KAIYI E-Qute 04

Much like most of the exterior, the interior of the Kaiyi E-Qute 04 has also been shared with the smaller E-Qute 02. The cabin of the E-Qute 04 is available with artificial leatherette choices of pink and black with white. 

The funky-looking interior of E-Qute 04 includes a two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel, which has a white finish for the spokes and surrounds for the controls, along with contrast accents over the spokes. This steering wheel has a modern-looking, fully digital colour LCD instrument console behind it, while having a rectangular touchscreen infotainment system at the top of the centre console.

The dashboard of the Kaiyi E-Qute 04 also has a central layer accommodating slim, rounded, rectangular AC vents with a faux carbon finish for the entire central layer. The lower centre console has a floating design, which houses minimalist buttons for the air conditioner system. The cabin of the E-Qute 04 also has driver seat height adjustment, a 6-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry with one-touch start, and column-mounted drive controllers.

Based on the smaller E-Qute 02, the Kaiyi E-Qute 04 has a longer wheelbase and two additional doors for the rear seat occupants. Despite the addition of rear doors, the overall length of the E-Qute 04 is just 3,695 mm, making it one of the smallest five-door cars in the Philippines.

The front fascia of the Kaiyi E-Qute 04 is similar to that of the smaller E-Qute 02, with the hatchback having triangular headlamps with LED projectors and boomerang-shaped LED DRLs below them. These headlamps are connected by a thin gloss black strip, with the E-Qute 04 having a closed grille with honeycomb-themed design inserts within it. 

The side profile is where the E-Qute 04 proves its distinctiveness from the E-Qute 02, with the former having two additional doors at the back, which do not look ungainly or disproportionate. With 15-inch wheels, the E-Qute 04 has a well-planted stance, further complemented by stylish-looking elements like flush-type door handles and door-mounted rearview mirrors.

At the back, the similarity between the E-Qute 04 and E-Qute 02 pops up once again, with the former also having triangular combination tail lamps with LED inserts and a gloss black strip between them, just like the three-door E-Qute 02.

Beneath its cute-looking design, the Kaiyi E-Qute 04 has an independent suspension on offer – Macpherson struts at the front and multi-link at the rear. Suited and engineered for urban settings, the E-Qute 04 delivers plush ride quality, with the light steering giving it easy manoeuvrability. However, at higher speeds, we would have loved to see more precision from the steering. 

The Kaiyi E-Qute 04 is powered by a front-mounted electric motor, which generates 53.6 bhp of maximum power and 110 Nm of maximum torque. With a claimed top speed of 100 kmph, the E-Qute 04 delivers a range of 301 km from its small 28.08 kWh battery pack. 

While the Kaiyi E-Qute 04 doesn’t get ADAS features, it still has plenty of safety features to offer, including ABS with EBD and brake assist, traction control, electronic stability control, dual front airbags, around view monitor, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, tyre pressure monitoring system and front and rear parking sensors. 

Compared to its smaller three-door version, the five-door Kaiyi E-Qute 04 offers the added practicality of two extra doors and more space for the rear passengers, making it a more practical option of the two. While retaining all the positive attributes of the smaller E-Qute 02, such as refreshing design, funky and functional interior and easy driving appeal, the E-Qute 04 makes up for a practical entry-level electric car for small families.