SAIC Volkswagen is preparing to launch the ID.ERA 8X, a sportier, more youthful version of its ID.ERA 9X range-extender SUV. According to Autohome, which conducted a first drive of the vehicle, the 8X is designed to appeal to families seeking a large five-seat SUV with strong performance and advanced driver assistance, without the bulk of a six-seater.
Design and Interior: A Sharper Look
The ID.ERA 8X retains the brand's signature full-width daytime running lights but revises the lower front bumper, raising the visual center of gravity compared to the 9X. The roofline is lower, giving the side profile a more athletic stance. It rides on 21-inch black wheels with red brake calipers, and the dark blue paint with black trim gives it a stealthy appearance. At the rear, the license plate has been moved from the tailgate to the bumper, making it easy to distinguish the 8X from the 9X at a glance.
Inside, the front cabin mirrors the 9X's layout, including the Smart Surface instrument display technology, which is also integrated into the rear door panels. The system operates smoothly without lag, according to Autohome. The driver's seat features active side bolsters that inflate during hard cornering to hold the body in place. Second-row passengers get ample leg and headroom, power-adjustable seatbacks, sunshades, a small table, and a refrigerator, though a ceiling-mounted screen is not offered.
Autohome notes that for families that rarely carry more than five people, the five-seat layout is more practical than a six-seat version, and the trunk offers generous volume.
Powertrain and Chassis: EA211 Range Extender
The ID.ERA 8X is powered by a 1.5-liter EA211 turbocharged engine used as a range extender (EREV - a plug-in hybrid where the engine only charges the battery), paired with dual electric motors producing a combined 380 kW (about 510 hp) and 660 Nm of torque—the same output as the 9X. Thanks to its smaller size, the 8X feels quicker, with strong acceleration across all speed ranges, even above 100-110 km/h, according to Autohome. The EA211 engine's robust hardware makes it an effective range extender.
The chassis uses a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, with closed twin-chamber air springs and CDC variable damping. This setup is typical of premium EREV SUVs in the 300,000-yuan price bracket. Autohome reports that the 8X offers better lateral support and more road feel than the 9X, with stable body control during emergency lane changes and corners. Ride comfort over large bumps is comparable to the 9X. The steering is well-weighted and precise, and despite lacking rear-wheel steering, the smaller dimensions make it easy to maneuver in the city.
The vehicle is equipped with Momenta R7 world model-based driver assistance, supporting parking-to-parking full-scenario assisted driving. It performs reliably on highways and takes a cautious approach in urban areas, with accurate recognition of pedestrians, cyclists, and crossing vehicles. Autohome noted that on steep bridges in Ningbo, the system may experience a slight bounce when cresting, which the manufacturer plans to address via over-the-air updates.
Autohome estimates the ID.ERA 8X will start at no more than 249,800 yuan (about $35,200), based on the pricing of its main rival, the Xpeng G9L (which starts at 241,800 yuan, or about $34,100, with a limited-time discount of 10,000 yuan). High-end versions are expected to be around 300,000 yuan (about $42,300). These are Chinese guide prices before taxes and incentives. The ID.ERA 8X will compete with the Li Auto L6 and Aito M7, but its closest rival is the Xpeng G9L, which offers rear-wheel steering while the VW brand adds value.
