The Chinese passenger car market is an exciting place right now. While traditional fuel vehicles are fighting for attention with price cuts, new energy brands are pushing the envelope. They’re not just focusing on high-end models, but also making mainstream EVs more accessible. Enter the Li Auto i6, arriving at a pivotal moment, ready to shake things up.
Our test car, the all-wheel-drive variant, commands a price tag of 269,800 yuan (around $37,960 USD) and comes loaded with all the bells and whistles. If you’re looking for a slightly more wallet-friendly option, the rear-wheel-drive version starts at 249,800 yuan (roughly $35,140 USD). The i6 is clearly Li Auto’s play to drive significant sales in the pure-electric vehicle space, making a bold statement about their future direction.
Following the launch of its larger, six-seater sibling, the i8, the i6 faces considerable anticipation. Can this more affordable, five-seat, two-row SUV truly deliver the practicality, impressive range, and engaging driving experience that Li Auto has promised? Our in-depth test drive reveals a model engineered to blend daily usability with the advanced tech you’d expect from Li Auto’s electric lineup. It comes at a time when China’s EV market is increasingly captivating consumers with technically sophisticated vehicles.
Exterior: A Familiar Yet Distinctive Face
From the outside, there’s no mistaking the i6 as a member of the Li Auto family. The front fascia proudly displays the “star-ring” daytime running light signature, a design cue we’ve seen on earlier i-series models. Cleverly recessed headlights sit low on the bumper, and a clean, grille-less front gives it a unique identity, setting it apart from more conventional SUVs. Its proportions speak volumes about its design intent: measuring 4,950 mm long, 1,935 mm wide, and about 1,655–1,670 mm high, with a 3,000 mm wheelbase, the i6 is a mid-to-large SUV, yet it maintains a distinct two-row, five-seat configuration.
The side profile emphasizes a sleek, fastback roofline that elegantly slopes from the B-pillar to the rear hatch. This design choice creates a sporty, aerodynamic silhouette. Flush door handles, which appear only when needed, and low-drag wheels (available in 20- and 21-inch sizes) further highlight its aerodynamic focus. Around back, a full-width light bar and a subtle roof spoiler complete the clean aesthetic, differentiating the i6 from its boxier SUV counterparts. Our test car, with its 21-inch wheels, exuded a more aggressive, “sporty-crossover” vibe. Honestly, the overall effect is more akin to a modern fastback EV than a traditional SUV, and we absolutely love it.
Interior: A Welcoming Tech Haven
Slide into the cabin and you’ll find a familiar layout that aligns seamlessly with the broader i-series aesthetic. Dual screens dominate the dashboard, complemented by a head-up display and tactile physical controls for crucial functions like side-mirror adjustments and steering calibration. The materials and finishing feel well-executed, especially considering the i6’s price point. During evening drives, the cabin transformed into an inviting “living-room” atmosphere, with soft ambient lighting and carefully selected upholstery creating a sense of calm, far removed from the cold sterility sometimes found in tech-heavy showrooms.
Space truly remains a strong suit here. The second row, set up as a traditional three-seat bench, offers ample legroom. In “queen-seat mode,” the rear seat reclines with extended leg support, allowing a passenger under roughly 1.70 meters to stretch out almost completely. While you’ll need the front seats unoccupied for this mode, it’s perfect for a relaxed commute or a quick power nap. The rear bench is wide enough that even the middle seat remains tolerable for a third occupant, with seat backs and cushions providing good support.
Li Auto has thoughtfully integrated familiar conveniences, like standard front wireless charging pads, generous door-pocket and door-panel storage, and even a refrigerator in the rear cabin. Our test car featured the 21.4-inch ceiling-mounted rear entertainment screen, positioned optimally for rear-seat passengers without obstructing front-seat adjustments. Window sunshades, plush seat surfaces, and a generally flat floor create a highly practical daily environment. Plus, the panoramic windows, including a large rear side window and an optional fixed glass area overhead, enhance the feeling of space and openness, making every journey feel more expansive.
