AIWAYS U5 is the maiden mass-production model from AIWAYS, underpinned by the brand's proprietary, ground-up MAS (More Adaptable Structure) all-electric platform. Officially launched in Wanning, Hainan on 19 December 2019, the vehicle is positioned as an A+-segment mid-to-high-end fully electric SUV. Boasting a minimalist high-tech aesthetic, a commodious cabin enabled by an extra-long wheelbase, and innovative tech such as the "dry-wet separated" sandwich battery pack, the AIWAYS U5 shouldered the dual mission of establishing the brand and spearheading market expansion. Aimed primarily at family buyers with an emphasis on smart connectivity and EU-certified build quality, it was among the pioneering models from China’s new wave of EV startups to achieve large-scale exports to the European Union. As of May 2026, the AIWAYS U5 has seen several model year updates, offering NEDC operating ranges of 405 km, 503 km, and 600 km depending on battery capacity. However, owing to the company's severe financial headwinds, the model has effectively ceased production, with dealers rolling out heavy clearance discounts across retail channels between 2025 and 2026.
Positioned as an A+-segment fully electric SUV for families, the AIWAYS U5 counts its dedicated MAS EV platform, class-transcending 2,800 mm wheelbase, smart digital cockpit, and Euro-spec export quality as key selling points. Its primary rivals include the XPENG G3, WM Motor EX5, and BYD Song Pro EV. When first launched in 2019, four variants were offered, with post-subsidy prices ranging from RM197,900 to RM292,100. The 2021 update expanded the line-up with three NEDC range options—405 km, 503 km, and 600 km—at lower post-subsidy prices between RM166,900 and RM249,900. According to official specifications, on top of the base 503 km range, buyers could option a factory-backed "Range Energy Pack" (an auxiliary 18 kWh battery housed in a dedicated boot compartment) to bump the combined NEDC range up to 623 km. The entire range runs a single front-mounted motor driving the front wheels, tuned primarily for urban commuting.
The AIWAYS U5 adopts a "minimalist intelligent aesthetic" design philosophy, penned under the creative direction of renowned stylist Ken Okuyama, famed for designing the Ferrari Enzo. Up front, it sports the signature flush, grille-less fascia of modern EVs, ditching the traditional radiator grille in favour of linear light-guide LED headlights, a full-width light bar at the rear, and a continuous 360-degree shoulder line to embody an authentic pure-EV look. Sharp character lines grace the flanks, complemented by a two-tone paint scheme, floating roof design, and flush pop-out door handles to deliver a sleek, elongated silhouette. Dimensions-wise, the U5 measures 4,680 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,700 mm in height, riding on a generous 2,800 mm wheelbase that places it squarely within mid-size SUV territory.
Inside, the cabin takes cues from a "mobile living room" concept, utilising a floating centre console, two-tone colourway, and eco-friendly upholstery to cultivate a homey, welcoming ambience. The cabin's standout feature is the tri-fold digital instrument cluster (4.2-inch + 7.0-inch + 4.2-inch), which splits driving data, navigation, and tyre pressure readouts across three screens to deliver a spaceship-like cockpit display. Sitting prominently on the dashboard is a 12.3-inch floating central touchscreen that consolidates navigation, climate control, and a 360-degree parking camera. Notably, the traditional glove compartment on the passenger side has been replaced by an open modular "Co-Creation Space", allowing owners to fit custom accessories like air purifiers or external speakers—a unique design novelty of the car.
The AIWAYS U5 is powered across the range by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor driving the front wheels. Early 2019 models produced 140 kW (around 190 PS) and 315 N·m of torque, whereas the 2021 and subsequent updates saw outputs revised to 150 kW (around 204 PS) and 310 N·m. The century sprint from 0-100 km/h is accomplished in 7.6 seconds, en route to a top speed of 160 km/h. It dispatches 0-50 km/h in 3.8 seconds, delivering brisk low-end throttle response ideal for stop-and-go city traffic.
