Is the Yangwang U8 the First True Chinese Luxury Car? Full Review

China has already proven its strength in producing value-for-money vehicles that feel more premium than their price suggests. However, stepping into the realm of true luxury—territory dominated by brands like Range Rover and Bentley—is a far greater challenge. That’s where the Yangwang U8 enters the conversation. This SUV represents a bold statement, positioning itself as a showcase of what China’s automotive industry can achieve at the highest level.

The U8 is overflowing with technology, wrapped in high-quality leather, and loaded with features designed to enhance comfort, convenience, and even cabin ambience. Beyond its plush interior, it also promises abilities that are genuinely surprising, paired with extreme performance figures. But with a price tag exceeding £130,000 once imported, the question remains: is this too expensive for a Chinese luxury SUV, or does it justify its ambitions?

Extreme Performance Backed by Unusual Engineering

The Yangwang U8 delivers staggering numbers: 1,200 horsepower and 1,280 Nm of torque. What makes this output remarkable is how it’s achieved. Under the hood sits a modest 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine—but it doesn’t directly power the wheels.

Instead, the petrol engine acts solely as a generator. The actual propulsion comes from a 50 kWh battery pack feeding four electric motors, one at each wheel. This setup ensures consistent performance, even when the main battery is depleted, as the engine continuously generates electricity. The result is relentless power delivery at all times.

The trade-off is weight. All this hardware pushes the U8 to over 3.1 tonnes. Despite this, its power-to-weight ratio stands out dramatically. Compared to rivals, the numbers tell a compelling story:

• Range Rover SV: ~220 hp per tonne
• Bentley Bentayga Speed: ~264 hp per tonne
• Tesla Cyberbeast: ~275 hp per tonne
• Yangwang U8: ~346 hp per tonne

In real-world testing, this translates to a standing quarter-mile time of 12.4 seconds—slightly quicker than a BMW X7 M60i, despite the BMW being significantly lighter.

However, once fully loaded with passengers, the U8 can easily exceed 3.5 tonnes. In markets like the UK, that weight introduces licensing complications for some drivers, making it a practical concern rather than just a technical detail.

Familiar Design With Heavy Influences

Visually, the U8 leans heavily on established luxury SUV design language. Much of its profile, roofline, body panels, and even mirror shapes echo the Land Rover Defender. While additional design elements and surface details attempt to differentiate it, the resemblance is difficult to ignore. The overall design feels busier and less clean than its British inspiration.

At the rear, the styling becomes more restrained. An octagonal spare wheel housing and dramatic LED lighting help disguise the influence, creating a look that feels more individual.

The front end, however, takes a completely different direction. It abandons Defender cues entirely, featuring bold lighting signatures reminiscent of the Nissan Juke and the Citroën DS. While not entirely original, it gives the U8 a commanding and distinctive presence.

A Cabin That Feels Genuinely Premium

Inside, the Yangwang U8 delivers an experience that aligns closely with its price bracket. The dashboard design draws inspiration from Bentley and Mercedes, but execution matters more than influence—and here, the quality impresses.

Soft, high-grade leather covers nearly every surface. Switchgear feels solid and expensive, from the steering wheel buttons to the rotary drive-mode dials. Paddle shifters, toggles, and controls all offer a reassuring weight and finish.

Double-pane soundproof glass keeps the cabin quiet, reinforcing the luxury focus. Alcantara lines the roof and charging pads, while a built-in refrigerator, extensive storage, and a fragrance system that releases different scents based on selected moods elevate the sense of indulgence.

Technology dominates the cabin. A large digital instrument cluster, central infotainment screen, and passenger display provide extensive customisation. Touch-sensitive panels control lighting, hybrid settings, and the head-up display. While most climate functions are screen-based, the interface is responsive and intuitive.

Luxury extends fully into the rear cabin. Materials and craftsmanship match the front, with no compromises. Legroom is generous, and power-adjustable rear seats allow for reclining, extending seat bases, deploying headrests, and activating massage functions.

Multiple screens cater to rear passengers, including displays for entertainment, climate control, and a central command screen hidden beneath an armrest. This panel allows control over seating, ventilation, audio, windows, sunroof, and sunshades.

One of the most striking features is the panoramic glass roof embedded with LED lighting elements. These create a starlight effect with adjustable colors, adding a dramatic visual flourish, particularly at night.

Practicality Meets Playful Technology

The U8’s boot is large and square, rivalling vehicles like the G-Wagon. Air suspension allows the vehicle to lower itself for easier loading, while rear seats fold flat at the touch of a button, creating a completely level load floor.

Beyond practicality, the SUV includes playful features such as an integrated karaoke system with a microphone—an unmistakably Chinese touch.

Soft-close doors, automatic suspension adjustments based on load, and intelligent seat-folding mechanisms underline how deeply technology is integrated into everyday functions.

Luxury-Focused Driving Experience

On the road, the U8 prioritizes comfort. Cabin insulation keeps external noise at bay, and air suspension absorbs large bumps with ease. While it doesn’t quite match the floating softness of a Rolls-Royce or the refinement of a Bentley, it performs impressively for its size and weight.

Throttle response is progressive in comfort mode, keeping the massive power output approachable. In sport mode, acceleration becomes forceful, with noticeable weight transfer and sheer momentum pushing the SUV forward with authority.

Steering feedback feels slightly disconnected, a trait common in many Chinese vehicles, but it remains predictable and easy to manage.

Off-Road Tricks and Advanced Assistance

The Yangwang U8 includes one of its most unusual capabilities: flotation. In emergency situations, it can float for up to 30 minutes and propel itself through water at around 2 mph using its wheels as paddles. While not intended for regular use, it highlights the vehicle’s extreme engineering ambitions.

Advanced driver assistance features include surround-view cameras and automated parking. While the system can appear glitchy at times, it is capable of slotting the large SUV into remarkably tight spaces with impressive accuracy.

Verdict: A Luxury SUV That Challenges Expectations

On paper—and largely in reality—the Yangwang U8 delivers everything expected of a high-end luxury SUV. It offers more technology than many established rivals, vastly more power, strong road presence, and a lower price than comparable European alternatives.

The biggest hurdle isn’t performance, comfort, or features—it’s perception. Luxury vehicles are as much about brand prestige as they are about engineering, and names like Bentley and Range Rover carry decades of cultural weight.

Even so, the way the U8 drives, the comfort it provides, and the confidence of its design suggest that China has come remarkably close to redefining luxury expectations. For those willing to look beyond traditional badges, the Yangwang U8 stands as a genuinely impressive and potentially surprising alternative in the premium SUV segment.

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