The Electra E5 is comparable in size to the FAW-Volkswagen ID.6 CROZZ, but priced about RMB 50,000 less than the latter.

Buick launches electric SUV Electra E5 in China with competitive pricing-CnEVPost

(Image credit: Buick)

General Motors' Buick brand has officially launched its first electric model based on the Ultium platform, and competitive pricing makes it one worth watching.

Buick made the Electra E5 available at a launch event on April 13, offering five versions with starting prices of RMB 208,900 ($30,510), 222,900, 225,900, 239,900, and 278,900 respectively.

The vehicle is a five-seat SUV with a length, width and height of 4,892 mm, 1,905 mm and 1,655 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2,954 mm.

Buick launches electric SUV Electra E5 in China with competitive pricing-CnEVPost

The car is available in 3 range versions with CLTC ranges of 545 km, 603 km and 620 km.

Its highest-priced version with a range of 603 km is a dual-motor four-wheel drive version, while the other versions are single-motor ones.

The version with the lowest range has an electric motor with a maximum power of 180 kW and uses a ternary lithium battery with a battery pack capacity of 68 kWh.

The version with the highest range has a motor with a maximum power of 150 kW and uses a ternary lithium battery pack with a capacity of 80 kWh.

Buick launches electric SUV Electra E5 in China with competitive pricing-CnEVPost

The four-wheel drive version of the Electra E5 has a front permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 143 kW and a maximum torque of 305 Nm and a rear induction asynchronous motor with a maximum power of 68 kW and a maximum torque of 160 Nm. It is powered by an 80 kWh ternary lithium battery pack.

The car is equipped with Buick's next-generation Virtual Cockpit System (VCS), as well as the next-generation Super Cruise assisted driving system.

Buick launches electric SUV Electra E5 in China with competitive pricing-CnEVPost

The Electra E5 is comparable in size to the FAW ID.6 CROZZ, but has a lower price tag.

The ID.6 CROZZ has a length, width and height of 4891 mm, 1848 mm and 1679 mm, respectively, and a wheelbase of 2965 mm. It is currently available in four versions at suggested retail prices of RMB 259,888, RMB 285,888, RMB 293,888 and RMB 338,888, respectively.

On the day of the Electra E5's release, a discussion on Weibo about Buick offering a low-to-the-floor price became a trending topic.

Buick launches electric SUV Electra E5 in China with competitive pricing-CnEVPost

($1 = RMB 6.8462)

GM plans to launch over 15 EV models in China by 2025