Aion Hyptec HT Luxury 83kWh Review

Car doors are not always merely functional gateways that separate one from the cabin and the environment outside. They're sometimes also extremely ostentatious show pieces to denote that one is driving a truly special machine. Just ask Rolls-Royce. Or McLaren. Or naturally, Lamborghini.

Admittedly, these all belong in the realm of the hyper-luxurious and hyper-exclusive. Cars that are more accessible to the everyman crowd, however? These are a bit more lowkey. Unless, of course, they happen to be made by a tech-heavy new brand from China keen on making an indelible mark on an increasingly crowded EV scene. 

Raising the roof to stand out

A combination of the words 'hyper' and 'technology', Hyptec marks the latest in a growing sea of premium offshoots - built on the strong base of a (relatively) established brand but with its crosshairs trained further upmarket.

Toyota has Lexus, BYD has DENZA, and in kind, Hyptec can be regarded as the Silicon Valley-raised sibling to GAC Aion that might prefer leather loafers over good old sneakers, or shopping at ION Orchard over just any mall in the heartlands.

Nothing turns heads quite like a bright orange SUV with gullwing doors

There's nothing that turns heads quite as instantly as a large, bright orange SUV - much less one that announces its presence by heaving its rear doors skywards, as if preparing for lift-off. (More on this a bit later.) 

Phones are whipped out in an instant. Whoever is within a 25-metre radius does not make an attempt to hide their bewilderment. In fact, at one of our shoot locations, we engage in a five-minute conversation with two friendly old chaps - excited grandkids in tow - explaining who the brand is and where it's from. 

Bright paintwork and atypical doors aside, however, the HT would blend quite easily into a crowd (perfect for those seeking more anonymity) - with its only true distinctive design cue being its three-piece diamond-shaped taillmaps

But its loud paintwork (not a standard offering, by the way) and mechanical party trick aside, the HT's basic design would make it blend more quietly into a crowd. 

Don't mistake this for a lack of physical presence - the HT is more than 4.93 metres long and 1.92 metres wide, riding on 20-inch wheels shorn in fat 245/50 profile tyres. Still, there's something about the shape of its head lamps that feels rather mid-2010s Porsche; something about its general bulbousness that feels quite Tesla Model Y (or X).

Perhaps the only point of distinction is the intriguing combination of a thin light bar at the rear flanked by three diamond-like pieces. Still, the overall impression (given a more subdued colour of course) is one of normalcy - which also means that if one wanted a bit more anonymity when on the move, ticking off the right colour would be half the battle won already. 

Making good on its premium promise

No one, however, is going to be making Tesla comparisons when they step into the HT.

The immediate impression here is one of a luxury sedan or, indeed, a luxury MPV. Grained wood textures meet soft leather; soft leather meets soothing suede. One can appreciate that instead of minimalism, the goal here was of opulent excess. 

Materials used in the cabin feel expensive and are pleasing on the eye; the car's rear bench can also recline further back than those in its competitors

Had Hyptec decided to market the second row as an Italian-made sofa, the comparison would have actually held weight. Covered in quilted Nappa leather, the seat backs are impeccably soft, boasting the sort of suppleness that could make the Germans break out slightly in cold sweat. (Again, the standard interior colours of beige, white and black should allay the fears of those who feel all of orange this is Too Much.)

Claims that the HT was designed to be chauffeur-driven are also lent credence by unique features rarely found in other midsize SUVs: The seats here can recline further backwards than those on competitors, while one of your rear passengers gets a large footrest, and the other, a sturdy foldout table. (Why these are not offered on both sides remains a point of confoundment.) 

Flat floor aside, rear passengers are also treated to more than a metre's worth of legroom, as well as special features including a sturdy tray table behind the driver (pictured) and a large footrest behind the front passenger

The legroom on offer is also fantastic, given the car's long wheelbase. Does anyone use the term 'best-in-segment flatness'? Either way, one gets the sense that the HT could also lay claim to it. Right behind, a cavernous 672-litre boot scores the car solid practicality points.

Here's where we return to those gull-wing doors, though. Technically, all sounds good on paper: They don't actually require lots of space next to the cars alongside (just 340mm) to be deployed since they're tucked vertically inwards to a certain height, before pushing upwards. 12 radar sensors - on each door - also promise to bring them to a stop well before they come into contact with concrete or metal.

The clever mechanism of the HT's gullwing doors means that not a lot of space is actually required on the side to be deployed; 12 radar sensors on each door also ensure that you shouldn't be brushing metal or concrete in any circumstance. Still, some level of anxiety remains when deploying them in tight spaces

Still, the traditional mind not attuned to gullwing doors presents its own fears in smaller multi-storey carparks. On our four-day drive, passengers wound up alighting at roomier drop-off points. Only an owner living with the car over a longer term could truly tell you how life with these doors pans out.

But back now to the interior: If the rear bench is an Italian sofa, the two front seats are exquisite thrones fit for royalty, boasting massage functions and both heating and ventilation.

