From mostly small-displacement turbocharged crossovers, Chinese cars in the Middle East are becoming more varied and exciting. Exeed has found reasonable success with its range of ICE-powered SUVs, notably the RX and VX. Now, the Chinese marque’s new electric sub-brand brings the Exlantix ET SUV and this…the 2025 Exeed Exlantix ES sedan to the UAE market.
We road-tested the REEV Ultra variant thoroughly and found that, beyond its sleek looks, it’s technologically unique and advanced. Classified as a REEV, it drives like a BEV but uses a small ICE generator to recharge the battery. Intrigued? Let’s dive right in!
Exterior: Swoopy futuristic bodywork with wheels sizes ranging from 19” to 21″
The Exeed ES wears sleek bodywork that seems derived straight from one’s imagination, and everyone from third-graders to seasoned auto designers would agree. Its sharply raked nose, low-slung profile, and fastback roofline make it look more like a futuristic road craft than a traditional 3-box sedan. These flowing lines help achieve a drag coefficient of just 0.205, captivating the busiest eyes while staying practically invisible to the wind. The ultra-slim, angled LED headlamps (and DRLs) have been given a pull-back effect, which creates a sense of motion. Below them are large triangular faux-intakes that add flair, while the top-spec BEV swaps them for triangular LED matrix panels that display animations and emojis. At the rear, a continuous light bar and a seamlessly integrated pop-out spoiler keep the futuristic theme alive.
Measuring 4,945 × 1,978 × 1,485 mm with a 3,000 mm wheelbase, it stands planted visually. Flush door handles keep the smooth body panels free of chinks, while the 245-section tyres on 20-inch turbine-style wheels (or the even more intricately designed 21s on the BEV) with red calipers signal sportiness.
The result of this Chinese ingenuity is one of the sportiest sedans around. Drive it, and kids will think it’s a spaceship while your German-car-owning friends quietly seethe. This shiny new thing is perfect for the streets of Dubai, I think.
Interior: Tesla-like minimalism, giant 15.6” screen, nappa leather & self-closing doors
Helping it lay claim to its luxury tag are self-closing frameless doors à la Rolls-Royce — much like an electric Butler. Though it could do with some calibration. The soft-closing function is, however, exclusive to the BEV model. You get two key fobs, while the higher BEV variant adds a fancy NFC card for locking/unlocking and vehicle operation.
Inside, the cabin favours clean architecture with straight lines, smooth surfaces, and a massive 15.6-inch infotainment screen which serves as the focal point. Wooden door trims, metal buttons, and metallic speaker covers lend quiet elegance that surpasses Tesla’s bare-bones minimalism, while the BMW-style ambient lighting enhances the ambience. Though a closer look does reveal that the latter is just a clever application of shimmering lights behind faceted plastic. Do note that the Ultra trim comes only in black upholstery, but the BEV variant does offer a dual-tone scheme with red seats and dash accents.
At the helm is a two-spoke steering wheel, wrapped in not-quite-leather, which adds a futuristic touch, while slim metallic trims provide tasteful decoration. Like Tesla vehicles, various vehicular functions are controlled by two roller buttons on the steering wheel or voice-activated. Behind it sits an 8.2-inch digital instrument cluster with limited customisation, although its smallish size was more of a surprise. The stalk-mounted transmission shifter, also Tesla-inspired, sits on a steering column and is easy to use. But the steering column itself could use more adjustability – I couldn’t quite find the ideal driving position, though shorter drivers might.
Seats are upholstered in perforated Nappa leather with quilted uppers, though they feel like a mix of faux and genuine hide stitched together. They look great, offer good support, and the driver’s seat headrest come with built-in speakers. The driver’s seat also has 8-way adjustment and a massage function. Rear space is generous — at 6 ft, I still had 4–6 inches of extra legroom, similar to the Lexus ES. A panoramic sunroof rounds off the package, perfect for admiring the Dubai skyline.
Drivetrain & drive: Quick acceleration, smooth ride, finicky brakes and an incredible 1,100 km range
The Exeed ES has a regular EV variant, called the BEV. This, however, is the ES REEV Ultra — a REEV, if you didn’t know, stands for “Range-Extended Electric Vehicle”. Like a Tesla, it’s an electric car, but with a twist. It has a 40 kWh battery and two motors driving both axles for all-wheel traction. Additionally, it features a tiny 1.5-litre 4-cylinder engine, not mechanically connected to the drivetrain, which acts as a generator to recharge the battery alongside regenerative braking. Despite this, the REEV is as silent as a regular EV, with the ICE producing only a mild hum, audible only on the outside.
