Family dad car, eπ008 and Leapmotor C16, which one is the better replacement for Ideal L8

In the Chinese car market, what car can you buy with a budget of less than 200,000 yuan?

In the era of fuel vehicles, you can only buy a compact SUV like Honda CR-V, and that’s a low-end version. But in the era of new energy vehicles, the choices are much greater.

Today we will look at two cars that have attracted much attention: Dongfeng Yipai eπ008 and Leapmotor C16. Both cars are medium and large SUVs, but the former is priced at 216,600 yuan and the latter is priced at 155,800-185,800 yuan. We selected the top-equipped 2024 extended-range 200 Intelligent Driving version of Leapmotor C16 priced at 179,800 yuan to compare with the eπ008 2024 210 Max extended-range version to see which one is a better replacement for Ideal L8. After all, at almost half the price, you can experience a large-space "daddy car" comparable to L8.

Let's first look at the performance of the two cars in terms of appearance. At present, the mainstream new energy vehicles in China have obvious homogeneity in design, and their appearances are highly similar. eπ008 and Leapmotor C16 belong to this situation. Both use closed front faces and through-type light strips. The styles are relatively similar, and it is difficult to say which car is more attractive.

But one thing is certain, they are more refined and younger than the joint venture fuel SUVs of the past.

The "similarities" of the two cars are also reflected in the interiors. Both use large-size central control screens, and most of the physical buttons are omitted. At the same time, the traditional gear levers are cancelled and replaced with hand-held gear shift mechanisms. This is a relatively popular interior layout at present. It does look more technological, but for more traditional users, they may also feel bare.

In other words, the two cars are equally matched in terms of appearance and design. It is difficult to decide which car to choose based on the appearance and interior alone. If you want to choose between the two cars, you also have to look at their specific performance.

Let’s first look at the performance of the two cars in terms of size. It is well known that Chinese people like big cars. In this regard, the gap between the two cars is quite obvious.

The Dongfeng eπ008 has a body length of 5002mm, a width of 1972mm and a wheelbase of 3025mm, meeting the standard of "5-meter length and 3-meter wheelbase", and is a medium-to-large SUV in the standard sense; the Leapmotor C16 has a body length of 4915mm, a width of 1905mm and a wheelbase of 2825mm. In simple terms, it is smaller than the Dongfeng eπ008.

The difference in size brings two different experiences to consumers.

The eπ008 is larger and more slender, with a more stunning visual effect and a higher sense of class. Secondly, both cars adopt a 6-seat layout, but the wheelbase of the eπ008 is 20cm longer than that of the Leapmotor C16, and the legroom and trunk space are better. When you enter the Leapmotor C16 from the eπ008, you may feel a bit cramped.

However, in terms of intelligent driving, eπ008 has obvious disadvantages.

Both eπ008 and Leapmotor C16 provide L2-level driving assistance functions. Conventional assistance functions such as active braking, lane departure warning, fatigue driving reminder, lane change assistance, lane keeping assist system, automatic parking, etc. are all available on these two cars.

However, it should be noted that the eπ008 adopts a laser radar-free intelligent driving solution, while the Leapmotor C16 is equipped with a 128-line high-end laser radar. In addition to conventional functions, it also provides automatic driving functions on highways, and can automatically change lanes and enter and exit ramps, which is something the eπ008 cannot do.

Here we can also see some essential differences between eπ008 and Leapmotor C16. Dongfeng eπ008 is produced by a traditional automobile manufacturer and is still slightly lacking in intelligence. This difference is not only reflected in intelligent driving, but also in the intelligent cockpit.

The so-called smart cockpit mainly brings entertainment functions, Internet ecology and intelligent voice. Looking at the book strength alone, eπ008 and Leapmotor C16 can be said to be on par, but when you actually experience it, you will find that Leapmotor C16 is better.

The reason is simple. The eπ008 is equipped with Qualcomm 8155 chip, while the Leapmotor C16 is equipped with Qualcomm 8295P, which has a much higher computing power. At the same time, Leapmotor, as a first-line brand of new car-making forces, has always emphasized intelligence, so it also has advantages in large-screen fluency, Internet ecological content and other aspects.

Finally, let’s take a look at the power system. Both Dongfeng eπ008 and Leapmotor C16 use extended-range electric systems. So which car has a stronger power system?

The eπ008 is equipped with a 1.5T engine with a maximum power of 108kW as a range extender, and a rear single motor with a maximum power of 200kW. The pure electric range under CLTC conditions is 210km, and the comprehensive range under full fuel and full charge is 1,300km.

The Leapmotor C16 is equipped with a 1.5L engine with a maximum power of 70kW as a range extender, and a rear single motor with a maximum power of 170kW. The pure electric range under CLTC conditions is 200km, and the range under full fuel and full charge conditions reaches 1095km.

Obviously, eπ008 has made a comeback in terms of power system. It has stronger power, larger battery, and better endurance.

Overall, the performance of eπ008 and Leapmotor C16 are both good, but they focus on different aspects. eπ008 is better at the three-electric system and space performance, which are also valued by traditional car manufacturers; while the advantage of Leapmotor C16 lies in intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit, which are the main selling points of new car manufacturers.

Interestingly, both eπ008 and Leapmotor C16 were launched in June this year, but the monthly sales of the former hovered around 3,000 units, while the monthly sales of Leapmotor C16 exceeded 8,000 units, a significant gap. In addition, the price of eπ008 has been reduced by more than 25,000 yuan, and the actual prices of the two cars are almost the same, but consumers still prefer Leapmotor C16.

This seems to indicate that consumers at the current stage pay more attention to the intelligent performance when buying cars, and are willing to ignore the shortcomings of a car in terms of space because of its advantages in intelligence.

Of course, power, range and space are also very important, especially for family users, they will have a higher priority. Therefore, which car is more worth buying depends on your actual needs.

As a winner of Toutiao's Qingyun Plan and Baijiahao's Bai+ Plan, the 2019 Baidu Digital Author of the Year, the Baijiahao's Most Popular Author in the Technology Field, the 2019 Sogou Technology and Culture Author, and the 2021 Baijiahao Quarterly Influential Creator, he has won many awards, including the 2013 Sohu Best Industry Media Person, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Beijing Third Place, the 2015 Guangmang Experience Award, the 2015 China New Media Entrepreneurship Competition Finals Third Place, and the 2018 Baidu Dynamic Annual Powerful Celebrity.