The Kaiyi Xuandu is Kaiyi Auto's first compact sports sedan built specifically for the youth demographic. Serving as a crucial sedan model produced at Kaiyi's Yibin Smart Plant, the Xuandu was conceived to penetrate the entry-level sedan segment with high equipment levels and sporty styling, offering budget-conscious buyers seeking individuality a "fresh mobility option".
Positioned as a C-segment compact sedan, the Kaiyi Xuandu measures 4,666 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,483 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. Its core hallmarks are "sporty family sedan" and "high value-for-money". Key highlights include aggressive, sporty styling (featuring a sleek profile and ducktail bootlid spoiler), a roomy cabin, peppy performance from a 1.5T turbocharged engine, and class-leading smart cockpit equipment (such as intelligent voice control and CarPlay connectivity). By marrying Chery's proven powertrain architecture with Kaiyi's youthful brand identity, the Xuandu is designed to carve out a distinct edge in a highly competitive entry-level family car segment.
Official Debut (2021): The Kaiyi Xuandu was officially launched in October 2021. At launch, backed by an ultra-competitive price point (from RM67,800) and dynamic aesthetics, it quickly drew strong interest from younger buyers, securing over 1,000 bookings in its first week and establishing itself as a standout "dark horse" in the brand's sedan line-up.
Product Updates and Lineup Revisions (2022–2025): Over the following years, Kaiyi Auto continuously sharpened the Xuandu's competitiveness by adjusting variant grade specifications and rolling out refreshed cabin trim options, such as a sporty dual-tone red-and-black interior.
Current Status (2026): Moving into 2026, as Kaiyi pivots its core focus toward plug-in hybrids (such as the Kunlun iHD) and pure electric models, the Xuandu's strategic role within the brand has taken a back seat. Industry data from April 2026 indicates that the model has gradually entered the run-out phase of its product life cycle, with sales volumes settling into regular fluctuations.
The Xuandu enjoyed a strong start on the back of its winning formula of "generous space + 1.5T turbo power", successfully capturing a wide base of family buyers who value everyday practicality alongside a sporty edge. However, amid the accelerating shift toward new energy vehicles (NEVs) in the domestic sedan market and constraints on brand visibility, the Xuandu's market share has come under pressure. Sales figures from April 2026 show that its monthly deliveries have moderated to lower levels, with the brand now channelling its resources into higher-demand hybrid and SUV offerings. That said, the Xuandu still retains a solid reputation in the used car market thanks to its respectable resale value and low maintenance costs.
Powertrain: Powered by a Chery-developed 1.5T four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (SQRE4T15C) putting out 115 kW and 230 Nm of torque. Paired with either a 5-speed manual gearbox (MT) or a CVT automatic with simulated 9 virtual ratios, the drivetrain calibration delivers brisk step-off acceleration alongside frugal highway cruising.
Chassis & Suspension: Employs a four-wheel independent suspension system uncommon in its class, striking an effective balance between body roll control during spirited driving and pliant bump absorption over broken city tarmac to improve overall ride refinement.
Smart Infotainment: Fitted with a 10.25-inch floating central touchscreen backed by an intelligent connected system, supporting voice commands, smartphone screen mirroring (CarPlay), and online media streaming to cover the primary connectivity needs of younger motorists.
Safety Architecture: Built on a high-strength steel safety cell structure, the vehicle comes with 6 airbags and incorporates Bosch ESP electronic stability programme, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and a 360° surround-view camera, keeping pace with mainstream active and passive safety standards in its segment.
Currently, Kaiyi Auto has firmly pivoted its product strategy toward new energy vehicles built on its i-FA/i-EA platforms. As a pure petrol sedan, the Xuandu's future role will progressively shift towards that of a "mature, durable daily runabout". With no major facelifts planned, the brand will instead maintain steady supply to serve basic commuting demands in specific regional markets. Moving ahead, Kaiyi's brand equity will centre on hybrid and smart BEV developments, while the Xuandu continues as an honest, utilitarian commuter car that marks an essential step in the brand's electrification journey.
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