In Chongqing, a city known for its natural test-driving terrain and where car companies are abundant, what kind of new energy vehicle can truly win over consumers?
Plug-in hybrids are currently the most suitable model for mainstream Chinese families, offering stronger power and lower fuel consumption while eliminating range anxiety. If you're considering buying a compact plug-in hybrid sedan, then the BYD Qin PLUS DM-i and Geely Galaxy L6 are unavoidable choices.
The BYD Qin PLUS, which has been on the market for some time, has benefited from the new energy boom. But can the Galaxy L6 leverage its latecomer advantage? At the Geely Galaxy test drive event, we aimed to find out through a direct comparison.
1. Exterior Comparison: Which Do You Prefer, the Large Grille or the Closed Front Face?
First, in terms of exterior design, both cars have their own distinctive features. The BYD Qin PLUS, as a continuation of a classic model, retains the large grille design typical of fuel vehicles. While not particularly eye-catching, it is conservative and unlikely to go wrong. On the other hand, the Galaxy L6 features a closed grille that seamlessly integrates with split headlights on both sides and a full-width light strip, creating a tech-savvy appearance that aligns more closely with consumer expectations for new energy vehicles.
Of course, design preferences vary from person to person, but the dynamic experience is the core focus of this test drive comparison.
The 3-speed DHT transmission is designed to address the issues of weak acceleration in the mid-to-late stages and low top speed in hybrid vehicles. From the comparison table, it's clear that the Galaxy L6 outperforms in both top speed and 0-100 km/h acceleration, and despite better performance, it also boasts lower fuel consumption when the battery is depleted—one of the key benefits of the 3-speed DHT transmission.
In real-world experience, the BYD Qin PLUS offers brisk acceleration from a standstill, but as speed increases, the power reserve slightly diminishes. Meanwhile, the L6 maintains strong secondary acceleration even at medium to high speeds. In other words, while both cars perform well in low-speed urban driving, the Galaxy L6. with its larger engine and 3-speed DHT transmission, truly shines when taken onto city expressways or highways. After 80 km/h, its acceleration remains robust, making it a breeze to overtake long trucks with just a light press on the gas pedal—an exhilarating experience on the highway.
3. Chassis Differences: Independent vs. Non-Independent Suspension
The dynamic performance of the two cars shows noticeable differences. The BYD Qin PLUS features a front MacPherson and rear non-independent suspension, tuned primarily for comfort. During the test drive, I could feel that the suspension effectively filtered out vibrations on bumpy roads to the maximum extent. However, the softer suspension increased body roll during quick lane changes, meaning that while it offers good comfort in straight-line driving, you'll need to reduce speed more when cornering.
The Galaxy L6. on the other hand, uses an e-CMA chassis with a front MacPherson and rear E-type multi-link independent suspension, offering superior hardware compared to the Qin. Independent suspension provides higher comfort and handling limits. Right from the start, I noticed the Galaxy L6 offered stronger lateral support, giving me greater driving confidence and reducing the extent of lateral body sway, thus enhancing passenger comfort.
Final Thoughts
Each model has its own style, and comparison test drives are my favorite way to evaluate them. Through this real-world experience, I found that compared to the more established BYD Qin PLUS, the Galaxy L6 benefits from its latecomer advantage, featuring a more tech-forward design, faster 0-100 km/h acceleration, and lower fuel consumption when the battery is depleted, thanks to the 3-speed DHT transmission. Additionally, its superior suspension hardware combined with well-tuned chassis settings ensures a balance between comfort and handling.
Previously, the BYD Qin PLUS had a pricing advantage over the Galaxy L6. However, I learned that the current discount on the Geely Galaxy L6 can reach up to 22.000 yuan, effectively narrowing the price gap between the two cars. So, which one would you choose now? I believe you already have your answer.
