The Modern in is the debut mass-production all-electric compact SUV rolled out by Modern Auto. Pitched as a "stylish and intelligent pure electric crossover", it is primarily aimed at younger buyers seeking self-expression and tech-driven driving experiences. The model opened for pre-bookings in May 2021 before its official market launch in November that year, assembled under contract by Beijing Automobile Works (BAW). As of 2026, the lineup on sale mainly comprises 2023 model-year variants, offering two NEDC-rated range options of 420 km and 610 km across 8 variants, with official recommended retail prices ranging from RM128,800 to RM189,800.
Modern Auto was incorporated in 2019, positioning itself around style and smart mobility with a key target demographic of young families aged 25 to 35. Serving as the brand's maiden production vehicle, the Modern in takes on a CUV crossover silhouette measuring 4,473 mm in length, 1,822 mm in width, and 1,538–1,550 mm in height, with a 2,710 mm wheelbase in a 5-door, 5-seater layout. Its aerodynamic drag coefficient has also been honed to boost real-world range. Key selling points include a generous 610 km NEDC range, a standard liquid-cooled and liquid-heated constant-temperature battery thermal management system, a 14.6-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen, and a column-mounted gear selector. Its main rivals include similarly priced electric compact SUVs such as the BYD Yuan PLUS, AION Y, and XPeng G3i.
In terms of market traction, the Modern in remains largely sidelined. According to sales data from Sohu Auto, the crossover logged zero unit sales over a six-month stretch, barely registering any presence in the RM100,000–RM150,000 EV bracket. As an upstart EV player, Modern Auto continues to struggle with brand marketing and dealer network expansion, leaving it with a negligible market share.
The Modern in adopts a crossover-style aesthetic, fusing hatchback, SUV, and coupe proportions for a sleek, minimalist stance. Up front, it features a fully blanked-out grille flanked by "cat-ear" LED headlamp clusters. An LED light bar bridges both headlamps to sketch an "M" motif that mirrors the brand insignia, while the full-width LED daytime running lights enhance its modern fascia and road presence.
Along the flanks, the crossover incorporates a "Sharp Feather" character line that swoops down towards the rear, matched with a floating roofline to deliver a planted, dynamic profile. The overall surfacing is clean, with motoring media noting visual cues reminiscent of the Tesla Model Y. Round the back, a full-width LED taillight bar is paired with a sporty tailgate spoiler for an athletic finish. Five exterior paint options are offered: Magic City Mint Green, Magnolia Porcelain White, Cora Noble Black, Skylight Sapphire Blue, and Damask Banner Red.
Inside, the cabin takes on an ultra-clean, minimalist layout. The dashboard is anchored by a 14.6-inch BOE HD touchscreen (certain entry-level trims can be optioned with a 9-inch unit), while higher-spec grades can be specified with a 9-inch front passenger entertainment display for a dual-screen setup. Notably, the cabin deletes the conventional centre console gear lever in favour of a steering column-mounted stalk, freeing up a flat walkthrough floor between the front seats to maximise cabin room. Instrumentation is handled by an embedded 9-inch full digital cluster featuring a clean UI, albeit with limited readouts. Trims-wise, base variants make do with fabric seats, whereas mid-to-high variants gain synthetic leather upholstery. A sweeping 1.8 m² panoramic glass roof comes standard, letting in ample natural cabin light.
Across the board, the Modern in is driven by a front-mounted single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 120 kW (approx. 163 PS) and 280 Nm of peak torque. It claims a 0–50 km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 160 km/h. While output is on par with a typical low-output 1.5-litre turbo petrol compact SUV for daily driving, its paper figures trail key segment rivals like the AION Y and BYD Yuan PLUS.
For battery options, the crossover offers two capacity variants:
420 km Range Version: Fitted with a 53 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, delivering an NEDC-rated range of 420 km at an energy consumption of 13.9 kWh/100 km. Cells are supplied by Gotion High-Tech.
610 km Range Version: Houses an 80 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, providing up to 610 km of NEDC range. Cells are sourced from CALB.
Charging-wise, all variants come standard with a liquid-cooled and liquid-heated constant-temperature battery thermal management system. On DC fast charging, a 30% to 80% state of charge takes 30 minutes; AC charging times stand at 7.0 hours for the 420 km pack and 7.5 hours for the 610 km pack. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) reverse charging is not offered as standard.
Underneath, the Modern in rides on a front-wheel-drive platform with a suspension layout consisting of front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam. This setup is typical for entry-level mass-market EVs, with the rear torsion beam delivering modest bump compliance on uneven surfaces. Several reviews noted that its "ride damping is strictly average", falling short of the ride composure found in prime rivals.
Braking hardware includes front ventilated discs and rear solid discs (standard solid discs on the 420 km version and solid discs on the 610 km version), paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). Wheels are wrapped in either 205/55 R17 or 225/50 R18 tyres depending on trim. Laden ground clearance is rated at 125 mm, which is adequate for urban speed bumps and road ramps. Three selectable drive modes are available: Sport, Eco, and Standard/Comfort.
The Modern in's digital cockpit is centred around the 14.6-inch floating touchscreen, running on an infotainment platform powered by an NXP i.MX8-series processor. The system supports built-in GPS navigation, Bluetooth telephony, smartphone screen mirroring, 4G connected telematics, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. Voice command capability covers multimedia, navigation, telephony, and climate settings. Entry models get a standard 7-speaker unbranded audio system.