On the energy storage front, the U5 utilises CATL-supplied ternary lithium (NCM) battery packs across various capacities: 53 kWh, 63 kWh, 65 kWh, and 72 kWh. These correspond to NEDC rated ranges of 405 km, 503 km, and 600 km, with an average energy consumption of around 13.8 kWh/100 km. Charging-wise, DC fast charging (via an 80 kW charger) takes the battery to 80% in 30 minutes, whereas standard AC slow charging takes roughly 11 hours. The battery pack is backed by an 8-year or 150,000-km warranty. Another notable technical feature is the optional factory "AI-Power Range Energy Pack" —an add-on 18 kWh modular battery pack installed in the boot well that unlocks an additional ~120 km of range, boosting total range to 623 km.
Built on a unibody platform, the AIWAYS U5 adopts a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FF) electric architecture. The suspension comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent setup, aligning with mainstream offerings in this class. The multi-link rear suspension delivers superior wheel articulation and road contact compared to a basic torsion beam, providing reassuring grip through corners. Ride and handling are tuned for compliant comfort with commendable body control: it soaks up road imperfections effortlessly around town, while remaining well-composed with minimal body roll and no floatiness during spirited cornering. Steering duties are handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system offering three switchable assistance levels (Light, Medium, Heavy); while directional accuracy is decent, some reviewers noted a somewhat muted self-centering action and a less communicative helm. Braking hardware includes ventilated front discs and solid rear discs, paired with a standard Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). Rolling on 215/65 R17 tyres, the U5 omits a spare wheel in favour of an onboard tyre repair kit. Three selectable drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Standard/Comfort—are available to suit varying road scenarios and driving styles.
The AIWAYS U5 is configured as a five-door, five-seater SUV measuring 4,680 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,700 mm in height, with a 2,800 mm wheelbase typical of mid-size SUVs. The long wheelbase translates to generous rear legroom over a completely flat floor, complemented by ample headroom all around. Boot capacity is rated at 432 litres in standard configuration, expandable to 1,555 litres with the split-folding rear seats folded flat, comfortably accommodating family road trips and bulky cargo.
Smart cabin tech is a signature highlight of the U5. Infotainment is driven by AIWAYS' proprietary "AI-OS Smart Operating System" , accessed via the 12.3-inch central screen that bundles satellite navigation, multimedia, air conditioning, and vehicle parameters. The onboard "Xiao Chi" voice assistant supports wake-up-free commands, continuous dialogue, and dual-zone acoustic localisation for the front occupants. Top-tier variants add high-tech goodies such as AI facial recognition, in-cabin biometric monitoring, and smart home integration. In front of the driver, the bespoke tri-fold digital instrument cluster displays ADAS information on the centre panel, flanked by trip data, energy consumption, and navigation on either side. Standard comfort features across the board include dual-zone climate control, rear air vents, a leather multi-function steering wheel, keyless entry with push-button start, and a reverse camera. On the environmental health front, the U5 cabin is 100% bitumen-free, utilising water-based sprayed acrylic resin dampeners in place of traditional asphalt mats, resulting in VOC emission levels well below segment benchmarks for cleaner cabin air.
The AIWAYS U5 comes comprehensively equipped in terms of active and passive safety. Structure-wise, it employs a high-strength eight-ring cage body structure utilizing military-grade materials and structural bonding techniques; crash data shows virtually zero passenger cell cabin intrusion under high-speed impacts, yielding an occupant protection rating of over 90% (comfortably surpassing the 85% requirement for a C-NCAP 5-star rating). A full six-airbag suite—comprising front dual airbags, front side airbags, and full-length curtain airbags—comes standard across the line-up. On the battery safety front, the U5 pioneered a patented "sandwich" dry-wet separated battery pack that isolates the battery cells from the liquid cooling plate, preventing short circuits or thermal runaway in the event of coolant leaks, aided by an intelligent BMS and dual-circuit liquid cooling.
