Li Auto unveils first electric SUV i8

Li Auto, the young Chinese car manufacturer that first made headlines with the Li Mega electric minivan, has unveiled its second all-electric model and its first electric SUV: the Li i8. The manufacturer has compared its newcomer to the Tesla Model Y, hinting at a three-row interior.

Li Auto came into the spotlight with its futuristic-looking Li Mega electric minivan in 2023. Still, the company, founded in 2015, has range-extended electric vehicles (EREV) to thank for most of its success. These long-range plug-in hybrids, which are very popular in China, have pushed Li Auto’s sales to over half a million in 2024.

Three-row electric SUV

But the company has not abandoned fully electric models. After the Li Mega minivan, which boasts a roomy interior and flagship specs but only sold 10,798 units in 2024, Li Auto is aiming to capture a more lucrative market: that of electric SUVs with the Li i8.

The Li i8 forms a bridge between the Li Mega and the Li L9, the manufacturer’s largest hybrid SUV with up to six seats in three rows. This connection can be seen quite clearly in the design: the front of the i8 mimics the Mega’s minimalistic and futuristic shape, while the rear is more conventional and looks like a copy of the L9.

Rival to the Tesla Model X

Li Auto has even compared the i8 to the Tesla Model X, one of the first all-electric three-row SUVs, calling it a “good role model” on the Chinese social media platform Weibo. However, while the two models may compete in similar segments, the Li Auto i8 looks longer and much higher than the Model X, likely offering even more room on the inside.

Speaking of the inside, the Li Auto i8 looks to adopt the same digital display panel as the Li Mega, with two 15.3-inch monitors: one for the infotainment system and one for the passenger. The driver only gets a head-up display and a tiny screen on the steering wheel.

Other technology includes semi-autonomous driving, thanks to a Lidar system on the roof and a self-developed silicon carbide (SiC) power module for greater efficiency. More specifications and pricing for the Li Auto i8 are likely to follow soon.