Lynk & Co 02

The Lynk & Co 02 offers a distinctive and thoughtfully designed interior that blends Scandinavian minimalism with advanced technology, creating a cabin experience that feels both premium and practical. The company has opted for a leather-free approach in the 02, utilizing a neoprene-like material that provides a soft-touch feel without compromising on quality. This choice aligns with sustainable practices and also ensures durability and comfort. The dashboard and door panels get the neoprene-like material, complemented by textured plastics and aluminum accents.

A Lynk & Co 02 's cabin gets customizable ambient lighting that runs across the dashboard. The element adds depth and a futuristic vibe to the cabin, enhancing the overall ambiance, especially during nighttime driving. The seats are designed with both comfort and support in mind. The front seats are heated and offer memory functions, catering to individual preferences. The rear seats provide ample space for passengers, although the sloping roofline may slightly impact headroom for taller individuals. A panoramic sunroof further enhances the sense of space and openness within the cabin

Pros and Cons

Pros: Modern and high-quality interior

Cons: Sloping roofline limits rear-seat headroom

Features and Technology

The Lynk & Co 02 gets a 15.4-inch high-definition touchscreen infotainment system. It also functions as the vehicle’s control unit. The system, developed by ECARX and powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon SA8155p SoC, ensures swift responsiveness and seamless operation. The interface combines minimalist graphics with high-res visuals, providing an intuitive user experience. The artificial intelligence (AI) voice recognition adapts to user preferences over time, enhancing personalization.

The 10.2-inch fully digital instrument cluster delivers essential driving information with clarity and precision. The display is designed for easy readability, ensuring that drivers can access vital data without distraction. 

The Lynk & Co 02 does not come with a heads-up display. Instead, it relies on the digital instrument panel and the central touchscreen to convey information

The car gets a heated steering wheel.

Pros and cons

Pros: Modern and intuitive infotainment

Cons: Lacks head-up display

Boot Space and Storage

The Lynk & Co 02 has a rear boot capacity of 410 litres with all seats in place. Folding down the rear seats increases the cargo space to 1,400 liters to accommodate larger items or additional luggage. There’s an additional 15-litre front trunk that can hold smaller items like charging cables or emergency kits.

The central console comes with a storage box ahead of the armrest. It’s removable and provides flexibility for storage needs. The rear seats get a fold-down armrest with integrated cup holders. That aside the cabin gets includes multiple storage compartments, like door pockets and under-seat spaces, totalling 36 storage areas.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Generous cargo space

Cons: Limited long-item accommodation

The Lynk & Co 02 measures 4,460mm in length, 1,845mm in width, and 1,573mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,755mm. 

The Lynk & Co 02 is mounted on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA). The 02 represents the brand's first fully electric SUV, tailored for the international market. Its exterior design harmoniously blends bold aesthetics with functional innovation, setting a new benchmark in the compact electric SUV segment. The car’s front features a minimalist closed grille, complemented by the distinctive ‘Dawn Light’ daytime running lights (DRL). The car gets all-around LED lighting. These lights integrate position lights, DRLs, and turn signals into a single unit, enhancing visibility and giving the vehicle a striking presence.

The Lynk & Co 02  gets a sleek, coupe-like silhouette with a sloping roofline and smooth body curves. Its aerodynamic design achieves a drag coefficient of 0.25 Cd, one of the lowest in its class, contributing to improved energy efficiency.

At the back, the Lynk & Co 02 introduces an illuminated spoiler that integrates all necessary lighting functions, including brakes, reversing lights, and turn signals. This red-green-blue (RGB) system offers up to 256 color variants, allowing for customizable animations during various vehicle operation. The frameless doors enhance the car’s sleek appearance, besides improving aerodynamics. The panoramic glass roof provides an open and airy feel to the cabin. The 19-inch alloy wheels add to the sporty stance.

