Avatr 07

First Impressions

Walking up to the Avatr 07, the first thing that hits you is the proportions. It's more compact than the 11, and honestly, that works in its favour. The purple launch colour with its metallic flake pops beautifully under spotlights, though the white looks equally striking, like a Stormtrooper on wheels.

The build quality is immediately apparent. Every panel gap is tight, the flush door handles retract smoothly, and the active grille shutters add a techy touch. At just under 4,830 mm long, it feels perfectly sized for navigating tight urban streets without sacrificing presence.

Design and Exterior

The design DNA clearly comes from the 11, but everything feels more purposeful at this size. The F-shaped LED headlights with the illuminated logo up front give it a distinctive face, and those 21-inch wheels fill the arches beautifully. Sensors everywhere: six front, six rear, cameras all around.

The optional camera side mirrors are the real talking point. They replace traditional glass with sleek pods that improve aerodynamics, and the feed is displayed on screens flanking the dashboard. They look futuristic and the image quality is genuinely excellent, but more on the practical implications later.

Interior and Tech

Step inside and the 81% soft-touch material coverage is immediately noticeable. Everywhere your hands naturally land is padded and premium. The 35.4-inch 4K display bar stretching across the dash is stunning, paired with a 15.6-inch centre touchscreen running Huawei's mapping system.

The Meridian 25-speaker setup with 7.1.4 channel audio sounds promising, though I didn't get extended listening time. The optional Gravity Seat with nappa leather reclines to 120 degrees and includes five massage modes with three intensity levels and 16-direction airflow. Rear passengers get electric seat adjustment, sliding, reclining, heated seats, and electric privacy blinds. Double-layer coated glass and extensive sound deadening material make the cabin remarkably quiet.

Driving Experience

This is where the 07 genuinely surprised me. Having driven the 11 and finding it uncomfortably wallowy, I was bracing for a similar experience. Instead, the 07 delivered noticeably better body control. The air suspension with CDC electric dampers adjusting 100 times per second keeps things composed, and during high-speed lane changes at around 140 km/h, the body roll was impressively contained.

The dual-motor setup with 590 horsepower provides absurd acceleration. Even pressing the throttle about 20% in Comfort mode sent me rocketing past 100 km/h almost instantly. Sport mode sharpens throttle response dramatically and adds roughly 10-15% more weight to the steering. The brake pedal deserves special praise: it feels natural and progressive, unlike the spongy, artificial feel in many EVs.

Above 80 km/h, there's still some gentle float, a mild ocean-liner sensation. It's not the planted feel of a European sport sedan, but it's a massive improvement over the 11. For a premium comfort-oriented EV, this is acceptable.

Camera Mirrors: Brilliant but Challenging

The optional digital side mirrors are technically impressive. The frame rate is smooth, clarity is excellent in both daylight and darkness, and you get three zoom levels from tight to ultra-wide. Blind spot warnings still work perfectly, illuminating on screen.

However, I'll be honest: after an entire drive session, I still wasn't fully adjusted. My eyes kept instinctively darting to where traditional mirrors would be. Judging distance during lane changes felt uncertain because you lose the depth perception that reflected images provide. And if the tiny external lens gets dirty, the image blurs, as I noticed on the left side during my evening drive. If you commit to these, budget some adjustment time.

The Yoke Question

The flat-top, flat-bottom steering wheel looks great but has a practical issue. When glancing with peripheral vision, you genuinely cannot tell if the wheel is straight or slightly turned. You have to look at a small indicator at the bottom. It's light and easy to spin in Comfort mode, which is nice for parking, but at speed I found myself wanting more tactile feedback about the wheel's centre position.

Final Verdict

The Avatr 07 is a legitimate premium EV that addresses the biggest complaint about its bigger sibling. The suspension is dramatically better, the interior quality is genuinely impressive, and the tech loadout is generous. The camera mirrors are a fascinating option but come with a real learning curve, and the yoke steering takes getting used to.

If you want a luxurious, tech-forward EV that prioritises comfort without the seasickness-inducing body roll, the 07 delivers. Just make sure you test drive it yourself, especially if you're considering the camera mirror option, because that's a lifestyle change, not just a feature upgrade.