by Update: GM has unveiled the production version of the China-exclusive Buick Electra L7 sedan, releasing full powertrain specs. This story has been updated with new details and images.
While Buick’s presence in the US is now all about crossovers and SUVs, the brand is taking a different approach in China, where the traditional sedan still has a place. The all-new Electra L7 joins Buick’s portfolio in the world’s largest automotive market, bringing modern styling, a high-tech interior, and electrified powertrains.
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Electra is Buick’s sub-brand for new energy vehicles. It was formally announced in April 2025, with three concepts: a sedan, an SUV, and a minivan. The Electra L7 is the production version of the sedan, which evolves from the 2024 Electra L concept shown the previous year.
From Concept To Production
The model retains much of the design language introduced in the concept, though a few features have been streamlined for production. The lighting signature at both ends has been reworked, with more practical LED graphics. Furthermore, the sleek, flush door handles and traditional side mirrors replace some of the show car’s more experimental elements, bringing it closer to real-world usability.
Buick highlights its wing-shaped “Galaxy” headlights and turbine-style alloy wheels as standout features. The L7 wears a fastback silhouette focused on aerodynamics and measuring 5,032 mm (198.1 in) long, 1,952 mm (76.9 in) wide, and 1,500 mm (59.1 in) tall. A 3,000 mm (118.1 in) wheelbase gives it a spacious footprint, putting it slightly longer than the Tesla Model S and Mercedes-Benz EQE, though shorter than the BMW i5.
A Minimalist and Techy Interior
Inside, the L7 offers a minimalist but premium-looking cabin anchored by a floating island-style dashboard. It features two screens: a driver display and a tablet-style infotainment unit on the center console. Physical controls are limited to a few buttons on the lower console and steering wheel, which still retains multifunction stalks, including for the transmission control.
Luxury touches include Nappa leather upholstery and four-zone “suspension” seats, with the front passenger seat offering a dual 120-degree zero-gravity function. A 27-speaker Buick Sound system integrates headrest speakers and active noise cancellation.
The Electra L7 also gets a massive 50-inch augmented reality head-up display, and an array of AI-driven features. All of this runs on Qualcomm’s 8775 chip, which supports high-end infotainment and connectivity. Driver assistance tech will come from Chinese tech company Momenta, which has developed a suite of sophisticated ADAS capabilities using LiDAR.
Platform With Options
The sedan is just one of six new energy models Buick plans to launch in the next year, likely alongside production versions of Electra’s SUV and minivan concepts. All of them will be built on Buick’s Xiao Yao architecture, a flexible platform designed specifically for China. These underpinnings are compatible with fully electric, plug-in hybrid, and range-extender powertrains, in FWD, RWD, and AWD layouts.
More: Buick’s New Sedan Concept Rivals The S-Class In Size
At launch, the Electra L7 will feature a range-extender powertrain. It’s powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine from SAIC, producing 154 hp (115 kW / 156 PS) and 230 Nm of torque. The engine doesn’t drive the wheels directly; instead, it acts solely as a generator to recharge the 40.2 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack.
Propulsion comes from a 238 hp (252 kW / 343 PS) electric motor that Buick says delivers performance comparable to a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. In EREV form, the Electra L7 accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).
More impressively, the Electra L7 delivers a combined range of 1,400 km (870 miles), including up to 302 km (188 miles) of EV-only driving under the (generous) CLTC cycle. Despite its performance, efficiency remains a highlight, with average fuel consumption rated at just 0.5 liters per 100 km (470 mpg).
In the near future, Buick plans to offer a fully electric version of the Electra L7. This variant will feature a CATL-supplied battery and a 900V electrical architecture, enabling support for ultra-fast charging. According to GM’s estimates, the system will be capable of adding up to 350 km (218 miles) of range in just 10 minutes, significantly reducing downtime during long trips.
Pricing and Availability
GM positions the new Buick Electra L7 as a “300,000-class” vehicle, suggesting a price near ¥300,000 ($41,800). Final pricing will be announced on September 28 when pre-sales open, with deliveries starting in Q4 2025.
As with other Electra-branded models, the L7 is likely to stay exclusive to China, so a US launch isn’t in the cards. Production will take place at the factory of the SAIC-GM joint venture in Wuhan.
Buick has sold over 10 million vehicles in China since 1998. Its local lineup offers a much wider choice of models compared to that in the US, including four SUVs, four sedans, one hatchback, and a range of minivans.
