A well-known online motoring personality has shared his thoughts on a Chinese rival to the Tesla Model Y, stating it offers an incredible amount of technology.
Mat Watson is a car reviewer who regularly creates videos for Carwow’s YouTube channel in which he takes a look at the latest models from around the world.
In a popular video, Mat takes a look at the HiPhi X, an all-electric luxury SUV from China, noting that it has a very modern and unique design.
He explained: “The rear end is quite interesting, there’s obviously a full-length light bar. And this is unusual, lots of little LEDs there, I imagine they can display various little patterns.
“It’s quite a sleek design for an MPV or SUV. Alloy wheels, I quite like the look of them, and they’re big, 22 inches! I also like the matte paint. I quite like the look of it to tell you the truth.”
Launched by the technology company Human Horizons, the HiPhi X has been sold in China since September 2020 with buyers able to choose between four trim levels.
Built in a factory that also produces a number of Kia models under licence, the EV has a maximum range of 341 miles and can accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds.
Perhaps the most unique feature of the HiPhi X is it’s split-opening rear gullwing doors, which can be opened by sensors, the owner’s phone or through facial recognition.
Getting inside the HiPhi X, Mat showed viewers the touchscreen positioned in front of the front passenger seat, which has a special display to prevent the driver from being distracted by it.
He continued: “There’s another screen here. I’ve only just noticed it because when you view it from an angle you can’t see it, I’ve got a privacy protection on it like on computer screens that your HR department has so you can’t see everyone’s salary.
“But, when you’re dead ahead, you can see there’s various functions and menus and stuff. I don’t really know how to operate it but I can’t see it from where I’m sitting as the driver, so it doesn’t distract me.”
Whilst the HiPhi X has good performance and range, Mat suggested that the ride quality and all-round visibility is not as good as on some of it’s competitors, such as the BMW iX or Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV.
He added: “So, I’ve got the suspension in Comfort Mode, and it feels nice and soft, quite relaxing. There is one thing I’ve noticed though. If you hit sharp bumps or bigger bumps, you get quite a bit of a jolt through the cabin. It doesn’t quite soak up bumps as sophisticatedly or as smoothly as a BMW iX.
“Forward visibility is good, door mirrors aren’t as big as you might think but large enough, but the view out of the back window is attrocious. And, while I can view like that [through the rear-view camera], you get a double image issue.”
