Buick will launch the Electra E7, its first SUV under the high-end Electra sub-brand, in the first quarter of 2026, according to a company announcement on January 13, 2026. The model has already entered China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) public filing process and expands Buick’s Electra lineup beyond the L7 sedan and the MPV variant.

The Electra E7 is built on Buick’s “Xiaoyao” Super Fusion Architecture and is positioned as a five-seat family SUV combining plug-in hybrid power, advanced driver assistance, and a high-performance digital cockpit. Buick confirmed the vehicle will be offered with a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor, alongside lower-cost variants without LiDAR.

The SUV measures 4,850 mm in length, 1,910 mm in width, and 1,676 mm in height, with a 2,850 mm wheelbase, placing it in China’s mid-size SUV segment. Buick describes the Electra E7 as a mid-to-large SUV, though market comparisons place it closer to larger mid-size rivals such as the Li Auto L6 and AITO M7 based on dimensions.

Exterior design follows the Electra styling, with a closed front grille, split headlights, C-shaped daytime running lights, and a full-width rear light bar officially named the “Galaxy Spreading Wings” taillight. The illuminated BUICK lettering sits at the center of the rear light assembly. Semi-hidden mechanical door handles and large-diameter wheels are standard across the range.

Buick confirmed the Electra E7 will be equipped with its “Xiaoyao Smart Driving” system, developed using the Momenta R6 reinforcement learning large model. The LiDAR-equipped versions are intended to support higher-level assisted driving functions. The cabin’s intelligent cockpit uses Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8775P chip, exceeding the computing capability of earlier GM systems sold in China.

Ride comfort is addressed through a preview-based RTD continuously variable damping suspension. According to Buick, the system scans road conditions up to 500 times per second and adjusts damping at millisecond intervals, exceeding conventional continuously controlled damping (CDC) systems.

Power comes from Buick’s “True Dragon Plug-in Hybrid Pro” system. The main configuration pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged hybrid-specific engine with an electric motor rated at up to 165 kW. The engine delivers 115 kW of rated power and 230 N·m of torque and has received the “China Heart” Top Ten Engines award. A lower-output version using a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated engine rated at 72 kW will also be offered to reduce the entry price.

Both configurations use lithium iron phosphate batteries and deliver more than 210 km (130 miles) of CLTC-rated pure electric range and over 1,600 km (994 miles) of combined CLTC range. Buick positions this capability as enabling most daily commuting to be completed on electric power while maintaining long-distance usability without frequent refueling.

Buick’s choice of a series-parallel plug-in hybrid system contrasts with the extended-range electric (EREV) approach adopted by several Chinese brands. Industry data shows that plug-in hybrid vehicles accounted for the majority of hybrid new-energy retail sales in late 2025, with monthly volumes rising from 361,000 units in October to 410,000 units in December. Policy rules released in October 2025 also tightened fuel consumption requirements for plug-in hybrids eligible for purchase tax incentives from 2026 to 2027.

Pricing has not been officially announced. Market estimates based on the Electra L7 sedan and the Electra MPV suggest a starting price near 160,000 CNY (c. $22,900), with higher-output 1.5T variants potentially ranging from 180,000 CNY to 220,000 CNY (c. $25,800–$31,500). Buick has not confirmed these figures.

With the Electra E7, Buick completes a sedan–MPV–SUV product matrix under the Electra brand. The model’s launch timing and technical configuration place it directly into China’s most competitive family SUV market as regulatory pressure and consumer demand continue to favor long-range plug-in hybrids.

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 6.977 CNY as of January 13, 2026