Ventilated and heated seats (with a 'Smart' subfunction that alters the settings based on ambient temperature) are offered as standard, as are massage functions

On one particularly wet day, the HT is turned into an oasis of rest for a good 40 minutes: Raindrops visibly and audibly hitting the glass roof; the massaging intensity for 'Waist Relax' set to its highest; and a moody Spotify playlist filled with atmospheric pop ballads blaring from the car’s 22-speaker (!) Dolby Atmos sound system. It's hard to imagine doing this at such length, and with such opulence in just any SUV, though a persisting Aion-specific bugbear is the lack of wireless phone mirroring. (The brand has stated that this should be mitigated in the future with over-the-air updates).

On that note, the HT is not without your modern (Chinese) EV trappings. 

A 22-speaker Dolby Atmos sound system promises to bring the best out of your playlists. The HT also comes with charming extra features - such as a special relaxation mode that mimics the setting of sitting by a fireplace replete with the sound of firewood crackling and popping

Most notably, it's more screen-heavy and button-light than desired (at least from a millennial driver), though a zealous voice assistant is thankfully on hand to take care of functions like A/C control.

Speaking of the latter, the HT resists the urge to make the driver dive into sub-menus to redirect airflow; there are proper physical vents that shift. Good! Both the wiper/signal and gear stalks are also nicely damped, adding to the sense of quality in the cabin. 

Electric luxe barge

For a self-proclaimed luxury SUV, the HT has the comfort and refinement to match too.

It’s up there with the rest of your cushy electric barges, capable of wafting effortlessly and silently from point to point. Progress is buttery smooth, and noise barely makes its way into the cabin even when cruising at the speed limit (credit is due here too to the laminated glass on the windscreen and front windows). 

There might not be a dual-motor all-wheel drive setup on offer, but the single motor on its rear axle is a powerful one: Capable of a healthy 250kW and 540Nm of instant torque. Those figures are enough to haul all 2.25 tonnes of the HT to the 100km/h mark from a standstill in just 5.8 seconds. 

The HT offers quite a wide range of play with your driving settings - although it remains most in its element as a cushy and effortless electric barge

Amidst the generous range of play for one's desired driving settings, however, the HT doesn't shed its core identity as a car built to cosset rather than thrill the driver. The elevated driving position, softer suspension and sheer mass mean bends are better taken with less gusto. And overall, you're coaxed into a more relaxed manner of driving anyway. 

Still, there's surprising enjoyment to be had from behind the wheel. Even in 'Comfort', the steering has reassuring weight, decent quickness, and good accuracy. This Luxury trim also gets fixed rather than floating callipers paired with disc brakes, and the pedal feels reassuringly linear and predictable as you're bringing the car to a halt - in a manner that many other EVs fail to achieve.

Placing the car on the road is easy too, with the only visibility-gripe being the narrow slit in your rearview mirror, no thanks to the car's tapered coupe-SUV roofline. 

The placement of the octagonal driver's display above the steering wheel actually elevates driving enjoyment, since its positioning almost makes it head-up display-like

With the right DC charger, the state-of-charge of the car's 83kWh battery could go from 10 to 70% in just 15 minutes

Otherwise, the HT rises to the highs expected of a modern EV.

Its 800V architecture means recharging that 83kWh LFP battery from 10 to 70% - equivalent to about 350km worth of range - could take as little as 15 minutes with a 280kW charger. We were on track to clock an impressive real-world range of just over 500km, with quite a heavy right foot.

The HT is also loaded with the full suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including Blind Spot Detection, Traffic Jam Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, and even Lane Keeping Assist. 

Satisfying and compelling either way

For all the, ahem, hype that has surrounded the Hyptec HT's atypical doors, where this electric SUV truly satisfies and wows is with all the qualities it brings to the game just as a midsize electric SUV. 

The 'premium' label in general feels a bit watered down in an era where so many are keen to straddle the line between mass market and luxury. And while there are still things to be ironed out (hearing your voice assistant announce that the fan speed has been "increased by one levels" is slightly jarring in an otherwise polished setup), the HT more than earns its keep.

Even without its gullwing doors, the HT is a compelling electric SUV in today's market that deeply satisfies thanks to its well-built cabin, pleasant drive, and endless tech

It's surprisingly pleasant to pilot for its size, boasts a beautifully-finished cabin, and is loaded with a seemingly inexhaustible level of equipment and tech that could give far more expensive rivals a run for their money. 

Truthfully, the car doesn't need its gullwings to earn the respect of paying folks - and in fact, one might even argue that it's better off without them to those who place practicality over pizzazz. For that, you can turn your attention to the Premium trim, which is $20,000 cheaper and does away with some sense of occasion, but also some level of stress. 

Here are some other midsize electric SUVs in the market to check out!

The futuristic exterior of the XPENG G6 houses a wide sweep of competencies that make it a great electric car for the family

The BYD Sealion 7 combines space and comfort together with more power than you realistically need