In terms of creature comforts, standard kit across the range includes single-zone automatic air-conditioning, rear AC vents, keyless engine start, and remote vehicle start. Higher-spec variants can be equipped with driver-side keyless entry. A 1.8 m² fixed panoramic glass roof is standard across the range. Seating is upholstered in fabric on base trims and synthetic leather on higher grades, with 60:40 split-folding rear seats expanding boot capacity from 407 litres to 1,160 litres.
Notably, there is a distinct equipment divide across the trim tiers. Base variants settle for basic kit such as steel wheels, a reverse camera, and passive cruise control, whereas range-topping grades offer optional add-ons including a 9-inch passenger display, Adaptive Cruise Control, and Lane Departure Warning.
On the passive safety front, the Modern in employs a high-strength safety cell structure. Official figures state hot-stamped steel accounts for 6.7%, ultra-high-strength steel 20.5%, and high-strength steel 70.8% of the bodyshell. Airbag provisions vary by trim: dual front airbags are standard, while Elite and higher trims add front side airbags and full-length curtain airbags (6 airbags in total). Active electronic systems such as ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) are standard fare.
For advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the Modern in is equipped with the in-house MD Pilot 3.0 suite, operating largely at Level 1 driver assistance. Available features include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC, optional), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB, optional), Forward Collision Warning (FCW, optional), Lane Departure Warning (LDW, optional), and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). Sensor counts are not officially disclosed, though front parking sensors are available as an option on higher-spec trims. Crucially, most Level 2 ADAS features remain optional or reserved for top-spec models, while entry and mid-tier grades make do with conventional cruise control and a reverse camera.
The Modern in's showroom performance presents a stark mismatch with its initial product ambitions. Sohu Auto sales records reveal zero units moved over a recent six-month tracking period, virtually erasing its footprint in the RM100,000–RM150,000 EV sector. Market watchers attribute this lacklustre performance to several structural hurdles:
Weak brand equity remains the biggest hurdle. Founded in 2019, Modern Auto is a latecomer to the EV startup scene, lacking the brand recall and clout commanded by tier-one players like NIO and XPeng. For many buyers, the brand remains completely off the radar.
Contract manufacturing constraints. Modern Auto does not hold an independent manufacturing licence and relies entirely on contract assembly by BAW. As BAW is traditionally associated with utilitarian 4x4s like the BJ 212 and has limited credentials in electrified passenger cars, this OEM arrangement has done little to inspire buyer confidence in long-term build quality.
Sparse sales and service infrastructure. Modern Auto's limited showroom footprint makes vehicle viewing and test drives inconvenient, while a sparse aftersales network continues to deter prospective buyers.
Deficit in core product competitiveness. Key specifications such as the rear torsion beam suspension, basic Level 1 ADAS, and a modest 163 PS output leave the Modern in trailing similarly priced rivals. Reviewers pointed out that while its driving range is commendable on paper, overall cabin refinement and driving dynamics feel inconsistent.
Uncompetitive pricing structure. Priced between RM128,800 and RM189,800, the Modern in collides directly with heavy hitters like the BYD Yuan PLUS (from RM139,800) and AION Y (from RM119,800). Without brand equity, extensive showroom reach, or standout specs, it has struggled to win over showroom footfall.
Owner feedback is sparse due to the vehicle's tiny population on the road. Based on available user commentary, owners praise its sleek profile and clean interior aesthetic. Common grievances, however, include tight rear legroom relative to its 2,710 mm wheelbase, a firm, unrefined ride over rough tarmac from the torsion beam rear setup, excessive hard plastics across the cabin, and negligible brand presence.
The Modern Auto Modern in serves as an illustrative case study from the second wave of China's EV startup boom. Arriving with crossover styling, an impressive 610 km maximum range, and a 14.6-inch touchscreen in the RM100,000–RM150,000 price band, it sought to carve out a foothold in a fiercely contested segment. However, low brand awareness, reliance on contract assembly, a weak retail network, and spec compromises ultimately relegated the vehicle to the market fringes.
From an industry standpoint, the Modern in highlights the harsh realities facing late-entry EV brands. In a market dominated by established EV giants, stacking spec-sheet highlights is no longer enough; robust brand equity, comprehensive retail channels, and reliable aftersales support are equally vital. As of 2026, the Modern in is effectively on hiatus with near-zero monthly deliveries, casting doubt over the brand's long-term viability.
For prospective buyers, the Modern in makes little financial sense today. Established competitors at the same price point, such as the BYD Yuan PLUS, AION Y, and XPeng G3i, deliver far more cohesive packages across performance, brand trust, and aftersales backing. Ultimately, the Modern in stands as a stark reminder of the intense competition in the new energy vehicle race—proving that securing an entry ticket is easy, but surviving requires deep, sustained operational capabilities.
© 2024 Bitauto.com. All Rights Reserved.
Bitauto (www.yiche.com and www.bitauto.com) is one of the most visited automotive websites in China. We provide detailed info on Chinese car brands available in your area. Please note that the information provided on this website is based on publicly available data and is for reference only. It may not be fully updated or accurate at all times.
Help us improve our website