The advantage? You can charge it like a standard EV or refuel the petrol tank in just 5–10 minutes — far faster option than charging a large-capacity battery in a regular EV. A retractable flap opens up to ports that support both AC and DC inputs. Thanks to the 800 V architecture, topping up the battery range takes only a few minutes granting a 150 km range as per the brochure (120 km as per the website). The battery comes with an industry-standard 8-year/160,000 km warranty. More impressively, with both battery and tank full, the claimed range is an incredible 1,190 km. Our indicated range was close at 1,100 km, which is about 50–100 % more than what many ICE cars can offer.
Combined output from the motors is 463 PS, and max torque is rated at a very potent 634 Nm — comparable to a typical 6-litre German or an 8-litre American engine. On the road, it’s a delight to drive, delivering smooth, strong acceleration from traffic lights or for overtaking maneuvers. Sprinting from 0–100 km/h shouldn’t take more than 5 seconds. On the flip side, the brakes feel slightly soft and can be jerky. This is not to be confused with braking effect, which is adequate. It has several drive modes to suit various driving moods. In Sport mode, the suspension even lowers by 10 mm for better cornering. With its softly sprung ride thanks to its intelligent gimbal air suspension, it excels as a comfortable daily driver and family car, necessary qualities for fast-paced lives of the city.
Features & functionality: Sizable trunk, a frunk, 50W wireless charger, 23-spkr audio and Level 2 ADAS
Stowage includes a decent front cubby beside two cupholders, spacious door bins, a large rear boot (though the full-size spare occupies most of it), and a small but usable frunk of about 50 litres — adequate for airport or grocery runs.
Touted as a car of the future, the ES lives up to its first impression overall, technologically speaking. Infotainment graphics are vivid, though response is slow, and voice controls aren’t particularly receptive. Android Auto simplifies operating navigation and playlists, but making that initial connection took a little longer than expected. A 50 W wireless charger, thankfully angled toward the driver like in a Tesla makes usability possible on the go , and a large coolbox with USB-A and USB-C ports offer added connectivity and charging options. Audio comes from a 23-speaker Lion Melody system with silver speaker covers — a major step up from the base model’s 8. It delivers excellent sound, perfect for your staycation drives to Hatta and road trips to Oman.
In terms of safety, the ES offers plenty. The 360° camera offers clear visuals on the large central screen and activates automatically near curbs. Expectedly, Level 2 ADAS is active but it can feel intrusive at times, especially the lane departure warning and assist, despite a live indicator. The car also includes TPMS, front and rear parking sensors, auto parking, a dashcam (SD card required), and a fire extinguisher which is, oddly, stored under the centre console shelf. The HUD is present, but it’s nothing to write home about.
The ES has a reasonably efficient tri-zone automatic climate control with unique functions like “blowing on people” which does like it reads. Rear passengers have two USB-C ports and their own A/C controls. It also comes with a fast-acting deodoriser, a fragrance system akin to luxury cars costing two to three times as much, and “nap” and “caring” modes as well.
Verdict: Sleek, sporty sedan with unique, luxury features and incredible range; some features lack finesse
With its sleek sports car silhouette, the 2026 Exeed Exlantix ES sedan looks unlike anything else on the road. Beyond its speedy appearance, it is a large mid-size family sedan offering ample space, luxury features, and performance to match its looks, all while keeping occupants comfortable over an astonishing 1,100 km range. It has the potential to be a market disruptor, thanks to being an REEV and as a value proposition, though not without caveats — the steering column adjustments could be improved, most vehicular functions have to be managed via the touchscreen, the ADAS can seem intrusive, and it’s too early to discuss reliability and resale value. A 7-year/200,000 km manufacturer warranty, however, offers considerable peace of mind for UAE owners.
Rivals
As a REEV in sedan format, the ES doesn’t have any direct rivals, but that’s not to say that those shopping for EVs will also consider the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, the Kia EV6, BYD Han and the Zeekr 001.
