The Li Mega electric minivan is a bullet train for the road

The Li Mega is an electric luxury minivan designed to be extremely aerodynamic, with company founder and CEO Li Xiang boasting, “Just guess the drag coefficient” as the caption of its first official images. At a mobility event in Abu Dhabi earlier this month, I got an opportunity to explore the Li Mega’s design, interior, comfort, features and tech. Here’s how it went:

Design

Shape-wise, the Li Mega looks like a cross between the Hyundai Staria and the Toyota Previa. Its drag coefficient of 0.215Cd not only contributes to efficiency but also gives it a futuristic appeal. This MPV has a short hood, an expansive windshield, steeply raked A-pillars, a huge front quarter glass, large windows, and notably short overhangs.

The egg-shaped MPV’s roofline and upright rear end are reminiscent of the Hyundai Seven concept. On the roof is an ultra-high-definition long-range LiDAR, supplied by Hesai.

Interior

Stepping inside, the lI Mega’s interior lives up to its reputation as a flagship minivan for large families, offering a spacious and luxurious “mobile living space.” The 2+2+3 seating arrangement ensures ample room for passengers, while the high-quality materials and finishes provide a premium feel. The second-row captain’s chairs stand out with their extensive adjustability, heating, massage functions, and wireless charging.

Enhancing the passenger experience further are features like a foldable ceiling screen, airline-style tray tables, and heated leg rests. The third-row seats are versatile, folding down to accommodate additional cargo when needed.

Front seats

I’m six feet tall, and ingress and egress were easy thanks to the tall doors and the minivan’s lower ground clearance.

When I sat in the driver’s seat, I first checked for all-around visibility, which was excellent thanks to the massive windows and quarter glass panels. The large windscreen offers a fantastic view of the road ahead, but there is no getting away from the size of the vehicle.

The steering wheel with an electrically adjustable column felt quite normal in grip and feel. It comes with a screen above the horn pad that provides vital info like charge remaining, temperature, and drive mode. My head was nowhere near the headliner, thanks to the Mega’s massive side structure. The lumbar support was excellent, while the under-thigh support felt generous. The cushions on the headrest also help in improving comfort, and the armrests are designed to provide good posture and support.

The overall quality of the materials was quite premium, but I wouldn’t classify this as a luxury car. After close inspection, I particularly liked the snappiness of the touchscreen, as well as the quality of the graphics and resolution.

Second row

In the second row, sitting right behind the driver’s seat that was adjusted for a six-foot-tall person, I had no complaints about the legroom and knee room. The individual seats are inspired by the seats in a private airline cabin, and come with ventilation, heating, massage, and a wireless charger.

Third row

The third-row seats are perhaps the most comfortable ones I have ever been in for a minivan. The legroom and knee room are comparable to the second-row seats, while headroom is only slightly lower.

The seats, with excellent back and under-thigh support, are heated and offer recline. Unlike usual third-row seats, I didn’t find myself in a knee-up posture. However, the entry to the third row is through the passage between the individual captain chairs, which requires a little bending and twisting to get there, especially for a six-footer.

Specifications

The Li Mega is 5,350 mm (210.6 in) long, 1,965 mm (77.4 in) wide, and 1,850 mm (72.8 in) high, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm (129.9 in). It has a range of 710 km (CLTC) on a single charge, thanks to its 102.7 kWh Qilin 5C battery pack from CATL.

The 800V architecture supports ultra-fast charging at 552 kW, adding 500 km (311 mi) of range in just 12 minutes. The electric minivan features a 155 kW (208 hp) front motor and a 245 kW (329 hp) rear motor, delivering a combined torque of 542 Nm (400 lb-ft). It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds.

Also See: First Look Review: The Li Auto L9 is a no-compromise family SUV

TopElectricSUV says

The Li Mega holds great importance for Li Auto, providing a unique opportunity to challenge established brands and develop a strong foothold in the high-end electric minivan market. However, sales have declined since the launch, with 3,229 units delivered in March and only 1,145 units in April, according to CNEVPost. In response, Li Auto reduced the starting price from RMB 559,800 (USD 78,725) to RMB 529,800 (USD 74,506), and it will be interesting to see how Li Auto puts the model back on the path of growth.