Five features that put the Li Mega ahead of the luxury vehicle game

Li Auto is a relatively new competitor in the automotive industry, but it is slowly and steadily gaining a foothold in its home country of China. It’s understandable if you haven’t heard of Li Auto; it was only founded 10 years ago, in 2015, so it hasn’t yet had the time to go toe-to-toe with the legacy brands we see here in the Philippines.

Nonetheless, if there’s one thing we’ve learned from other Chinese brands, it’s not to underestimate their ability to create impressive cars so early in their development. In that regard, Li Auto has something that could redefine what we’re used to in the premium minivan segment.

The car in question is the Li Mega, a battery-electric minivan with a long list of innovative features that are new not only for premium vans but also for battery-electric vehicles. To see what we mean, we’re highlighting five features on the Li Mega that we think break the mold of the traditional premium people-mover.

The terms sleek and futuristic get thrown around all the time when it comes to modern cars, but we’d be lying if we didn’t say that the Mega looks like something concocted from our idea of cars of the future. Smooth and aerodynamic all around, you won’t spot any rough edges or any corners on the Mega’s exterior, giving it a rather understated look. “Less is more” seems to be the idea behind the Mega’s design, but despite the minimalist styling, or lack thereof, the Mega’s large stature and fluid lines are sure to make anyone do a double-take, even in the more opulent parts of Metro Manila.

The understated exterior hides a cabin that’s chock-full of features that are all focused on providing a top-notch riding experience. Its 5,350 mm length and 3,300 mm wheelbase allow a 2-2-3 seating configuration, with dual VIP second-row seats featuring Nappa leather, heating, ventilation, massage, and electric leg rests, while even the third row provides heated, electrically adjustable full-size seating. The front passenger enjoys a “zero-gravity” seat with 10-point massage, while the driver benefits from smart cushion firmness adjustment. Inside, materials include soft-touch faux suede, velvet panels, and OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, paired with double-layer acoustic glass for serene isolation. As for tech,  the cabin features twin 15.7-inch 3K OLED displays up front, a 21.4-inch rear screen, and a 2,160W 21-speaker 7.3.4 audio system with 4D seat vibration. Comfort systems include tri-zone climate control with air purification, CO₂ and PM2.5 monitoring, a fragrance diffuser, and a negative-ion generator. 

Additional convenience features include USB-C ports up to 67 W, a 220 V outlet, and abundant storage spaces. Features such as power sliding doors, an electric tailgate, and ambient lighting with 256 color options enhance convenience and ambience, while configurable “First-Class Cabin” and “Lounge” modes transform the MEGA into a mobile living room. What Li Auto delivers in the MEGA with this feature set is the comfort of a luxury living room, compacted into a single minivan, making the journey as enjoyable as the destination, perhaps even more so.

The Li Mega utilizes the latest technology available for its computational needs, whether it be for the cabin or its advanced driver assistance systems. On the infotainment side, the vehicle features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P SoC to drive dual 15.7-inch 3K displays plus the additional large screens for the rear rows, delivering razor-sharp visuals and fluid interface response.

Simultaneously, the Mega’s advanced driver-assist and autonomy suite runs on twin NVIDIA Orin‑X chips, delivering a combined computing muscle of 508 TOPS (trillions of operations per second) and enabling full-scenario navigation-on-autopilot (NOA), including urban roads and highways, thanks to its extensive sensor suite of LiDAR, cameras, radars, and ultrasonic sensors.

The Li MEGA brings a comprehensive safety package that blends structural integrity, occupant protection, and advanced driver-assist systems to offer protection on all fronts. At the heart of its passive safety is the “Fortress Protection System”, according to Li Auto, this system is a body structure with torsional rigidity rated at 44,000 Nm/degree, developed to the standards of the China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C‑IASI).

On the active and assisted driving front, the Li MEGA leverages the “Li AD Max” hardware platform, which includes a 128-line LiDAR, multiple high-resolution cameras, millimeter-wave and ultrasonic sensors, enabling all-scenario navigation on highways and urban roads, autonomous lane changes, obstacle avoidance, and remote/valet parking features.

Within the cabin and enhancement systems, safety is further reinforced with multiple airbags (front, side, curtain, second-row side, etc), ISOFIX anchors for child seats in both second and third rows, electronic stability control, tire-pressure monitoring, anti-theft safeguards, and an electronic parking brake with auto-hold feature.

The last feature we’ll talk about in the Li Mega is perhaps the most important one for a battery-electric vehicle: its charging capability. The Mega is equipped with a hefty 102.7 kWh Kirin 5C battery that delivers a claimed range of 719 km on the CLTC cycle. The range itself isn’t mind-boggling, considering the size of the battery, but what’s truly impressive is its 5C charging capability. The Mega’s 5C system is rated at 400 kW, with a peak output of 520 kW, allowing a 10 to 80 percent charge in just 10.5 minutes. To put that into perspective, the Mega can gain around 500 km of driving range with only 10.5 minutes of charging. Propulsion is handled by two electric motors delivering a combined output of 400 kW or 536 hp and 542 Nm of torque. That amount of power gets the Mega from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds.

Of course, charging speed also depends on the output an EV charger can provide. Fortunately, ultrafast charging stations are slowly but steadily appearing across the country, with the fastest one currently rated at 400 kW in Makati City. As the charging network continues to expand, the Li Mega’s advanced charging technology ensures it will be ready to take full advantage of the country’s growing EV infrastructure.

As for the price, the Li Mega is priced at P5,990,000 for the Mega Ultra and P6,490,000 for the Mega Home variant. It’s a steep proposition for a vehicle built by a newcomer to the market, but considering its extensive list of features, it could be a worthwhile investment for those who value luxury, sustainable motoring, and cutting-edge technology. Check it out now on the Li Auto Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph.