The Maddest Mid-size SUV Out There - HiPhi Y

HiPhi's penchant for making tech-filled cars with outlandish designs has helped them build quite a reputation in the premium market segment in China, and now they're bringing their unique brand of madness to Europe. But, despite what you were taught at school, after X and Z comes Y, and this is one targeting a more mainstream kind of customer. A little more conservative in its design, does the Y nevertheless hold up the HiPhi brand values and deliver a uniquely techy experience with a hint of drama. You bet it does. We took a drive in one to find out how it does.
Prices:
¥339,000 to ¥449,000
£36,300 to £48,000
$47,500 to $62,900
€42,300 to €56,000
*Sadly HiPhi looks to be on the ropes and awaiting a lifeline from Changan to keep going. Let's see how things go.
#china #chinacar #chinesecars #electriccar #HiPhi #carsofyoutube #technology #evs #premiumcar #luxurycars #luxurycar

[@blex5579]

The Chinese are not messing about...Cheers from Germany.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

They certainly aren't hanging about, they're offering amazing stuff at the moment.

[@hammondnordland4822]

Hiphi's R&D is off the chart, they are so bold and scare the hell outta old OEM's executives. Great job

[@InsideChinaAuto]

They're making some great stuff. Love their bold streak too

[@lancpudn]

Blimey! The Chinese car market has certainly come of age with their tech & design, This Hi-Phi Y is astonishing good, The people poo pooing Chinese brands are just ridiculous in this day & age. The Chinese EV car market is the only one I follow online as it's the best by a wide margin to others. I've had a MG ZS EV for three years now & love it, It's been faultless but I'd love to upgrade to one of these beauties. Thanks for a great review.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

You're very welcome. You're also totally right about the Chinese market, there are so many who cannot comprehend how good they've gotten with EVs and connectivity and tech and denial is just delaying the inevitable. Now they just need to slowly turn their reputation around in the minds of Europeans and they'll be really really strong.

[@st-ex8506]

A good EV is not only a car full of gadgetry, capable of sophisticated light shows. It must have a supporting environment: Show rooms, demonstration cars, technical support centers with adequate spare part supply... especially if they come all the way from China (!), and most importantly access to a wide-ranging, dependable and reasonably priced fast-charging network. The latter, of ALL manufacturers, only Tesla has. It must also be manufactured profitably.. or, in the initial phase, the manufacturer must have the financial resources to take the unavoidable early losses. HiPhi has nothing of that and, according to the latest news from China, is going bankrupt, leaving its early customers stranded with a non-supported worthless asset. But, just maybe, it will be taken over by a more dependable manufacturer??? I doubt it however.

[@omeryehezkely3096]

1. I like your presentation. 2. I hope HiPhi will bring this car to Europe soon.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

1. Thank you very much. 2. Yes they will. It's being shown at Goodwood Festival of Speed right now.

[@user-nl4sp7zl9k]

great job and cool vid. as usual~way to go Mark

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Glad you like it.

[@tomattime]

Another superb episode, and what a fascinating car. That interior is rather amazing

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Glad you liked it. It is indeed a pretty impressive car.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Nice to see that it’s not the dear old Allegro’s Quartic Steering Wheel!! It’s even in the smallest of cars like the Renault Zoe!!

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Yeah, there's a few odd ones going on, the Voyah Zhuiguang's six-sided effort probably the most unusual I've tried recently. Had a toy go-kart as a kid with a rectangle steering wheel.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

It’s a little like an MG4!! Personally, I think it’s quite attractive.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

It is, only quite a bit bigger and jacked up, but I see where you're seeing a resemblance. Not a bad looker at all.

[@Leonfr_2022]

Really nice car, well at least to sit in, saw it last week at Goodwood as well as the X, the X was production and working, whilst the Y was not fully functional, but the door system on this was very cool, both cars got a lot of attention, just wish that Xpeng G9 was there!!

[@InsideChinaAuto]

It is a good looking car and the gullwing doors are cool, though the electric doors can be a pain when you have to move out the way for them to open fully. From what I understand, the key detects the direction you're approaching and opens that door for you but we didn't have a key to use. How about the G6, did they have that there?

[@Leonfr_2022]

@@InsideChinaAuto oh right, understand with the keys, no nothing from Xpeng, I wouldn't mind bringing one for next year though, had the Nio ET5 (just the sedan/saloon) I'd love to be an embassador for either of them in the UK, just don't know how to go about it, like the technology in the Hiphi excites me, it's just different too, I don't like same things!! Haha

[@user-xv9hm9mw7t]

Amezing

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Mad vehicle, right? I love what these guys do.

