Buick has introduced a major new model to China’s luxury market. The Electra Encasa is a new MPV that immediately becomes the flagship of Buick’s lineup. It is the first MPV from the premium Electra sub-brand and represents the sixth generation of the brand’s hugely successful GL8 series.
Positioning and Pricing
Classified as a mid-to-large MPV, the Electra Encasa is built on the Xiaoyao “super fusion” architecture. This premium positioning is reflected in its pricing.
The Premium Edition starts at approximately $67,800 / €62,600 / ₹5,660,000, while the Luxury Edition is priced at around $72,900 / €67,300 / ₹6,090,000. These prices correspond to the original Chinese pricing of RMB 439,900 and RMB 469,900 respectively, converted into US dollars, euros, and Indian rupees.
Exterior Design and Dimensions
The Electra Encasa abandons the traditional grille used on combustion-engine cars in favor of a smooth, closed front fascia. This clean surface draws attention to the advanced headlights, which offer seven adaptive lighting modes for broad, bright coverage and a long-range beam.
From the side, the MPV has an imposing, elegant stance. A single straight waistline begins at the headlights and runs uninterrupted to the rear, where it meets a distinctive taillight assembly featuring 257 ultra-red LEDs. As a large MPV, its proportions are generous: the Encasa is 5.26 meters long, 2.02 meters wide, and 1.83 meters high, with a 3.16-meter wheelbase that promises a spacious cabin.
Intelligent Driving and Sensor Suite
The Electra Encasa uses Buick’s Xiaoyao Intelligent Drive advanced driver-assistance system. At its core is Qualcomm’s latest SA8775P chip, providing 72 TOPS of computing power. The software is driven by Momenta’s R6 “flywheel large model” algorithm, enabling urban NOA (Navigation on Autopilot) functions.
To support these features, the MPV relies on a comprehensive sensor package. It includes one long-range LiDAR unit, three millimeter-wave radars, twelve ultrasonic sensors for parking and low-speed maneuvers, and eleven high-definition cameras. Even when the driver is distracted, the vehicle’s hardware is continuously monitoring the surroundings.
Interior and In-Car Entertainment
The cabin is designed to feel more like a private cinema than a traditional car interior. At the front, three integrated displays stretch across the dashboard: a 10.25‑inch digital instrument cluster for the driver, and two 16.3‑inch screens—one for central controls and another for the front passenger.
Rear passengers are equally well catered for. The back cabin is equipped with a 21‑inch 4K smart display for media. The two main seats in the second row each feature a 5.5‑inch control screen, used to operate seat adjustments, climate settings, the onboard refrigerator, and personalized rest modes. The system supports Bluetooth microphones and connections for gaming consoles, while audio is delivered through a high-end Bose sound system.
Powertrain: PHEV First, Pure EV to Follow
At launch, the Electra Encasa is offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This version pairs a 1.5‑liter turbocharged gasoline engine, producing 132 kW of power, with electric motors in what Buick calls the “True Dragon” hybrid system. Energy is stored in an LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery, enabling pure-electric driving for shorter daily trips, while the combustion engine provides extended range for longer journeys.
Buick will later introduce a fully electric variant with all-wheel drive, using a dual-motor configuration. A 200 kW (268 hp) motor powers the front axle and a 130 kW (174 hp) motor drives the rear. Both are supplied by an LFP battery pack from CATL, available in two capacities that deliver either 601 km or 632 km of range on a full charge, according to local testing standards.
