Amid intensifying competition in the new energy SUV market, SAIC-GM-Wuling, renowned as the “Brand for the People”, has ramped up its EV lineup with two landmark new models. One is the Huajing S, fully equipped with Huawei Qiankun ADS high-level intelligent driving assistance system and an in-cabin LiDAR. The other, which has been spotted in spy shots previously, sits one tier below the Huajing S as a standard mid-large SUV, yet its pricing strategy stands out as its biggest highlight.
Dubbed Starlight L, Wuling’s new large six-seater is an extended addition to the Starlight product family, though the “extended” label barely scratches the surface of its positioning. Classified as a mid-large SUV, its pre-sale promotional pricing ranges from RMB 117,800 to RMB 137,800 — a bracket nearly overlapping with the compact Starlight S. Wuling’s bold move to create internal product pricing overlap underscores its unwavering ambition to elevate its brand while driving down price points amid fierce market competition. With the well-received Huajing S earning rave online reviews for premium build quality and a driving experience exceeding buyers’ budget expectations, the industry is now questioning: Can the Starlight L replicate the runaway market success of Leapmotor’s hit models by bringing a full-size six-seater SUV into an unprecedented affordable price range?
The Starlight L fully embodies Wuling’s core competitive strategy of aggressive market undercutting and differentiated positioning. The key to its remarkably low starting price of RMB 117,800 for a mid-large SUV lies in in-house technological development, a strategy shared by Leapmotor and BYD alike. Over the years, Wuling has leveraged self-developed core technologies and a self-sufficient supply chain system to secure critical cost and performance advantages. Its proprietary innovations span the full spectrum of new energy vehicle core technologies and intelligent features, including the Tianyu vehicle architecture, Lingmou intelligent driving assistance suite, Lingxi hybrid powertrain, Shenlian power batteries and Lingyu intelligent cockpit system.
Powertrain & Battery: Efficient Hybrid Performance with Fast-Charging Safe Batteries
The Starlight L adopts Wuling’s self-developed 3.0 Lingxi hybrid system paired with a highly integrated 10-in-1 electric drive unit, delivering lower fuel consumption under battery depletion and enhanced high-speed performance. At its heart is a bespoke 1.5L hybrid engine boasting a peak thermal efficiency of 43.2%, balancing fuel efficiency across both urban and highway driving cycles. Under the WLTC test cycle, its fuel consumption drops to as low as 5.9 L per 100 kilometers when running on a depleted battery. Mated to an integrated DHT transmission, the SUV sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190 km/h.
Its Shenlian battery pack, shared with the premium Huajing S and upgraded through internal R&D, supports 3C fast charging and features industry-leading zero thermal runaway safety technology. With a capacity of 37.9 kWh, it delivers a pure electric cruising range of 260 km under the CLTC cycle. Charging from 30% to 80% state of charge takes just 15 minutes, while a standard 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load external discharge function is fitted for outdoor power needs. The battery cells are jointly developed and manufactured by Wuling and Ruipu Saike.
Chassis & Riding Hardware
For chassis configuration, the Starlight L features a front MacPherson strut suspension paired with a rear four-link independent suspension setup. In theory, its ride tuning lags slightly behind the Leapmotor C16, which uses a front MacPherson and rear five-link layout with adaptive damping. The vehicle employs a front-wheel-drive architecture, and high-spec trims come factory-fitted with Michelin tires — a generous hardware specification for vehicles in this price bracket.
Spacious 6-Seater Cabin with Versatile Layout
Targeting family users, the Starlight L adopts a popular 2+2+2 six-seat layout, which delivers far superior second-row passenger comfort compared to conventional seven-seat configurations. Drawing on Wuling’s decades of MPV design expertise, the model prioritizes practical spatial details that many competitors overlook.
The front headrests are removable; folding the front seat backrests flat creates a full-length bed extending into the rear cabin.
The third-row seats abandon thin, uncomfortable bench-style cushions found on many affordable SUVs for thicker, supportive padding; laying them flat also forms a spacious sleeping area.
Additional hidden storage sits beneath the trunk floor. The standard cargo volume stands at 383 liters, with an extra 101 liters of recessed underfloor storage. Folding down the third row unlocks a maximum cargo capacity of 1,103 liters.
Comprehensive Standard Equipment & Robust Safety
Despite its aggressive pricing, the Starlight L boasts an extensive list of factory-standard features:
20-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, 3C fast charging, 260 km pure electric range, keyless entry, power liftgate, AGS active air intake grille, 50 W wireless phone charging, heated front and second-row seats, magnetic charging ports for the second row, dedicated third-row cup holders, independent second-row air vents, a 2K-resolution central control touchscreen, native vehicle intelligent operating system and voice recognition control.
In passive safety, the body adopts a six-ring high-strength rigid frame. 1,500 MPa aerospace-grade hot-stamped steel reinforces 21 critical load-bearing sections, while high-strength steel accounts for 75% of the vehicle body structure. Six wrap-around airbags come standard across all trims.
Exterior Styling & Body Dimensions
The Starlight L sports a minimalist contemporary design language. Its front fascia features a full-width LED headlight assembly paired with vertical teardrop-shaped LED daytime running lights reminiscent of Cadillac’s signature lighting, lending a refined, streamlined aesthetic.
Key body dimensions: 4,980 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, 1,760 mm in height, with a wheelbase stretching to 2,950 mm, firmly placing it in the mid-large SUV segment. Smooth, sculpted side panels complement the 20-inch alloy wheels for a premium road presence. At the rear, Wuling’s family-style gate-shaped taillight set delivers exceptional visibility and brand recognition when illuminated.
Closing Thoughts
As internal combustion engine SUVs near the end of their product lifecycles, domestic Chinese automakers and new EV startups have developed full-stack self-reliant technologies covering powertrains, intelligent cockpits and batteries. Catering to fast-growing demand for multi-passenger family vehicles, vertical supply chain integration has drastically cut manufacturing costs, making new energy SUVs vastly more compelling to consumers than they were five years ago.
Nevertheless, the marketplace remains fiercely competitive. The Starlight L faces stiff competition from established rivals including the Leapmotor C10, AION N60 and BYD Song Ultra, all occupying the same price segment. Whether Wuling’s cost-effective mid-large six-seater can carve out a distinct niche amid this crowded field remains to be seen.