[@marknorth7361]

Great detailed review, must have taken some time to edit, I think your reviews are getting better and better! 😊 looking forward to the ES6 review and your thoughts on how the L7/8 vs ES6 vs Hiphi stack up, where are the differences, strengths etc of each model. Thanks again! Denza N7 any chance? 😊😊

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Thanks so much Mark, really appreciate the feedback and you tuning in. Like anything you get better with more experience and the latest ones are a world away from my first ones but still plenty to improve. I'm looking forward to the ES6 too, and yes, we'll have an N7 end of the month so early August the review will be up.

[@felipecouto9726]

Quite interesting car, ive seen its brothers but not this one yet. Excellent video, worth of a new sub. One question tho, im quite curious to understand better how the set up the structure behind the screen and, what it seems to be, its support behind it. Its quite hard to find decent pics of it.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Thank you very much. And yes, it is an interesting car, as you might expect from HiPhi. The screen is simply hinged at the bottom and then there's a mechanical, kind of pneumatic looking arm that pushes it forwards and backwards.

[@felipecouto9726]

@@InsideChinaAuto thanks for the answer! i was curious to see this pneumatic thingy. and how it acts when the screen moves. i kinda saw it from their official press material but not so clearly. its quite unique to see such thing "open" for the user to check. Most auto makers hide most of these mechanisms when it regards screen movements. Thanks again! cant wait for the next vid

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@felipecouto9726 No worries mate, you're very welcome.

[@evkx]

Great review. Lots of details not able to get from HiPhi official site. Added your review to our article about this model. Question: There is no air suspension on this I understand. Did you get information about ground clearance?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Thank you very much for the share! From memory it doesn't have air suspension, just CDC, but no info on the ground clearance. I'll see what I can find.

[@yoyohighness]

great car indeed, the only downside I would say is the 0-100 km acceleration time not so impressive comparing to its rivals.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Yeah, a bit leisurely on that front, and the totally light steering isn't that great either, but otherwise it's lovely.

[@Gnap530]

In the rolling sequences filmed from the outside like for example 14:45-14:51 the suspension seems to make the body pretty pitchy lengthwise. It's like the body constantly pitches up and down between the front and the back. Ideally you'd want the suspension to "eat" the road and thus keeping the body still. Or is this a phenomena of the camera work? Did you have a follow car doing the shooting or a body mounted "selfie stick" camera?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Thanks for the comment. In terms of the moving shots, we had to borrow footage from HiPhi for that as the timing of the day meant we didn't have the chance to get all the shots we normally would so I'm not sure what set-up they had, I suspect a camera man in another car but I can't confirm that. Certainly driving it there was no feel of pitching front to back but I'm not sure what road they filmed the shots on.

[@Gnap530]

@@InsideChinaAuto Ok thanks. Seems like an amazing car though, hope it comes to Europe and with reasonable pricing.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@user-wr4ym4lc4v It's a great car, like so many here actually. It's amazing how consistently good they are from across the brands, each with their own outstanding points.

[@senseihEnRY16]

While i still prefer the crazy look of the Z, the Y is still a very handsome car, definitely prefer this than Model X, EQS SUV, or iX. Still, i hope Hiphi never stop making crazy and unique looking products

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Indeed, crazy is what makes them HiPhi, so I'm glad they kept the gullwings. And this definitely looks better than all those you mentioned.

[@skolziashiu]

Идеально

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Bet you can import one of these if you wanted one.

[@tdawg9933]

I too am a frunk enthusiast 😊

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Haha, it seems a lot of people are, though I nearly always forget to cover them and I get told when I haven't mentioned them.

[@Clarioner1]

Nice looking car - no powered tailgate seems a massive oversight, given all the other (arguably "overkill") tech elsewhere. I drive an Skoda Enyaq, and this looks to be similar size/boot space etc... but with a lot more bells and whistles. Only problem is UK is RHD, and so we get everything Chinese just about last in the world, due to cost of modifying driving position. A few exceptions being MG, BYD (Chinese), Hyundai, Kia Korean). there just seems to be so much good choice of EVs in China... still wouldn't want to live there though.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

It is powered, just not with the thing where you waft your foot underneath, which you're right does seem like a miss. Other than that though, I suspect this will be UK-bound in the next 18 months so you can keep your eye out for one.

[@haoruchen4216]

Hiphi is a much higher level badge actually

[@liamg5632]

Any chance this will come to the UK?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

I reckon so. No confirmed date, maybe 2024 if we're lucky. It'll be in Europe maybe end of this year or early next, and it's at the Goodwood Festival of Speed right now I believe so that looks like intent to me.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Although it looks fantastic - as I thought of the MG4, which looks a little like this one - it doesn’t really meet my needs. Although one COULD use it as a small camper, it would never be as good as the Vauxhall Combo Life Electric.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Haha. Gotta love a bit of Combo Life. Not as many screens though.

