Recently, the incident where Great Wall Motors reported BYD has been making waves, but this matter will eventually pass. Consumers’ main focus remains on the vehicles themselves. Meanwhile, automakers need to consider how to boost sales. Unlike Great Wall, Geely and Changan already have relatively clear new energy development plans, and they are gradually bearing fruit.
On May 31. Geely officially launched the Galaxy L7. offering five configurations, with prices ranging from 138.700 to 173.700 RMB. In comparison, the recently launched BYD Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition is priced between 135.800 and 159.800 RMB. The two models have become direct competitors. So, which one is stronger?
Distinctive Exteriors
The Galaxy L7 has been unveiled for a while now, and consumers are quite familiar with its exterior design. The newly launched models are all plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions, featuring a closed front design. It looks sleek and imposing, catering well to the tastes of younger consumers. Popular design elements such as the full-width light strip and split headlights are also present, making the car visually appealing.
The exterior of the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition is relatively more traditional, retaining a large front grille, making it closer in appearance to a fuel-powered vehicle. This is a design method often used in BYD’s Dynasty series, which appeals more to traditional users. In terms of looks, both cars have their unique features, but they target slightly different consumer groups.
This distinction is also reflected in the side design. The Galaxy L7 is 4.700mm long with a wheelbase of 2.785mm, providing ample space. It also adopts a floating body and fastback roof design, giving it a sporty and stylish look that resonates well with young buyers.
In contrast, the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition is slightly longer at 4.738mm but has a shorter wheelbase of 2.712mm, which affects rear-seat space. This might be related to its platform; many of BYD's Dynasty series models are based on a fuel-to-electric platform, giving them some disadvantages compared to newer competitors like the Galaxy L7.
The Galaxy L7 spares no expense to outperform the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition. Though its price is quite affordable, it comes standard with leather seats, automatic air conditioning, rear independent air conditioning, zoned temperature control, and PM2.5 filtration, offering comfort at a class-leading level.
In comparison, the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition only features faux leather seats, and combined with its space disadvantage, it lags behind the Galaxy L7 in terms of comfort. This shows that after years of technical accumulation, Geely has caught up to BYD in some areas, posing increasing competitive pressure for BYD in the future.
Similar Prices, Which One Offers More Features?
BYD has been a frontrunner in the new energy field, benefiting not only from its advantages in electric technology but also from the cost reductions brought by its large-scale sales. Offering fuel and electric versions at similar prices has become a hallmark of BYD, and now Geely's Galaxy L7 has also achieved this to some extent. The price of the Galaxy L7 is significantly lower than similarly priced joint-venture fuel vehicles, making it competitive against the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition.
The Galaxy L7 comes standard with features like a transparent camera system, cruise control, panoramic sunroof, keyless start, keyless entry, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip, and 4G network capabilities. However, it lacks advanced driving assistance features, offering Level 2 driving assistance only in the higher-priced models, which cost over 160.000 RMB, thus diminishing its value for money.
On the other hand, the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition excels in driving assistance. Except for the 135.800 RMB entry-level model, all other versions come equipped with advanced safety features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, and traffic sign recognition. Features like a 360-degree camera, transparent chassis, and remote parking are standard across all models. In terms of basic configurations, the differences between the two cars are minimal, as both meet users' everyday needs.
A Plug-in Hybrid Showdown: Which One Has the Edge?
BYD's global sales success owes much to its plug-in hybrid models. Seeing BYD's achievements, domestic automakers like Geely have also begun developing their own plug-in hybrid systems. The Galaxy L7 is equipped with a 120kW 1.5T engine and a 107kW front-mounted electric motor, with a combined output of 287kW. It offers two pure electric ranges of 43km and 90km, with a fast-charging time of just 30 minutes and a slow charge taking only 1.7 hours. However, it lacks a key feature: external discharge capability, which could affect the user experience.
The Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition, on the other hand, features an 81kW 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and a 145kW front-mounted electric motor. It offers electric ranges of 71km and 110km, and all versions come standard with external discharge functionality. In terms of powertrains, the Galaxy L7 has an advantage in engine power, but it falls behind in electric motor output compared to the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition. Despite both being plug-in hybrids, the two cars follow different design philosophies: the Galaxy L7 leans more on "fuel" while the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition emphasizes "electric."
Conclusion: In terms of pricing, the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition and the Galaxy L7 are in a similar range. However, the main models of the Song Pro DM-i Champion Edition are priced below 150.000 RMB, while the core Galaxy L7 models are priced above 150.000 RMB. This indicates that while Geely has made significant progress, there is still room for improvement in cost control.
