Car space has long been judged by wheelbase, rear legroom and boot volume. But as camping, in-car naps, long road trips and multi-generational family travel become everyday needs, automakers are rethinking what interior space should do - shifting the car from a pure transport tool toward a 'third space' that also serves rest, according to PCauto.
The problem with most current designs, the outlet argues, is that large dimensions do not equal usable space. Many models let owners fold the rear seats into a lying position, but usually with a step between seat and boot floor, requiring inflatable mattresses, storage boards and a cleared-out boot. Setting up and packing away is so fiddly that the feature is only practical for occasional camping, not daily use. The space can lie flat, but it is not easy or comfortable to lie in.
A 20-second flat bed
The upcoming Qijing GX7 takes a different route. Instead of relying on add-on accessories, it uses a linked multi-part seat mechanism to create a completely flat double bed in about 20 seconds, PCauto says. The system can be triggered from the centre screen, physical buttons or voice commands, with the seat cushion lifting, backrest folding, leg support extending and headrest flipping in sync. No mattress or bed board is needed, and the seatbelt buckles sink out of the way so there are no pressure points. Because the mechanism is factory-built, the result is consistent every time.
The practical payoff is in real scenarios. In a car park during a workday lunch break, the owner can switch to rest mode without clearing the boot. On a highway service stop, the driver can lie down quickly to recover from fatigue, and the boot still keeps a useful amount of cargo space while the bed is deployed - luggage stays in place and the car returns to driving mode instantly. Beyond single-person rest, the GX7 offers more than ten space modes, covering five-seat commuting, comfortable seating for elderly passengers, separate rest zones for parents and children, and even an extended long bed that can work with a built-in projector as a mobile cinema.
From paper specs to real pain points
Different brands are exploring different paths - inflatable mattresses, pop-up roof cabins and other solutions - all pushing in-car rest experiences forward, PCauto notes. The direction represented by the GX7 is to focus on user experience itself, cutting down on extra equipment and complex operations while hiding the mechanical linkage inside, leaving the user with a simple, direct experience.
The 'third space' is not about turning a car into a house, but about serving short stops during a journey, the outlet concludes. As space can switch forms quickly and without burden, a car can genuinely accommodate fragmented moments of life such as naps, camping and family leisure. The shift is from competing on paper specifications to solving real user pain points.
PCauto did not disclose pricing, launch timing or powertrain details for the Qijing GX7 in the report.
