Design and Styling: A Masterpiece by Nader Faghihzadeh
The Avatr 12 is the result of a rare collaboration between Chinese manufacturing giant Changan and tech titan Huawei, but its visual identity was shaped by a familiar name in automotive design: Nader Faghihzadeh. The former BMW designer, responsible for the iconic BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe and the i8, brings his signature blend of elegance and aggression to this all-electric sedan.
The Avatr 12 measures 5,020 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,020 mm. That puts it squarely in the full-size luxury segment. The design language is defined by a low, wide stance, a sharply creased hood, and a dramatic fastback roofline that flows seamlessly into a short rear deck. The front fascia features a full-width LED light bar and a closed-off grille with active shutters, while the rear gets a distinctive wraparound taillight cluster and an integrated spoiler.
Faghihzadeh's influence is most evident in the surfacing. The body panels are taut and muscular, with pronounced wheel arches housing 20- or 21-inch alloy wheels. The side profile is clean, with flush door handles and frameless windows that emphasize the coupe-like silhouette. The Avatr 12 achieves a drag coefficient of just 0.21 Cd, making it one of the most aerodynamically efficient production sedans on the market. That low drag directly contributes to its class-leading range.
With a drag coefficient of 0.21 Cd, the Avatr 12 is more aerodynamic than a Tesla Model S (0.208 Cd) and significantly better than the Mercedes EQE (0.22 Cd), directly boosting highway efficiency.
Huawei-Powered Interior and Driver Assistance Tech
Step inside the Avatr 12, and you're greeted by a cabin that feels more like a tech lounge than a traditional car. The centerpiece is a massive 15.6-inch floating touchscreen running Huawei's HarmonyOS. The interface is crisp, responsive, and supports over-the-air updates. Huawei has also integrated its proprietary sound system with 14 speakers, delivering a rich, immersive audio experience.
The driver gets a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, but the real party trick is the augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD) that projects navigation cues, speed, and safety alerts directly onto the windshield. The cabin is minimalist, with physical buttons kept to a minimum. Most controls are accessed via the touchscreen or voice commands, powered by Huawei's AI assistant. The system can control everything from climate to seat massagers to ambient lighting with 64 colors.
On the driver assistance front, the Avatr 12 is equipped with Huawei's ADS 2.0 (Advanced Driving System). This suite includes three lidar sensors, six millimeter-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and nine high-definition cameras. The result is Level 2+ autonomous driving capability, with features like highway pilot, traffic jam assist, automated lane changes, and automatic parking. The system can navigate complex urban environments, recognize traffic lights, and handle unmarked roads. Huawei claims the system is constantly learning and improving through cloud-based updates.
The interior materials are premium throughout. Nappa leather upholstery, open-pore wood trim, and brushed aluminum accents are standard. The front seats offer heating, ventilation, and massage functions. Rear passengers get generous legroom thanks to the long wheelbase, though the sloping roofline slightly compromises headroom for taller occupants. The trunk offers 425 liters of cargo space, expandable by folding the rear seats.
CATL Battery and 700km+ Range Performance
Under the floor, the Avatr 12 uses a 116 kWh ternary lithium battery pack supplied by CATL, the world's largest battery manufacturer. This pack is integrated into the vehicle's structure for improved rigidity and weight distribution. The official CLTC range is 705 km (438 miles), but in real-world mixed driving, owners report achieving around 620-650 km (385-404 miles). On the highway at 120 km/h (75 mph), expect about 500 km (311 miles) -- still excellent for a large sedan.
The battery supports 800V architecture, enabling ultra-fast charging. Using a 350 kW DC fast charger, the Avatr 12 can go from 10% to 80% in just 25 minutes. That's competitive with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Porsche Taycan. The onboard charger supports 11 kW AC charging for home or workplace use, replenishing the battery fully in about 10 hours.
Two powertrain options are available. The rear-wheel-drive single-motor version produces 230 kW (308 hp) and 370 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant delivers 425 kW (570 hp) and 650 Nm of torque, slashing the 0-100 km/h time to 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 200 km/h (124 mph). The AWD model's performance rivals that of the Tesla Model S Long Range and the Porsche Taycan 4S.
Driving modes include Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Individual, adjusting throttle response, steering weight, suspension damping (if equipped with adaptive air suspension), and regenerative braking levels. The regenerative braking can be adjusted from mild to one-pedal driving intensity. The ride quality is compliant and well-damped, with the air suspension soaking up road imperfections while maintaining composure through corners.
Positioning Against NIO ET7 and Mercedes EQE
The Avatr 12 enters a fiercely competitive segment. Its primary rivals are the NIO ET7 and the Mercedes-Benz EQE. The NIO ET7 starts at around $68,000 in China, while the Mercedes EQE starts at approximately $75,000. The Avatr 12 undercuts both with a starting price of about $55,000 for the RWD model and $62,000 for the AWD version.
Compared to the NIO ET7, the Avatr 12 offers a larger battery (116 kWh vs. 100 kWh) and a longer CLTC range (705 km vs. 675 km). However, the ET7 counters with NIO's battery-swapping network, which can be a significant convenience advantage. The ET7 also has a more spacious rear seat and a slightly more refined interior. But the Avatr 12's Huawei-powered tech suite, particularly the ADS 2.0 system, is more advanced than NIO's NIO Pilot in terms of real-world autonomous driving capability.
Against the Mercedes EQE, the Avatr 12 is a clear value proposition. The EQE 350+ offers 292 hp and a 654 km WLTP range, but its real-world range is closer to 500 km. The Avatr 12's dual-motor AWD version outperforms the EQE 500 in both power (570 hp vs. 402 hp) and acceleration (3.9 sec vs. 4.5 sec 0-100 km/h). The EQE's interior is more traditionally luxurious, but the Avatr 12's tech-forward cabin and AR-HUD feel more modern. The EQE also lacks lidar-based autonomous driving, relying on a camera-and-radar system that is less capable.
In summary, the Avatr 12 positions itself as a tech-forward, value-packed alternative to established luxury EVs. It offers more range, more power, and more advanced driver assistance than its German and Chinese rivals at a lower price point. For buyers who prioritize cutting-edge technology and range over brand cachet, the Avatr 12 is a compelling choice.