Geely now has an economical Preface sedan cheaper than the Lada Vesta

Geely has launched a new Preface i-HEV sedan on the Chinese market with a consumption of 3.98 liters per 100 km and a price starting from 1.2 million rubles - this is noticeably cheaper than the Lada Vesta in Russia.

Prices: economical hybrid is cheaper than Vesta

Geely has opened pre-orders for a new modification of the Preface sedan with an i-HEV hybrid power plant. For the Chinese market, a price corridor has been announced from 107,700 to 119,700 yuan - this is approximately 1.2–1.33 million rubles at the current exchange rate.

Against the background of these figures, the Russian price tag for the Lada Vesta looks especially indicative: versions of the 2026 model year start at 1,581,000 rubles and above. As a result, the new economical Geely hybrid sedan in China turns out to be noticeably cheaper than the base Vesta, despite the more sophisticated technology and rich equipment.

i-HEV powertrain and dynamics

The new version of Preface received a non-rechargeable hybrid i-HEV, combining a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and a traction electric motor. The total power of the installation reaches 313 hp, which brings the sedan to the level of dynamics of many traditional turbo models.

According to Geely, acceleration to 30 km/h takes just 1.84 seconds - about 18% faster than the average plug-in hybrid. Despite the compact battery, the Preface i-HEV is capable of driving only on electric power and accelerating in this mode to 66 km/h, which is approximately 20% higher than usual for such systems.

The stated average fuel consumption is 3.98 liters per 100 kilometers on the WLTC cycle, which makes this modification one of the most economical in its class among non-contact hybrids.

Artificial intelligence in hybrid control

Geely emphasizes that it was possible to achieve such characteristics, including through the use of artificial intelligence elements in the control software of the power plant. The joint operation of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor is adjusted in real time, taking into account a number of factors, including driving style, road situation and even weather conditions.

Algorithms distribute the load between the internal combustion engine and the electrical part so as to minimize fuel consumption and maintain acceleration in city mode. Essentially, the car itself chooses when to be closer to an “electric car” and when to be closer to a traditional gasoline sedan, without requiring complex settings from the driver.

Design, dimensions and equipment

Externally, the hybrid Preface is distinguished by an enlarged radiator grille, slightly redesigned bumpers and new exhaust pipes, which emphasizes the updated status of the i-HEV version. The length of the sedan is 4825 mm with a wheelbase of 2800 mm, which corresponds to the business class format and promises a spacious interior in the second row.

The equipment is in the spirit of modern Chinese models of the upper C/lower D-segment: a media system with two displays with a diagonal of 10.2 and 14.6 inches, the Snapdragon 8155 hardware platform and the Flyme Auto shell, 16 speakers, an air conditioning system with aromatizer, as well as ventilated and heated seats. This set makes the hybrid Preface closer in comfort level to premium models than to traditional “people's” sedans like Vesta.

Prospects and role in the market

Geely previously announced that i-HEV hybrid technology will appear on other models, including the Monjaro and Atlas crossovers familiar to the Russian market. However, the company has not yet specified whether it plans to supply economical hybrid versions of Preface and other models outside of China, including to Russia.

Nevertheless, the appearance of the Preface i-HEV clearly demonstrates the direction of development of the Chinese automobile industry: a combination of high power, very low fuel consumption and rich equipment at a price comparable or even lower than the cost of simple Russian-made gasoline sedans.