This $32K EV Looks Like A Porsche Taycan: Meet The SAIC Z7

SAIC just dropped something hard to ignore. The new Z7 looks a lot like a Porsche Taycan, but the price sits in a totally different world.

It starts at 219,800 yuan, or about $32k. For that kind of money, you’re usually looking at something pretty basic. A Taycan kicks off at $134,500, so the gap is huge.

The SAIC Z7 showed up earlier this year as a rival to the Xiaomi SU7, and now it’s on display at the Beijing Auto Show. There are a few versions to pick from. The regular sedan is called Z7, while the wagon goes by Z7T.

The base setup is already decent. Rear motor, 359 hp, and an 81 kWh battery. If you want more, there’s a 100 kWh pack and a dual-motor version with 590 hp. That one does 0 to 62 mph in 3.44 seconds, which is properly quick.

Then you look at the Taycan numbers, and it gets interesting. The base Taycan is slower and still costs way more. Even higher trims don’t completely run away from the Z7 in straight-line speed, yet the price difference stays huge.

The lineup is pretty simple. The Z7 Max starts at 219,800 yuan ($32,200) and claims 455 miles of range. Step up to the Max+ with the bigger battery, and it goes up to 249,800 yuan ($36,600) for 562 miles. The top Z7 Ultra adds dual motors, 491 miles of range, and starts at $43,900.

Same story with the wagon. The Z7T Max starts at $33,700 with 442 miles of range. The Max+ stretches that to 542 miles for $38,000. The Z7T Ultra sits at the top with 482 miles and a $45,400 price.

All of them come loaded. These cars are built under SAIC’s alliance with Huawei, so you get things like LiDAR and a pretty advanced driver assist system. On paper, it’s aiming straight at much more expensive EVs.

Of course, price isn’t everything. The Taycan still brings its own level of engineering and driving feel. But looking at the numbers alone, the Z7 makes a strong case. It’s fast, packed with tech, and costs a fraction of what you’d expect for something that looks and performs like this.

If this is where the segment is heading, things are about to get very competitive.