The WEY 03 is a compact plug-in hybrid SUV from WEY, positioned as a premium intelligent new energy vehicle tailored for global family buyers. Marketed domestically in China as the "Latte DHT-PHEV", it is officially designated as the WEY 03 across international export markets. On 22 November 2023, the WEY Latte PHEV (WEY 03) officially made its European debut across three variants priced at €47,990, €51,990, and €56,990 (approximately RM370,000, RM400,000, and RM440,000 respectively), placing it directly in line with established European luxury models. Serving as GWM’s spearhead in Europe under its high-spec strategy, the WEY 03 stands out with its class-above hardware (including an expansive 34 kWh battery pack) and highly competitive pricing—the range-topping variant is priced €6,500 (approx. RM52,000) below an equivalent Volkswagen Tiguan PHEV, whilst adding 15 extra features including Level 2+ driver assistance systems and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
In terms of dimensions, the WEY 03 measures 4,668 mm long, 1,890 mm wide, and 1,730 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,745 mm. Configured as a five-door, five-seater SUV, its kerb weight ranges from 2,110 kg to 2,335 kg depending on the trim. Standard boot space is rated at 485 litres, expanding to 1,230 litres with the rear seats folded flat—providing ample practicality for bulky items such as strollers and folding bicycles. In the compact PHEV SUV segment, its wheelbase is particularly generous, exceeding several key competitors by 50 to 80 mm to afford superior rear legroom.
The exterior of the WEY 03 adopts the brand's signature "Coffee Series" design language, highlighted by full-width styling accents and an imposing chrome front grille that deliver a bold, sophisticated, and recognisable road presence. Sharp LED headlamps provide a distinctive visual signature, while clean side body contours paired with 19-inch or 21-inch alloy wheels (variant-dependent) amplify its athletic and upmarket stance. The rear design is sleek and orderly, featuring full-width tail lamp clusters that mirror the front lighting setup. With its well-proportioned silhouette and taut surfacing, the SUV exhibits a cohesive premium aesthetic. During European road assessments, test units drew repeated interest and enquiries from onlookers, demonstrating the strong visual appeal of its design.
Inside, the WEY 03 leans heavily into a "tech-luxury" theme with a clean, uncluttered dashboard architecture. The cockpit features a fully digital LCD instrument cluster alongside a large central infotainment touchscreen (measuring up to 16 inches on higher-spec trims), paired with an electronic shift-by-wire gear selector to reinforce its tech-forward ambiance. Premium soft-touch materials are applied generously throughout the cabin, complemented by genuine leather upholstery and multiple interior colourway options. Multi-function steering wheel controls carry subtle Scandinavian styling cues reminiscent of Volvo, while the dual digital displays deliver comprehensive driving telemetry. Overall, the cabin fit and finish of the WEY 03 rank among the best in its price class.
The WEY 03 offers two plug-in hybrid powertrains pairing 1.5T and 2.0T turbocharged petrol engines with electric drive motors. The 1.5T variant employs a 1.5-litre turbo four-cylinder engine producing 115 kW (approx. 156 PS) and 235 Nm of torque. In front-wheel drive (FWD) guise, it features a single front-mounted electric motor (130 kW / 300 Nm) for a combined system output of 245 kW; the all-wheel drive (AWD) variant adopts a dual-motor layout (130 kW/300 Nm front, 135 kW/232 Nm rear), delivering a total electric motor output of 265 kW and 532 Nm. The 2.0T variant uses a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine generating 150 kW (approx. 204 PS), paired with dual electric motors (120 kW front, 135 kW rear) for a combined motor output of 255 kW. Alternative specifications indicate that the 2.0T version produces a combined 367 PS (163 PS engine + 163 PS front motor), with the rear motor supplying an additional 184 PS for a total system output of up to 442 PS.
In terms of acceleration, the official 0–100 km/h sprint time for the 1.5T AWD variant is 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h; the 2.0T AWD variant accomplishes the 0–100 km/h dash in 5.3 seconds and tops out at 230 km/h. Overseas media instrumented tests recorded a 0–100 km/h sprint in just 4.7 seconds in hybrid mode and 100–180 km/h in 9.6 seconds, highlighting exceptionally strong in-gear acceleration.
For energy storage, the WEY 03 is equipped with a 34 kWh ternary lithium battery pack supplied by SVOLT. On the WLTC cycle, pure electric range is rated at 184 km for the FWD variant and 155 km / 136 km for the AWD variants, while the WLTP pure electric range is rated at 130–136 km (AWD). It supports 50 kW DC fast charging, taking 29 to 38 minutes to charge from 0% to 80% SoC, while 11 kW AC charging takes between 3.2 and 5 hours for a full top-up. Combined fuel consumption under WLTC testing is remarkably low at 0.48–0.73 L/100 km.
