China’s auto industry has been on an absolute tear, with waves of new brands rolling out eye-catching models and dominating the headlines. This year’s Beijing Auto Show, which is held every other year in rotation with Shanghai, featured more than 100 vehicle debuts from both domestic and global players.

We were on the ground in Beijing, trekking across the sprawling Capital International Convention and Exhibition Center, and after logging some serious miles, we’ve rounded up the standout debuts of the show. A few of these brands might be unfamiliar and some of these vehicles may never make it to U.S. shores, but that doesn’t make them any less cool or significant. Take a look.

This Range Rover rival was one of the biggest surprises in Beijing. A six-seat, three-row SUV, it uses the kind of high-end paint technology you’d expect from a Mercedes-Maybach, yet it’s slated to start at under $75,000 when it hits the Chinese market next month.

The L9 is an E-REV (extended-range electric vehicle), pairing a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with an electric powertrain. The gas engine acts purely as a generator, enabling an estimated 750 miles of total range, with about 250 miles available on electric power alone.

But the real party trick is its trick air suspension. The system can tilt the SUV and lift a wheel off the ground to make tire changes easier—no jack required. It can also raise the wheels enough to slide traction boards underneath, helping it claw its way out of deep sand.

Like the Li Auto L9, the XPeng GX targets buyers looking for a premium three-row SUV with serious presence. This full-size model, starting at around $60,000, is offered as either a fully electric vehicle or an extended-range EV, with claimed range spanning roughly 260 to an eye-popping 1,000 miles depending on the configuration.

Step inside, and it feels more like a first-class airline cabin than an SUV. Second-row passengers get the VIP treatment with reclining seats, integrated footrests, and a ceiling-mounted screen that folds down to stream movies and videos, turning long trips into a lounge-on-wheels experience.

The original Smart car is back in business, at least in concept form. But we were told that indeed what you see here, short of the all-white look and crazy wheels, will be returning soon to Chinese roads. Although Smart reps wouldn’t tell us much about power, battery size, or range, we’re hearing something on the order of 130 or so miles to a charge, and that it will be fun to drive. We also love that its proportions largely mimic that of the original ForTwo, which now has a cult following of sorts. And no, you won’t be able to get one in the U.S., barring some sort of seismic shift in our tariff stance.—Mike Floyd

Fresh off its debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the Xiaomi Vision Gran Turismo concept made its way to Beijing, this time revealing its interior for the first time. And it’s every bit as wild as it sounds.

Easily one of the coolest concepts at the show, the car leans hard into advanced aerodynamics. It uses an aggressive underbody spoiler, sculpted air intakes, and clever side tunnels designed to manage airflow and reduce turbulence at the rear, all in the name of maximizing downforce.

Its interior has five screens on the steering wheel alone, along with Xiaomi’s Hyper Vision screen, which extends from pillar to pillar just under the windshield to provide the driver with vital information without moving their eyes far from the road. Even though its reason for being is the Gran Turismo video game, where you can drive it, Xiaomi made a physical model as a statement piece—proof that this young tech brand is serious about flexing its engineering and design chops.

While Ford continues to talk about electrifying its icons in North America, the Bronco EV is already a reality in China. Developed in partnership with Jiangling Motors, this electrified Bronco is offered as both a full EV and an extended-range EV, with a claimed combined range of up to 758 miles.

As much as we’d love to see that powertrain make its way stateside, the interior is just as noteworthy. Both the front and rear seats fold completely flat, creating enough space to fit an air mattress, making it perfect for camping trips. And instead of the rugged, utilitarian vibe you might expect, the rich orange leather gives off more Range Rover luxury than traditional Bronco toughness.

Mazda may have just one hybrid and no EVs in the U.S., but globally, the story is very different. Take the Mazda EZ-60, a midsize electric SUV launched late last year in China in partnership with Changan. It offers up to about 372 miles of range, a number that’s solid, but not class-leading.

What really stands out, though, is its design. The exterior is sleek and modern, while the show car’s deep purple interior is unlike anything we’ve seen from Mazda in the U.S. It feels bold, upscale, and a little unexpected. And then there’s the price: It starts around $16,800, an eye-opening figure, and one Mazda doesn’t come close to matching in the U.S.

The Jetta is an SUV?! Well at least that’s what’s happening in China, where VW and its FAW-Volkswagen joint venture officially unveiled this concept. Flanked by multicolor Jetta sedans, the Jetta X Concept SUV heralds the launch of a greater line of Jetta-branded vehicles. In China, “Jetta” has been spun off into a separate brand for several years and the X Concept is the vanguard of what it says will be four new, highly affordable EVs.

We’d be surprised if an expansion of the Jetta brand is something that would happen in the U.S. given the Jetta isn’t exactly burning up our sales charts, but the badge has enough cachet in China to make it work. And you never know, stranger things have happened, Toyota Corolla Cross, anyone?—Mike Floyd

Buick’s biggest market is China, and the brand leaned into that reality in Beijing with the debut of the Electra E7, a midsize plug-in hybrid SUV. It’s part of Buick’s new Electra sub-brand, a lineup focused on “new energy” vehicles aimed at younger, tech-savvy families.

The E7 is the first of three models set to join the Electra lineup, and it’ll be offered in three trims when it goes on sale in China. All variants are said to deliver up to 1,000 miles of total range, an eye-catching figure that underscores just how competitive this segment has become. Pricing is just as aggressive, with the lineup expected to land between roughly $23,000 and $29,000.

The Volvo XC70 is a plug-in hybrid midsize SUV that slots neatly between the XC60 and XC90 in China. It pairs a 1.5-liter engine with a sizable 39.6-kWh battery, delivering an estimated 750 miles of combined range.

As expected, design is a strong suit. The signature Thor’s Hammer headlights, a clean, flat front fascia, and sleek bodywork give the XC70 a look that feels both premium and quietly futuristic, very much in line with Volvo’s modern design language.

The model is built in China, and while Europe is expected to get it soon, don’t hold your breath for a U.S. arrival anytime in the near future.

Audi’s famous four rings? Not here. In China, things get a little … complicated. Volkswagen Group has introduced a new brand called AUDI—yes, same name, but without the iconic rings—alongside the traditional Audi brand that still wears them. Confused yet? You’re not alone.

The new AUDI E5 Sportback is the first model to debut under this ringless banner, born from the Audi-SAIC partnership. It’s a serious piece of hardware, too, packing up to 787 horsepower and delivering nearly 500 miles of range (at least on China’s generous testing cycle).

Visually, it makes a strong impression. Hidden headlights, a sleek front light bar, and a clean, minimalist design give it a modern, upscale vibe. The E5 is built specifically for China, and is highly unlikely to make it to Europe or America.

Volkswagen’s glory days in China may be behind it, but the automaker is clearly not ready to give up on a market it once dominated. Enter the new ID.Aura T6, a midsize all-electric crossover developed in partnership with FAW. It also marks a significant step forward for VW, becoming the first model to feature an electronic architecture co-developed with Xpeng.

Then there’s the Unyx 09, which doubles down on Volkswagen’s commitment to keeping sedans relevant. Stretching roughly 16 feet in length, the sleek four-door features slim lighting elements and a flowing roofline that give it a clean, almost understated elegance.

Volkswagen hasn’t shared detailed powertrain specs for either EV just yet, but the mission is clear: these EVs are meant to help the brand regain its footing in China after losing ground to more competitive, homegrown electric rivals.