[@CT37BN]

Am sure even with rear camera view, a rear wiper would still help heaps than relying on air to take sticky dirt/grime off. Wiring with all the tech features must be a nightmare on a lot of EVs'. Liking the squat stance and few aero kit touches that blends really well with the exterior.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Yeah, just feels a bit of a cheap excuse to remove it but so many are doing it now. At least the rest of the car looks pretty good though. I'll be honest though, I prefer real rear view mirrors. Still takes getting used to having to adjust your focus for digital rear views.

[@rambleon3698]

​​@@InsideChinaAutoI had electric rear views in a borrowed Subaru. I loved them. Horses for courses ay. Love this review btw. Thanks

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@rambleon3698 Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it. Were those digital side mirrors?

[@woody1569]

Ok great suv and high tech, is it coming to England?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

I reckon a UK launch could be on the cards for end of 2024 or in 2025. They're starting in Europe right now and this car was at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this week, so that suggests to me they're strongly considering it.

[@martinjuna1736]

Hi, will there be a towing facility? Thank you

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Not that I've heard of, and there was no information on such an option in the press release I'm afraid.

[@christo123]

Nice work but where is everybody and other cars. is this a ghost city

[@InsideChinaAuto]

The B-roll was taken by HiPhi as I didn't have time on the day to get it all. Generally it's easier to do that kind of filming in quiet places, less hassle and stress.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

The car isn’t really what I thought it was. It’s too long to park in places like Hoddesdon, but it’s big both inside and out.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Yeah, it's certainly not small, though smaller than its siblings. Acres of room inside, for luggage and people, so hits the nail on the head there.

[@MircoWilhelm]

Is that a hint at a HiPhi V on the passenger screen?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Haha, I don't believe so, I think it's the Y.

[@MircoWilhelm]

@@InsideChinaAuto it is, but pretty distoretd in the video. On the other hand if they made on and it would look like a squashed Y this might be a cool car

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@@MircoWilhelm Maybe that's what comes next. Let's see.

[@jimmychoi5219]

Does the infotainment support English in China?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Not yet, but I suspect it won't be too difficult to get or will come soon since the European version will likely have English.

[@jimmychoi5219]

Thanks 🙏🏼… just saw Matt Watson reviewed this and he claimed this car is already available in Europe 😬😬😬

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@@jimmychoi5219 Yup, HiPhi just opened sales there I think, so I guess deliveries will begin maybe next year or late this year.

[@hang4963]

How much Sir ?

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Between £36,300 to £48,000 on currency translation. HiPhi only released the prices after the video was released so they're not in the video, just the description.

[@hang4963]

@@InsideChinaAuto I wondering will they coming to America 🤣🤙

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@hang4963 Quite likely but not sure when at the moment. The US will be a tough market to enter for Chinese brands given the current political situation and rivalry, but I've no doubt the US is in their plan. Europe starts this year already, so US maybe 2024, more likely earliest 2025 or 26 would be my guess.

[@user-tw2yw4uw5c]

33.90-44.90RMB

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@@user-tw2yw4uw5c Exactly, as stated in the description of the video.

[@user-iq3hx2bt1k]

特斯拉在中国很便宜 你会认为特斯拉是在打价格战吗？

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Undoubtedly, they started the price war in China because they have such high margins on their cars, they can afford to lose some and still make profit while trying to kill off some competition.

[@ProxyGamingPG]

Please dont review cars

[@InsideChinaAuto]

What do you want me to review?

[@paulino1010]

Imagina um carro destes na estrada de terra aqui fo Brasil...😅

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Might be quite nice with that air suspension.

[@sansan1time796]

Is it true that there is a ban on the production of cars with internal combustion engines in China? Are there any manufacturers that produce budget mini cars or have they all switched to "battery-powered" vehicles? Thank you in advance for your answer. I believe that your opinion is worthy of being called expert.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

Haha, well I appreciate the compliment. I can tell you with certainty that there's no ban on production of combustion engine cars in China, they are still the majority of cars produced here but the EV share is growing fast. Not even close to half yet though, maybe even a quarter because many brands export a lot of ICE cars out of China, both foreign and local.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@user-gz8uw1hb3d Believe full EV is B - 20%, with NEVs at A0 - 29%. Still not close, though a forecast today said they could become more than half a early as next year. Crazy.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@user-gz8uw1hb3d Haha, and you're missing out on a great experience. EVsc are just so much quieter and smoother and faster.

[@sansan1time796]

@@InsideChinaAuto for small business in countries with little fast chargers it's impossible to operate now with EV. Really struggling to find an assembly of small cheap petrol cars for deliveries, like Chery QQ - it seems, that the whole world is shutting mini petrol cars production down.

[@InsideChinaAuto]

@@sansan1time796 Chery QQ is also electric now. They're still ideal for small jobs and trips.