The Aiways U5 is a popular choice for many people who are in the market for a cheap, yet decent EV that offers lots of space and great all-around capabilities. It is not often that you will come across an electric SUV/Crossover that offers more space than the Audi e-Tron SUV while also costing a lot less money in the process.
As such, the Aiways is indeed a good car for both shorter and taller drivers as it offers lots of leg space and head space with lots of adjustments in both the steering wheel and the seating position. This ensures that almost everyone can get comfortable inside the U5 by simply adjusting a few buttons and switches.
The U5 is a truly competitive car for the segment because it offers so much for the money. Many people pin the U5 against cars like the VW ID .4 because they offer similar size, power, and range, yet the U5 costs a lot less money than the ID .4.
Another reason why the U5 seems like a great option is technology and overall build quality. It looks and feels fairly upmarket from the inside, but only time will tell if this is going to be the case after 10 or 20 years of use.
Aiways U5 – Space, ergonomics, driving position, and comfort
If the interior and cargo space are what you are after in an EV, then considering the U5 is a no-brainer because it offers class-leading interior space for both the front and the rear passengers. It also comes with two trunks, a front one and a rear one which combined are in line with the competition.
The U5 is a decently laid out car which means that all the controls are easy to reach and fairly easy to understand as well. The U5 does continue the current trend of decluttering the interior from too many buttons and switches while also retaining a separate console for climate control.
The driving position is in keeping with all the other SUVs/crossovers from the segment which is a good thing because you can adjust it through various different parameters. It’s easy to get comfortable inside the U5 thanks to plush seats and nice build materials.
It’s also worth mentioning that the U5 is not all that well-isolated from outside tire and wind noise and that is something you will definitely notice at higher speeds.
Aiways U5 – Trims, powertrain, range, charging
There are two different trim levels of the U5, the Standard and the Premium trim and both of them are almost identical bar a few premium options such as panoramic roof, wireless phone charger, or remote open tailgate.
Both the Standard and the Premium trim come with a single electric motor capable of delivering up to 150 kW (201hp) of power from a 63 kWh Lithium-Ion battery. This should be enough for a WLTP range of about 250 miles between charges.
The U5 can charge from 20% to 80% in a little over 30 minutes if you come across a fast DC charger while slow AC charging takes about 8-10 hours. The U5 comes decently equipped from the factory but upgrading to the Premium trim does offer you a bit more convenience and luxury features which certainly do feel the U5 a lot more upmarket.
Aiways U5 – Safety, brand appeal, and resale value
Most modern days EVs take great pride in being some of the safest cars on the planet. Safety has become a gargantuan selling factor which means that automakers are keen on making increasingly safer cars with every new generation.
However, this is not the case with the U5 as Euro NCAP, the leading European crash testing organization rated the U5 with a poor 3-star rating. The U5 did not fare all that well in the side-impact crash test while the active software safety features also leave a lot to be desired.
Another massive drawback the U5 carries is the badge as almost no one knows that the Aiways brand even exists. As such, a lot of people are keen on dismissing the U5 even before they familiarize themselves with what the U5 can offer.
The resale value of the U5 is also a big mystery as the demand for the U5 is not set in place as is the case with other more prominent electric cars. However, you should not expect the resale value to be decent since the market demand for the U5 is rather inconsistent.
FAQ Section
Should I buy the Aiways U5?
You should buy the Aiways U5 if you are in the market for a spacious, comfortable, and rather large EV that can do both highways and urban driving decently. If you are not willing to spend any premium levels of money, the U5 is the car to get as it offers the best value out of all larger EVs on the market.
Aiways hopes to flood the Western markets with mass-production and cheap, yet decent electric vehicles and it seems like they are on a great path towards achieving that goal.
Why isn’t the Aiways U5 a luxury car?
There are no rules out there that specifically state if a specific car is a luxury car or not, but the overall levels of refinement, build quality, build materials, power and price do determine how luxurious a specific car is.
The Aiways U5 is certainly far from being a luxury car even if the build materials do seem better than some of its more expensive German rivals. However, with only 150 kW of power, little to no luxury innovation, and a cheap price, the U5 is firmly an economy-level EV at best.
Is the Aiways U5 a good car for an Uber?
The Aiways U5 can actually be a great car for people-hauling purposes as it does offers lots of space in the second row. The U5 can easily accommodate three grown-up passengers without too much hassle, and that’s essential for an Uber.
The cargo space is also decent while the range is enough for most daily needs. Given the fact that the U5 can recharge from 20% to 80% in a little over 30 minutes, the U5 is definitely a great option for an Uber.
