Li Auto made things clear when they first landed here in the Philippines. First is they’re aiming at the premium market and two, their core mission involves making cars safer, more comfortable, and more convenient. Now they’ve put all of that in their first full-EV, the Li Mega.
When Li Auto Philippines invited us for a drive, I was thinking of getting my hands on either the L7 or L9. I was surprised that this drive is more of a ride, as they hired drivers to take us between locations instead. What’s more, I was lucky to get first dibs on their first EV.
The Li Mega is a full-sized MPV measuring 5,350mm long, 1,965mm wide, and 1,850mm tall. It’s bigger than the likes of the Toyota Alphard and even the Super Grandia. That size, together with its RoboCop look, make it look like the front of a bullet train. It seems apt too as the Li Mega can seat 7 people with its 2+2+3 default configuration.
Click the small button on the flush door handles and the electric sliding doors will open on its own. You’ll be greeted by the pair of Executive Ottoman seats on the second row, clad in cream leather upholstery. I’m surprised by the amount of space these seats have as it was able to accommodate my wide body comfortably. They are also featured pack with Power Adjustment, a Pillow on top of the adjustable headrest, Seat Heating, Cooling, and a glorious 16-point Massage that reaches up to the thighs. The best thing about the massage is it’s not timed so you can use it for the duration of your trip!
A weird design call though is how far below the handle is in order to open and close the door from the inside. There’s a button on the pillar to do it, but it would be too far if you’re coming from a reclined position on the seats. I think they’re negligible though since most owners of cars of this level do not open their own doors.
Other amenities on the second row are its own automatic climate control, mini ref that has cooling or heating function, and a huge high-definition screen for both entertainment and system functions, including the massage.
I was seated on the second row and the experience was just sublime. There’s more than enough cushion for my heavy body, while the space is abundant. There’s a lot of room for your legs and feet that 5’7 me can push the seat back, recline, and raise the Ottoman, while the third row still has ample space for its occupants. They also have a function where the right seat automatically adjusts itself backward and reclines the backrest while raising the Ottoman for a more relaxed position.
The third row still has a good seating position thanks to the flat floor that is the same height as the second row. It also received a pillow on its headrest, accompanied by cupholders, a USB-C port, power adjustment for the backrest, and a seat heating function. Yes, heating not cooling.
If you think Li Auto put all their energy in the cabin, you’ll be surprised by what it has under the metal. This EV is no slouch. It has 2 electric motors for a 4-wheel drive system, a 102.7 kWh battery, around 544 PS of power, 542 Nm of torque, 0-100kph in 5.5 secs, and a long range of 710 km.
Despite the staggering power, the Li Mega didn’t forget its aim of comfort. Power delivery is very linear that despite the driver pushing for an overtake, me and my companions aren’t being pushed back in our seats. The air suspension also did a good job of absorbing most road ruts. I can only feel the vibrations on the floor and it doesn’t even reach the seats.
I initially said I could not fall asleep because of the lack of vibrations. I was used to feeling them in my upper body and it rocks me to sleep when I’m not driving. But immediately after saying that, my companions said I fell asleep. I woke up 50 km later when we were already in Coffee Builders at Silang, Cavite. It didn’t feel like that long of a trip as my body felt the same as when I first got in the car. So this is why executives are still fresh despite the horrendous traffic in the city.
It was such a short stint with the Li Mega that I was left wanting more. That desire increased further when they informed us that the unit we experienced was the lower trim. The higher Ultra variant features powered-swivel seats for the second row allowing you to face the door for easy ingress and egress, or to be face-to-face with the third row occupants.
While the aesthetics of the Li Mega can be an acquired taste, the overall package is simply exciting. It has the power and safety features to rival the best in class, while having supreme comfort for all occupants. I’m not going to be hasty and say it’s a better car than other premium offerings in the market. However, its comfort level is certainly memorable once you’ve experienced it.
