NETA L

Vehicle Overview

The NETA L is the first mid-size SUV built on the Shanhai platform by NETA Auto under Hozon New Energy Automobile Co., Ltd., positioned as an "intelligent family super range-extended SUV". Offering both pure electric (BEV) and range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) powertrain options, the model was officially launched on 22 April 2024, debuting with four REEV variants priced between RM129,900 and RM159,900. On 28 June of the same year, the pure EV version officially went on sale with prices ranging from RM139,900 to RM162,900. Championing the concept of "technology democratisation", the NETA L introduces high-end equipment—such as large-capacity batteries, an on-board fridge, display screens, and plush lounge seats—into the RM150,000 price segment. In terms of dimensions, the NETA L measures 4,770 mm in length, 1,900 mm in width, and 1,660 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,810 mm.

Design Language

The NETA L adopts the brand's signature family design language, featuring an X-shaped front fascia with a sharp nose cone. Its upswept, sharp headlamps lend the SUV a dynamic stance, while a three-section front bumper with dot-matrix chrome inserts in the trapezoidal lower grille adds a refined touch. The side profile features a prominent dual-waistline, a gently sloping fastback roofline, and blacked-out D-pillars creating a floating roof effect, complemented by flush pop-out door handles and 18- to 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. The rear is sharply sculpted with clean horizontal lines, highlighted by full-width taillights with Y-shaped ends, an integrated ducktail spoiler beneath an aerodynamic rear wing, and an extensive gloss black rear bumper apron that echoes the front fascia. The exterior is available in a variety of body colours, alongside sporty options such as neon green brake calipers. Inside, the cabin features a wraparound dashboard layout with a clean, minimalist design, housing dual 15.6-inch displays, a slim embedded full-LCD instrument panel, and a steering column-mounted electronic gear selector. Offered in dual-tone colour themes like Mousse White and Maillard Brown, the cabin is trimmed extensively in soft-touch leather with diamond quilting and carbon-fibre-style trim, complete with NETA emblems embossed on the headrests, striking a balance between executive luxury and homely comfort.

Powertrain and Performance

The NETA L is offered in both range-extended (REEV) and battery-electric (BEV) configurations. The REEV version is powered by Haozhi Range-Extender 2.0 technology, featuring a Sokon Power-sourced 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine as a generator producing 91 PS, compatible with RON 92 petrol. Motive power is delivered by a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor producing 170 kW (approx. 231 PS) and 310 Nm of torque. In terms of battery capacity, the entry-level variant gets a 30 kWh pack delivering 220 km of CLTC pure electric range and a combined range of 1,250 km; long-range variants are fitted with a 40 kWh CATL lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack, achieving a class-leading CLTC pure electric range of 310 km (the longest among REEV SUVs globally) and a combined range of 1,300 km, with a 30% to 80% DC fast charge taking just 19 minutes. The pure EV model shares the same 170 kW rear motor, paired with a 68 kWh CATL LFP battery pack to deliver a CLTC range of 510 km, a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.6 seconds, and a 10% to 80% fast-charge time of 21 minutes. The REEV variants complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.3 to 8.2 seconds, with a WLTC battery-depleted fuel consumption of 4.85 L/100 km and a combined fuel consumption of 6.31 L/100 km.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the NETA L adopts a rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) layout, which enhances overall handling balance and rear-wheel traction during acceleration. The suspension setup comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension; the multi-link rear setup efficiently irons out road undulations, ensuring rear-passenger ride comfort over speed humps or uneven tarmac while maintaining reassuring wheel tracking during high-speed cornering. Compared to previous NETA models, chassis tuning has been substantially improved, delivering composed road manners and a commendable level of driving engagement. The electric power steering (EPS) automatically varies assist levels according to vehicle speed—light at low speeds and reassuringly weighted at higher cruising speeds. Braking is handled by standard four-wheel disc brakes, backed by ABS, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and other electronic driver assistance aids.