Pros: Aerodynamic efficiency

Cons: Polarizing aesthetics

The fully electric Lynk & Co 02 is equipped with a 66kWh battery. It outputs a Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) range of 445km. Real-world range estimates vary based on driving conditions. In city traffic, the Lynk & Co 02 returns a mileage of up to 375km. On highways, the mileage returned is approximately 300km. 

Pros and cons

Pros: Superb urban efficiency

Cons: Limited charging infrastructure

The Lynk & Co 02 employs a MacPherson strut front suspension and a multilink rear suspension, both utilizing coil springs and monotube dampers. The car prioritizes passenger comfort, particularly in urban settings. The suspension system effectively absorbs road imperfections, delivering a smooth ride over potholes and uneven surfaces. However, at higher speeds, particularly on highways, there’s a bit of increased wind noise around the A-pillars and a slightly unsettled ride over seemingly smooth surfaces.

In terms of handling, the Lynk & Co 02 offers a predictable and stable driving experience. The steering is light. While it may not deliver the sharpness of a sports car, the SUV manages to handle corners with confidence, maintaining good body control. The vehicle's all-wheel-drive system contributes to its stability, particularly in adverse weather conditions

Pros: Nice ride comfort

Cons: High-speed ride quality lacks refinement 

The Lynk & Co 02 is equipped with a rear-mounted, permanent magnet electric motor that produces 272PS/343Nm. This car can reach from 0 to 100kmph in just 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 180kmph. In China and other international markets, the Lynk & Co 02 gets a more powerful motor that outputs 340PS/373Nm of torque, achieving 0 to 100kmph in 5.3 seconds. The all-electric SUV is powered by a 66kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery. Fast charging capabilities allow the battery to charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in about 30 minutes.

The Lynk & Co 02 handles confidently. The steering wheel is light and lacks feedback, which may not appeal to driving enthusiasts. But the braking system is well-calibrated, seamlessly blending regenerative and friction braking for smooth deceleration.

Pros and cons

Pros: Impressive acceleration

Cons: Lacks steering wheel feedback

The Lynk & Co 02 is equipped with a 21-component advanced driver-assist system (ADAS). It comprises automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, intelligent cruise control, automatic lane change assist, blind spot detection, traffic sign recognition, and front and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Lynk & Co 02 employs an integrated system of cameras and radars to provide comprehensive visibility and situational awareness. A 360-degree camera offers a bird's-eye view of the vehicle's surroundings. A rear-view camera provides a clear view of the area behind the vehicle. Front and rear parking sensors detect obstacles in close proximity to the vehicle. A digital video recorder functions as a built-in dashcam and records driving footage.  The car comes with a built-in navigation system that provides real-time route guidance and traffic updates.

Pros and cons

Pros: Advanced sensor integration

Cons: Limited local support

Competitor Comparison

The Lynk & Co 02 and Geely Coolray are both owned by Geely. The Lynk & Co 02 is a premium electric compact SUV featuring a 66kWh battery, delivering up to 445km range. It outputs 272PS with a 0–100kmph acceleration in 5.5 seconds. It offers advanced tech like a 15.4-inch touchscreen, and over-the-air updates, along with other innovative features. The Geely Coolray is a subcompact SUV powered by a 1.5L turbocharged petrol engine producing 177PS. It emphasizes practicality with a 10.25-inch infotainment system, panoramic sunroof, and safety features like blind-spot detection and automated parking assist. While the Lynk & Co 02 targets tech-savvy urban drivers seeking electrification and connectivity, the Coolray appeals to budget-conscious buyers desiring a sporty, fuel-efficient crossover.

Conclusion and Final Verdict

The Lynk & Co 02 manages to strike a nice balance between style, innovation, and practicality. With its eye-catching design, smart connectivity features, and decent performance, it’s a strong contender for those seeking something refreshingly different in the compact SUV market. But it suffers from a limited distributor network. Those who value individuality and love a tech-savvy flair, the Lynk & Co 02 is well worth considering as the next car.