as automatic folding/memo/automatic lowering when reversing for the exterior mirrors, panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, steering wheel heating, wireless phone charging, and electric adjustment/heating/memo for the front seats, all of which are comfort features. I believe that even with these omissions, it does not significantly detract from the overall package. As for safety features like front and rear head airbags, parking radar, reversing camera, adaptive cruise control, lane centering, lane departure warning, and blind spot warning, none of these have been omitted. Additionally, it comes standard with Buick's VCS intelligent cockpit. Judging by this, compared to the similarly priced Song PLUS pure electric model, the Buick E5 also has certain advantages in terms of active safety features.

The Buick E5 is full of sincerity in both comfort and safety. Furthermore, it has been learned that in September of this year, the Buick E5 sold 4,868 units, ranking first in the sales list of mid-to-large-sized pure electric SUVs in China. It is also the only joint venture brand new energy vehicle in the top 20 of that list, having accumulated sales of over 17,000 units since its launch. While sales figures are just data, they also indirectly reflect the reputation of the Buick E5.

How does the Buick E5 achieve a dimensional attack?

Thanks to the support of the Ultium platform, the Buick E5 has advantages over its competitors in terms of spaciousness, high configuration, excellent power, and high safety factor. Looking at the actual use, the Buick E5, ID.4 CROZZ, and BYD Song PLUS each have their own unique design aesthetics, catering to different tastes. The Buick E5 has more angular lines with a slightly tough feel. The ID.4 CROZZ is more rounded overall, but both essentially meet the needs of the mainstream crowd. The BYD Song PLUS EV has undergone significant changes in appearance compared to the old model, losing some of the sharpness of the dynasty model and gaining more of the gentleness and roundness of the marine network model.The Buick E5 has exterior dimensions of 4892/1905/1681mm, which are so large that they even surpass the ID.6 CROZZ, while the ID.4 CROZZ and BYD Song PLUS EV are only positioned as compact models. Furthermore, the Buick E5 boasts a wheelbase of 2954mm. With such spaciousness, a well-thought-out design layout is essential. The Buick E5 pays more attention to the details in storage and organization, and it also features a standard trunk volume of 502L. The trunk is designed with a lower-layered storage space, which can be expanded to 1658L when the rear seats are folded down. It goes without saying that the interior space is also abundantly advantageous, making it suitable for family use.

In terms of interior design, the Buick E5 comes standard with the all-new generation VCS intelligent cockpit across the entire series. The floating EYEMAX 30-inch integrated curved 6K screen and the exquisite electronic shift lever maximize the interior space while combining luxury and a sense of technology. The 121-color music rhythmic ambient lighting can sync with the music being played, and the car-grade flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip provides efficient information transmission and smooth operational experience.

The ID.4 CROZZ inherits the family lineage, with lights and sound effects that are clearly understood. Upon opening the door, the colorful ambient lighting, interactive breathing lights, and Harman Kardon premium surround sound system will provide passengers with a unique sensory experience. However, it is slightly regrettable that the 12-inch screen of the ID.4 CROZZ is smaller compared to the Buick E5, which makes it a bit less convenient in terms of operation.

In contrast, the BYD Song PLUS EV's interior design is closest to that of a fuel-powered vehicle, with a focus on a fully digital instrument cluster, a floating central control screen, and a three-spoke steering wheel. The interior is largely covered with imitation leather and plastic, and it retains the traditional gear lever that is rarely used in pure electric vehicles, with buttons arranged around it. This design style is straightforward, but it lacks the visual impact of the Buick E5. Additionally, it does not feature a branded audio system, which makes its audio-visual performance somewhat disappointing, and the single-color ambient lighting also makes the interior atmosphere somewhat thin. Considering the price, the comprehensive cost-performance ratio of the Buick E5 is indeed very high.

The Buick E5's electric motor has a maximum power of 180kW and a maximum torque of 330N·m. The CLTC range is 545km and 620km, respectively. The Avenir four-wheel-drive version has a front permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 143kW and a maximum torque of 305N·m, and a rear induction asynchronous motor with a maximum power of 68kW and a maximum torque of 160N·m, with a CLTC range of 603km.

The data of the Buick E5 is significantly higher than that of the standard version of the ID.4 CROZZ, and even better than the standard version of the ID.6 CROZZ. The CLTC pure electric range of 545 kilometers is considered above average, more than 100km higher than the standard version of the ID.4 CROZZ. Looking at the BYD Song Plus EV, it is equipped with the iconic blade battery, with a single motor version having a maximum power of 135kW and a maximum range of 505km, which can certainly support urban home and commuting needs. In terms of power, the three vehicles are not significantly different, but the Buick E5 has some advantages in terms of range. However, when considering the price, the cost-performance ratio of the Buick E5 is much higher.

In addition, people place great importance on the safety systems of pure electric vehicles! The Buick E5 comes from the "smarter, safer, more performance" Ultium platform, with over 25 years of experience and technology in electrification. The battery safety is several times higher than the national standard, making it not only cost-effective but also reassuring to use. General Motors' latest electrification platform is the first in the industry to adopt a wireless battery management system, combined with General Motors' new generation of intelligent electronic architecture. Compared with Japanese new energy products, it has more advanced technology, and compared with German new energy products, it has a more efficient wireless battery management system and higher transmission bandwidth, thus supporting more refined system management and function iteration upgrades. The Buick E5 uses a proprietary customized battery cell formula with high thermal stability, low decay, and long life, combined with seven levels of battery protection and safety standards several times higher than the national standard, bringing users a "double" peace of mind for new energy travel experience. At the same time, the wirelessly connected battery management system, combined with the "car-cloud" battery health intelligent monitoring system, provides more intelligent, more accurate battery management and safer battery health protection. In terms of performance, the vehicle is equipped with a fully self-developed high-integrated modular electric drive system, using flat wire technology, self-adhesive core, full oil cooling, intelligent oil temperature management and other advanced technologies, bringing low power consumption and high reliability. Compared with the Buick ELECTRA E5, which has a more comprehensive protection system, the advantages are more obvious, reflecting the emphasis on protection and people-oriented approach in the safety aspect of the Buick E5.

In summary, the Buick E5 is a well-balanced vehicle in terms of configuration, safety, space, and power, showing generosity in many aspects, and compared with the ID.4 CROZZ and BYD Song PLUS EV in the same price range, it is almost without shortcomings. It not only has the advantages of the fuel-powered era but also is seriously cultivating pure electric vehicle technology, aiming to solve the pain points of consumers' vehicle use. The Buick E5 can be said to be a large-sized pure electric SUV designed to meet the needs of mainstream users.