Cabin and Equipment

The NETA L's cabin equipment stands out against rivals in its price bracket. Standard across the range is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155P (or 8155) chipset powering a 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen, with higher-spec variants adding an extra 15.6-inch front passenger entertainment screen to form a dual-screen arrangement. The infotainment system supports AutoNavi navigation, a 540-degree panoramic camera system, multimedia applications, 4G telematics, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. In terms of comfort amenities, high-spec variants feature a 6.6-litre on-board refrigerator with an independent compressor (temperature range: -6°C to 50°C), capable of continuous operation even after the vehicle is locked while drawing less than 1 kWh of electricity over two days. The front row gets zero-gravity massage seats with 8-point massage, ventilation, and heating, alongside 14-way electric adjustment and an ottoman leg rest for the passenger seat. Second-row seats feature seat heating, fold-down tray tables, and adjustable backrest angles. For audio, entry-to-mid variants are equipped with 9 speakers, while top-spec grades are upgraded to a 16-speaker NETA 720-degree surround sound system. Additional features include a 50W wireless smartphone charging pad, 64-colour ambient lighting, acoustic laminated front glass, illuminated vanity mirrors, and a 12V boot power socket.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the passive safety front, the NETA L is engineered with a "three-longitudinal and seven-transverse" safety cage structure with 12 sets of reinforcement rings. High-strength steel and lightweight aluminium account for 81% of the body structure; the side door impact beams withstand up to 2,000 MPa, the roof can support an 8.4-tonne load, and the front end incorporates a dual-box bumper beam with a 253 mm crash box, meeting dual five-star crash safety standards. Front dual airbags, front side airbags, and full-length front-to-rear curtain airbags are standard across all variants, with knee airbags added to selected high-spec grades. For battery safety, the Cell-to-Body (CTB) integrated chassis architecture has undergone extensive rigorous testing across nearly a thousand assessments, paired with an intelligent cloud-based Battery Management System (BMS) for real-time lifecycle monitoring.

In terms of active safety and driver assistance, the NETA L comes equipped with Level 2 ADAS as standard. Base variants (Flash Charging Edition) feature the NETA AD Lite system, utilising a sensor suite of 1 millimetre-wave radar, 8 ultrasonic sensors, and 5 exterior cameras to deliver Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and a 540-degree panoramic camera system. Higher-spec grades (PRO Edition / Hongyi Edition) are upgraded to the full-fledged NETA AD system, expanding the hardware suite to 5 millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 5 exterior cameras, and 1 cabin monitoring camera, powered by a Horizon Journey 3 computing chip. Over the base setup, the advanced system adds Lane Change Assist (LCA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Driver Monitoring System (DMS) fatigue alert, Automatic Lane Change Assist (ALC), Reverse Tracking Assist, Remote Parking, and Automated Parking Assist (APA).

Market Performance and Reception

The NETA L enjoyed strong initial market traction following its launch. According to official figures, cumulative orders surpassed 30,000 units between its launch on 22 April 2024 and 26 May. In terms of delivery figures, the SUV recorded 5,628 units in June 2024, 5,283 units in July, 2,600 units in September, and 1,990 units in October, maintaining a steady monthly average of over 2,000 units. However, sales plummeted sharply entering 2025, recording just 36 units in January and 149 in June; from September 2025 onwards, monthly sales flatlined to zero. In the first quarter of 2026 (Jan–Mar), cumulative sales stood at just 298 units, with its March ranking sliding to 263rd among SUVs.

The steep drop in NETA L sales was primarily a result of NETA Auto's broader operational and financial distress. The brand saw deliveries slide by 16% in 2023, followed by a severe 49% plunge in 2024, before dwindling to an average of just 110 units per month in 2025. By January 2026, domestic retail sales had ceased completely, assembly plants were fully suspended, and the company entered asset liquidation and auction procedures. At present, all NETA L variants have been discontinued from the market.

In terms of customer sentiment, the vehicle holds an overall rating of 3.89 out of 5 stars on the Dongchedi platform, compared to 4.03 stars for its segment rival, the Leapmotor C10. Positive feedback centers on the generous pure electric range from the large battery pack, rich comfort features, and strong value-for-money proposition; negative feedback mainly highlights aftersales uncertainties caused by the brand's financial turmoil, real-world range discrepancies, and the absence of a winter heat pump air-conditioning system. While the NETA L was an intrinsically competitive product in its class, its trajectory mirrors the turbulent fate of its parent brand—briefly capturing market attention with its value-packed "big battery, fridge, display screens, and lounge seats" formula, only to exit the stage amid the company's overarching crisis.