Active safety and ADAS capabilities are managed by the AI-Pilot driver assistance system. Its sensor suite comprises 12 ultrasonic sensors, 5 HD cameras, 3 millimetre-wave radars, and 2 interior cameras—a total of 22 sensors. Key features include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC with Stop & Go up to 150 km/h), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Highway Assist (HWA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB with vehicle and pedestrian detection), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), delivering Level 2+ (L2+) semi-autonomous driving. For effortless parking, the AI-Parking suite supports full automated parking assist (APA) with hands-free and pedal-free automated park-in and park-out functionality.
On the independent crash safety front, the AIWAYS U5 was put through the Euro NCAP crash tests in late 2019, managing only a disappointing 3-star rating (out of 5 stars). It scored 73% for Adult Occupant Protection, 70% for Child Occupant Protection, and a modest 55% for Safety Assist. Points were primarily deducted due to poor driver dummy head protection in the side pole test (scoring 0 points) and sub-par speed limit sign detection within the speed assistance system. This result dealt a blow to the U5's initial market reputation across Europe.
The market reception of the AIWAYS U5 was a classic case of "finding more favour abroad than at home" . In its domestic Chinese market, the U5 struggled for traction as the first offering from a second-tier EV startup. Annual domestic sales in 2022 amounted to just 753 units, and fewer than 200 units were shifted between January and April 2023, leaving it sidelined in a hyper-competitive market. Low brand equity and an underdeveloped dealership network severely hampered its visibility among local consumers.
In stark contrast, the U5 enjoyed an encouraging initial run overseas. In May 2020, an initial shipment of 500 Euro-spec AIWAYS U5 units set sail for France, marking the brand's European debut. By early 2026, the U5 had expanded its footprint across 20 international markets, including Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Israel, and Italy. In September 2022, monthly exports hit an all-time high of 719 units. Performance was especially stellar in Israel, where the U5 broke into the top three best-selling EVs within a year of launch, peaking in July 2022 with 522 units exported in a single month—a single-country record for the marque. Notably, AIWAYS was the first Chinese EV startup to export vehicles to the EU in significant volumes, establishing a European sales and R&D hub in Munich, Germany, alongside a research facility in Denmark.
Owner reviews and market feedback have been largely mixed. Praises were directed at the cavernous cabin courtesy of the 2,800 mm wheelbase, clean exterior styling, futuristic tri-fold digital dashboard, and solid chassis composure. Many owners felt that its cabin practicality and ride refinement exceeded expectations for an EV newcomer. On the flip side, drawbacks were equally prominent: the 3-star Euro NCAP crash rating raised safety question marks early on . Furthermore, the infotainment software lacked slickness, suffering from noticeable input lag, while ADAS calibration logic left room for refinement. From an operational perspective, AIWAYS Auto plunged into financial turmoil from 2023 onwards, plagued by supplier payment defaults, production halts, and a shrinking after-sales network. The follow-up AIWAYS U6 was hampered by supply chain bottlenecks and failed to enter smooth mass delivery even well into 2023. Although AIWAYS secured emergency funding in July 2023 to keep core engineering and export functions afloat, overseas deliveries were crippled by supply shortages, leading to sporadic order cancellations. With operations grinding to a halt, the AIWAYS U5 has all but exited the Chinese domestic market, surviving merely through sporadic export orders and clearing remaining inventory.
All in all, as AIWAYS' debut offering, the AIWAYS U5 demonstrated genuine intent and technical ingenuity through its 2,800 mm class-exceeding wheelbase, dedicated MAS EV platform, smart cabin features, and European homologation. The contrast between its lacklustre domestic sales and overseas breakthrough highlights both the export potential for Chinese automakers and the critical importance of supply chain resilience, brand presence, and after-sales backing. While AIWAYS currently finds itself in deep waters, the U5 remains a noteworthy chapter in automotive history as one of the earliest Chinese pure-electric pioneers to break into the European market.
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