Driving Experience: Power and Poise
Underneath it all, the Li Auto i6 AWD runs on an 800-volt architecture, boasting an 87.3-kWh 5C lithium-iron-phosphate battery supplied by CATL. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system churns out a combined 400 kW (that’s about 536 hp), delivering robust and consistent performance for a mid-to-large SUV. The AWD i6 we tested weighs in at roughly 2,610 kg, which is slightly lighter than its bigger sibling, the i8. This contributes to a composed yet agile driving experience that feels surprisingly spry for its size. Acceleration is instant and controlled, and mid-range thrust, like merging onto a highway at 60 km/h, feels firm without being jarring. The official 0–100 km/h time of around 5.8 seconds feels spot-on for real-world driving. Overtaking and highway on-ramps are handled with confidence, thanks to responsive torque delivery from both motors.
The suspension, a dual-chamber air setup with continuous damping control, definitely earns its stripes. On the very same roads where we pushed the i8, the i6 AWD responded with impressive precision. Lane changes at 50–70 km/h produced minimal body roll or yaw, showcasing a level of composure that surpasses many mid-size electric SUVs. Ride quality varies depending on your chosen suspension mode. In “comfort” mode, the cabin offers a softly floating, “magic-carpet” sensation, expertly insulating occupants from road imperfections. Switch to “sport” mode, and the damping firms up, reducing body movement and tightening turn-in without ever feeling stiff or harsh. Even over pronounced bumps or speed-table transitions, the i6 AWD maintains stability and poise, making for a surprisingly engaging and comfortable drive.
For energy consumption, our mixed city and highway driving averaged around 16–17 kWh per 100 km under normal conditions. The CLTC-rated range of approximately 660 km seems entirely credible for conservative drivers. The Li Auto i6 AWD uses an 800-volt architecture with an 87.3-kWh 5C CATL battery and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system producing 400 kW (around 536 hp). Li Auto proudly states its 5C fast charging can add approximately 500 km of range in just 10 minutes under ideal conditions, which is seriously impressive.
Driver-assistance technology in the i6 mirrors that found in Li Auto’s premium models. The AWD i6 comes standard with the full “AD Max” suite, featuring a roof-mounted LiDAR (likely Hesai), a high-performance Nvidia-Thor compute unit, and a comprehensive sensor array. In urban environments, this system handles multi-lane merges, intricate junctions, and lane changes with remarkable steadiness, occasionally even executing maneuvers more decisively than a cautious human driver. However, in ambiguous or tight situations, the system might hesitate, signaling that human input is still needed. This highlights that it is a highly functional, advanced driver-assist solution, not full autonomy quite yet.
Verdict: A Strategic Game Changer
The Li Auto i6 truly stands out, showcasing meticulous engineering and practical packaging rather than relying on superficial gimmicks. Starting at roughly $35,000 USD, it’s significantly more affordable than the larger i8, yet it retains much of the ride quality, range, and technology that defines its more expensive sibling. Its dual-chamber air suspension, excellent insulation, smartly designed cabin, and practical features create a daily driving experience that feels neither compromised nor uninspired. Couple that with a long-range 87.3-kWh 5C battery, blazing-fast charging, and competitive performance from its 250 kW rear motor, and the i6 truly emerges as a seriously capable all-electric SUV in its class.
In a crowded mid-to-large EV SUV category filled with compact crossovers, standard SUVs, and some premium players, the i6 carves out a niche as a value-oriented yet technically proficient option. Its two-row, five-seater layout, balanced design, and strong performance suggest that buyers looking for an everyday electric SUV with extended range, superior ride quality, and cutting-edge hardware will find the i6 incredibly appealing. Compared to the i8, the i6 represents a clear strategic shift: it’s more affordable, effectively broadening Li Auto’s market reach and signaling the brand’s strong intention to capture mainstream buyers, all while staying true to its core focus on innovative EV technology.
