SERES 5

Model Overview

The SERES 5 is the debut model from the SERES brand, manufactured by Chongqing Jinkang SERES Motor Co., Ltd. It made its global debut at the Chongqing Liangjiang Intelligent Plant in April 2019 as a D-segment extended-range electric SUV. As the foundational model for SERES, it spearheaded the brand's strategic mission of "building a brand around the automotive New Four Modernisations based on Industry 4.0 standards", becoming China's second production extended-range plug-in hybrid model after the Li Auto ONE. Powertrain options included both extended-range EV and pure electric (BEV) setups, with the EREV variant serving as the primary launch offering. Between July and September 2020, high-performance sport and 4WD high-performance variants were rolled out sequentially. In April 2021, the "HUAWEI Smart Selection SF5" variant—developed in deep collaboration with Huawei—officially debuted and entered Huawei flagship stores, making it the first mass-production model retailed via Huawei channels. Following the arrival of newer models like the AITO M5, the SERES SF5 was gradually phased out. In August 2025, HIMA introduced a trade-in renewal scheme for SERES SF5 owners, offering purchase subsidies toward AITO series models. As of 2026, the SERES 5 has virtually ceased sales in its domestic market.

Design Language

Visually, the SERES 5 adopts the brand's "Life Nature Aesthetics" design philosophy. The front fascia is anchored by distinctive "Sigma (∑)" daytime running lights extending from the brow down to the lower bumper, delivering a sharp, instantly recognisable lighting signature. To cater to the range extender's cooling demands, the closed grille integrates diamond-patterned air intakes, striking a neat balance between EV aesthetics and engineering functionality. Integrated LED headlamps blend seamlessly into the front fascia, creating a sleek yet purposeful front profile. Along the sides, a sloping coupe-like roofline is complemented by dynamic dual shoulder lines and 20-inch five-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels. Flush pop-out door handles deploy upon unlocking and retract on the move, enhancing both aesthetic cleanliness and aerodynamic efficiency. Around the back, full-width LED tail lamps feature a rounded, shapely contour, which pairs with the raked roofline to yield a commendable drag coefficient. In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,700 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 1,625 mm tall (1,629 mm on select variants), with a 2,875 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely in the mid-size SUV segment. Inside, the cabin features a wraparound cockpit layout with a two-tone black-and-white finish and extensive soft-touch upholstery, while hidden continuous air vents and horizontal silver trim strips visually broaden the cabin's sense of space and depth. A flat-bottom two-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel incorporates multifunction controls and a dedicated in-car camera shutter button, rounding off a modern, clutter-free cockpit.

Powertrain and Performance

The SERES 5 4WD High Performance Edition features an extended-range system pairing a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a direct-coupled 90 kW permanent magnet synchronous generator, fed by a 35 kWh ternary lithium battery pack. Drive is provided by front and rear dual AC asynchronous electric motors producing a combined maximum output of 510 kW (694 PS / 684 hp) and 1,040 Nm of peak torque—figures that far eclipse similarly priced petrol-powered SUVs and rival multi-million-ringgit supercars. Aided by the dual-motor intelligent all-wheel drive system, the 0-100 km/h sprint is dispatched in just 4.8 seconds. Power is routed through a single-speed EV reduction gearbox operated via a rotary drive selector. It delivers an NEDC pure electric range of 150 km, while the range extender stretches total cruising range past 1,000 km in tandem with a 56-litre fuel tank, offering a genuine zero-anxiety driving experience that allows drivers to charge or refuel as needed. Furthermore, the vehicle supports Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power output, capable of rescuing stranded EVs or powering outdoor electrical equipment.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the SERES 5 boasts premium hardware with double-wishbone front independent suspension (with anti-roll bar) and a multi-link rear independent setup—a rare high-spec configuration in this price class. Extensive use of aluminium alloy components across the suspension reduces unsprung mass for sharper handling responses, while chassis tuning incorporates European track-inspired standards to strike a balance between dynamism and ride comfort. Drivers can tailor the drive via 5 driving modes, 4 road modes, 3 steering weights, and 2 brake pedal response modes, with road modes covering highway and urban conditions. In real-world city driving, power delivery remains linear and progressive, keeping the massive torque manageable; in track tests, the 1,040 Nm torque output and electric AWD enabled seamless ascent of a 30° incline without wheelspin, while showing high limits in the moose test and resolute body control during skidpan tests. In terms of rough-road capability, its approach and departure angles also outshine conventional urban crossover rivals.

Cockpit and Features

The smart cockpit is anchored by a 17-inch portrait touchscreen infotainment display, flanked by a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a head-up display (HUD) to form a cohesive three-screen setup. Running the SERES Intelligent Connected System, the central screen governs climate settings, multimedia, navigation, and vehicle parameters—virtually eliminating physical switchgear while supporting full-range natural voice commands and whole-vehicle over-the-air (OTA) updates. Early units utilised Alibaba's AliOS 2.0 system with access to the Ali mobility ecosystem, whereas later Huawei-backed variants featured the HUAWEI HiCar full-scenario smart connectivity system for seamless smartphone-to-vehicle integration across "people, car, and home" scenarios. Seating comprises one-piece sports seats, with both front seats offering 12-way power adjustment, heating, ventilation, massage functions, and intelligent welcome access. Other creature comforts include dual-zone automatic climate control, 64-colour ambient lighting, a wireless smartphone charger, and a hands-free powered tailgate.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety and ADAS front, the SERES 5 Freedom Expedition Edition (introduced in early 2021) packs multiple high-precision millimetre-wave radars and high-perception cameras to enable over ten Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving features. These include Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Integrated Cruise Assist (ICA), Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Lane Keeping Assist (LKA). The SUV also incorporates a high-strength body architecture, submarine-grade battery protection, and over 40 active and passive safety features. Warranty-wise, SERES offered a 7-year/150,000 km whole-vehicle warranty, complemented by an 8-year/160,000 km warranty for the core EV drive components (drive motors and motor controller, traction battery pack, and range extender assembly).

Market Performance and Reception

The market journey of the SERES 5 ran a full cycle from obscurity to a brief boom and subsequent rapid fading. Following its 2020 debut, full-year sales stood at just 732 units, trailing well behind frontline EV startups of the era. After the HUAWEI Smart Selection SF5 arrived in April 2021, backing from Huawei's retail channels and brand credibility propelled monthly sales to a peak of 2,205 units in October. However, the momentum was short-lived; by 2022, as more deeply Huawei-integrated models like the AITO M5 debuted, consumer interest in the SERES SF5 cooled drastically, with annual sales plunging to just 51 units. By 2025, sales remained subdued, hovering at around 100 units per month. Among owners, the car earned praise for its class-topping output figures and premium chassis hardware; however, inconsistent quality control, frequent price revisions, and rapid updates under the Huawei-partnered AITO brand left the original SERES SF5 sidelined. Ultimately, as the debut offering from SERES, the SERES 5 showcased the company's early capabilities in design, performance, and chassis engineering, but as corporate focus shifted decisively towards the AITO lineup, the model gradually bowed out of the mainstream market.