Chery has revealed the 2026 Exeed Exlantix ES, a comprehensively updated version of its electric sedan that gains the Falcon 700 advanced driver assistance system, an AI-powered intelligent cockpit, and a performance-oriented AWD variant ahead of June 10 pre-sales. The update represents Chery’s most aggressive push yet into the technology-driven premium EV segment dominated by XPeng and Huawei-backed brands.
The current Exlantix ES starts at approximately $22,400 (159,800 yuan), making it one of the most affordable EVs with LiDAR-equipped smart driving. The 2026 model targets a significant step up in technology content while maintaining aggressive pricing — a formula that has worked well for Chery in mass-market segments but remains unproven in the premium technology space.
Falcon 700: Robotaxi-Derived Smart Driving
The Falcon 700 system is the headline upgrade. Developed using algorithms derived from autonomous robotaxi development, it combines 27 sensors: 11 cameras, 12 ultrasonic radars, 3 millimeter-wave radars, and a roof-mounted LiDAR unit. The sensor fusion approach — combining camera, radar, and LiDAR inputs — provides redundancy in low-visibility conditions and complex traffic environments where pure vision-only systems can struggle.
The system covers highway, urban, and parking scenarios, representing a full-scenario smart driving capability at a price point well below competitors like XPeng’s XNGP or Huawei’s ADS. Chery is betting that LiDAR-equipped ADAS at mainstream prices will be a decisive differentiator in China’s increasingly tech-obsessed consumer market.
Powertrain and Performance
The Snow Leopard AWD 2.0 system delivers 345 kW (462 hp) of combined output from dual motors, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds with a 100-0 km/h braking distance of 34.8 meters. The chassis uses double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension with intelligent front-rear torque distribution.
The EREV variant pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged range extender with a 195 kW rear motor (RWD) or 345 kW dual motors (AWD), offering 255 km of CLTC pure-electric range and up to 1,645 km of combined range. The pure-electric version offers up to 97.7 kWh battery capacity with 880 km of CLTC range, making it one of the longest-range sedans in its price segment.
AI Cockpit and Usability
Inside, the Carmind AI large language model powers the Lingxi intelligent cockpit on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip. Chery has made practical usability improvements alongside the technology upgrades: physical shortcut buttons on the center console, manually adjustable air vents replacing touch-controlled versions, and redesigned interior trim elements. These changes address real-world usability complaints from current owners and reflect a maturing approach to in-car interface design.
The Exlantix ES faces an uphill battle in sales — April 2026 deliveries were just 31 units — but the 2026 refresh brings enough hardware and software upgrades to make it competitive on specifications alone. Whether Chinese consumers will see Chery’s Exeed brand as a credible premium technology player remains the critical unanswered question.
Sources
- CarNewsChina, Chery’s new Exeed Exlantix ES revealed
- ChinaPEV, 2026 Exeed ES debuts with Falcon 700
- Exeed official, EXEED official website
