Well well, the 2027 Yuan UP comes right out of the gate shouting a starting price of 69,800 yuan—who wouldn't be dazed by that?
But don't rush to call it a steal just yet. The new model's MSRP is 74,800 yuan, and to get it at 69,800 yuan you need a 5,000 yuan trade-in subsidy. If you don't have an old car to trade in, you can't get that 69,800 yuan entry price. By contrast, the old model—many dealerships were offering direct cash discounts, no trade-in hassle required, and you could get the bare car at a relatively low price.
Now looking at the specs, the new model does have some visible upgrades: the interior switches to a column shifter and a two-spoke steering wheel, the body is slightly longer, and the long-awaited 501 km long-range version is finally added. Details like the high-trim wheels and rear center headrest have also been optimized. But the old model's high trim had a higher-power motor option, and that option is now gone. The chassis structure is unchanged—still a torsion beam rear suspension. The independent suspension everyone was hoping for still didn't make the cut this time. The three-electric warranty stays the same, though—lifetime warranty for the first owner is still there.
So does this count as a price increase? It depends on two scenarios.
If you plan to go the trade-in route and happen to have an old car to offset the cost, then the new model's pricing can be considered flat, and you get the new interior and the 501 km range option on top—overall not a bad deal. But if you don't have an old car and can't enjoy the trade-in subsidy, buying the new model at official MSRP means that compared to the old model's previous terminal bare-car discounts, at the same trim level, the new model's actual out-the-door cost will be higher. Add to that the fact that some dealerships are offering significant discounts on remaining old-model inventory—if you don't care about the 501 km long-range version, then for you, the new model doesn't really represent a value upgrade.
Of course, no matter which trim you pick, new or old, it's positioned as a city runabout. The pros: cheap to charge, easy to drive and park, and the battery warranty gives peace of mind. The cons are equally straightforward: wind and tire noise get loud at highway speeds, and there's a lot of hard plastic in the interior. You can't measure it against the standards of a 100,000+ yuan SUV. Before buying, if you can, definitely go for a test drive—feel the chassis and noise for yourself, then decide whether to pull the trigger.
So, for this 2027 Yuan UP wave, do you think it's more car for the same price, or a disguised price hike? Which range version do you lean toward? Go straight for the long range and be done with it, or is a mid-to-low trim good enough? Let's chat in the comments.