Under the skin, the WEY 03 utilises front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup, available in either front-wheel drive or electric all-wheel drive configurations. Braking is handled by ventilated discs up front and solid discs at the rear, paired with an electronic parking brake (EPB). Tyre sizes range from 235/55 R19 on the 1.5T variant to 265/45 R21 on the 2.0T model. The chassis setup leans towards a firmer, sporty feel, delivering agile turn-in during spirited cornering and stable rear tracking during quick lane changes; the suspension offers reassuring damping over mid-to-high speed undulations, settling rebound movements in a single stroke while keeping body roll and pitch well in check. Test drivers noted that the chassis performs admirably, combining the solid road-holding of a monocoque build with effective bump absorption on unpaved surfaces, filtering out harsh vibrations. However, some reviews pointed out that steering feedback feels somewhat muted with slightly indirect inputs, and body lean remains noticeable under hard cornering. Overall, the WEY 03's chassis strikes a well-judged balance between everyday ride comfort and composed road manners.
The WEY 03’s cabin is designed with equal focus on smart connectivity and passenger comfort. The dashboard houses a full LCD digital instrument cluster and a large central touchscreen—reaching 16 inches on higher-end grades—to deliver an intuitive infotainment interface. The multimedia system supports HiCar 4.0 and ICCOA Carlink, bridging ecosystems from Huawei, Xiaomi, OPPO, and vivo to seamlessly mirror smartphone navigation and multimedia applications. Wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity is smooth and reliable, the voice assistant supports continuous dialogue commands, and the onboard navigation integrates live traffic light countdown timers and real-time congestion chat rooms.
In terms of convenience and comfort, higher-spec models feature a 12-speaker Infinity (Harman) premium audio system that delivers rich, punchy bass and an immersive acoustic experience. Additional equipment includes a 360-degree surround-view camera (with excellent low-light clarity), powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof, automatic LED headlamps, and rain-sensing wipers, blending everyday utility with a premium touch. The seats are wrapped in genuine leather with electric adjustment for the front seats; the rear cabin offers generous legroom, effective climate control, and impressive NVH noise suppression, ensuring a quiet, comfortable environment for long-distance family road trips. That said, overseas owners have reported a noticeable initial new-car plastic odour upon delivery, which dissipated after roughly 5,000 km of driving.
Safety is a primary pillar of the WEY 03's value proposition. Built with a high-rigidity safety cage structure, it is equipped with a comprehensive airbag system and ISOFIX child seat anchor points, providing solid passenger protection for family travel. On the active safety front, the WEY 03 features an extensive suite including AEB Junction Assist, Emergency Steer Assist (ESS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Rear Seat Vital Signs Monitoring.
For intelligent driving, the WEY 03 is equipped with an advanced ADAS suite supporting Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving capabilities. The sensor setup on flagship variants can be optioned with dual 125-line LiDAR units, 5 millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 12 cameras, utilising multi-sensor fusion algorithms to accurately interpret complex urban traffic scenarios. In ADAC testing, the lane keep assist and speed limit warning systems were observed to be overly sensitive, triggering frequent chimes that can nonetheless be manually switched off; the driver monitoring camera on the A-pillar is also relatively prominent, which some European drivers found intrusive. Regular over-the-air (OTA) updates continually refine the driving aids, with its City Navigation on Highway (City NOH) system capable of handling complex merge ramps, temporary obstructions, and intricate urban driving environments. To date, WEY's driver assistance systems have logged over 243 million kilometres globally, with its AEB system helping drivers avoid some 94,000 potential collisions.
The WEY 03 is a cornerstone model in GWM’s international expansion roadmap. Following its European launch in November 2023, its pricing strategy took direct aim at mainstream European luxury SUVs, with its €47,990 entry price placing it in the same bracket as established premium rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC. Europe's leading motoring organisation, ADAC, conducted a thorough 12-month endurance evaluation of the WEY 03. Over 20,000 km of real-world driving, ADAC engineers commended its electric range accuracy, powertrain refinement, and generous equipment levels, highlighting that its tested pure electric range (achieving up to 165 km) outperformed the Mercedes-Benz GLC 400 e 4Matic (123 km), with its 11 kW AC and 50 kW DC charging capabilities providing a convenient charging experience.
However, the ADAC endurance trial also uncovered several reliability concerns: following dynamic cornering exercises, the test vehicle experienced multiple powertrain stalls and throttle response loss alongside a "Hybrid System Fault" warning on the instrument cluster—an issue ultimately traced to a mismatch between replacement parking sensors in the bumper and the ECU's expected parameters. Furthermore, a firm low-speed ride over broken urban roads and throttled battery performance in extreme cold (-10°C) were also cited as areas for refinement. In China, overall sales for the WEY brand have faced headwinds in recent years—annual sales in 2024 totalled only 54,700 units, representing a 21.3% year-on-year decline; while volumes rebounded slightly in 2025, market competition remains fierce. Nonetheless, armed with a class-leading 34 kWh battery, dual-motor AWD, and Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving at a price point well below German rivals, the WEY 03 represents an important benchmark for Chinese automakers seeking to establish an upmarket presence globally.
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