Test Driving the Hyptec HT: Chinese EV with Gullwing Doors

This Chinese EV has gullwing doors and a light show. I drove it to see if it’s a Tesla rival.

The Hyptec HT, a midsize SUV, is targeting Tesla Model Y and BYD Sealion 7 customers. The car’s gullwing rear doors are a bold design choice. Our reviewer said it felt spacious, smooth, and luxe. But like many new Chinese EVs, it’s not sold in the US.

The Hyptec HT is hard to miss, especially the one I tested in a bright shade of orange. Over three days behind the wheel in Singapore, the car attracted a lot of attention. People approached to ask what it was, and a few even requested to take a photo. Like many recent Chinese EVs, the Hyptec HT isn’t offered in the US. It’s produced by Guangzhou Automobile Group, or GAC, one of China’s biggest automakers. Hyptec, a blend of “hyper” and “technology,” is part of GAC’s Aion marque and represents its attempt to access the booming premium EV segment. With the HT, that effort is squarely aimed at Tesla’s Model Y and BYD’s Sealion 7. The company doesn’t hide its rivals. “We are targeting Sealion 7 and Model Y customers, and not creating a new market niche,” Bender Guo, GAC’s country manager for Singapore and Vietnam, told Business Insider.

On the outside

The HT’s profile struck me as very reminiscent of Tesla’s Model Y. Interestingly, it was styled at GAC’s Advanced Design Studio in Los Angeles, only about 15 miles from Tesla’s design center in Hawthorne — though there’s no proof the proximity shaped the styling. The HT sports crisp character lines, a coupe-like roof, and flush door handles, giving it a futuristic appearance that mixes sporty and upscale cues.

The magical doors

One of the HT’s most striking design elements is its gullwing rear doors, a modern nod to “Back to the Future.” Hyptec says they require just over a foot of clearance, and use 12 radar sensors to prevent them from striking walls or ceilings. They operated smoothly in practice: press a button, and the doors lift, making getting in and out easier than you’d expect. Still, the doors aren’t flawless. While testing the car with two small children, they didn’t always feel completely safe. On one occasion, a closing door meant we had to move a child’s head out of the way — the sensors didn’t seem ready to step in. That said, buyers can opt for conventional doors. The vehicle also comes in more subdued colors. For owners wanting more spectacle, the HT offers a choreographed audio-visual “light show” for onlookers — a gimmick Tesla enthusiasts will recognize.

On the inside

When I climbed in, the HT felt roomy and inviting. The cabin leaned into luxury with orange Napa leather and a high-quality finish front and rear. Large windows and a skylight integrated into the gullwing doors bathed the interior in light. With a 2,935 mm wheelbase — the longest in its category — the rear seat felt spacious enough for three adults, though taller riders may avoid the center position, where the roofline dips a touch. Rear occupants also get some pampering I tried myself: seatbacks that recline to 143 degrees, a fold-out footrest on the left, and a tray table on the right that wouldn’t be out of place in a Rolls-Royce.

Up front, I sampled the ventilated seats and the 10-point massage system, which includes five programs. I could even select which area of my back got extra attention. As is common now, most functions are managed through a central display. The car has a 14.6-inch touchscreen that handles climate, drive modes, and safety features. It looks polished, but adjusting basic things like the air conditioning involved diving into menus. I also found turning off the driver-assist systems both fiddly and irritating.

Behind the wheel

The driver’s area itself was pleasant. The steering wheel called to mind an Aston Martin DBX, and visibility was strong all around. Seat comfort was excellent too, making it a vehicle I felt I could drive for long stretches without tiring. There was also ample storage. That said, a few details could use refinement. The central air vent never seemed to catch the right angle, and the wireless phone charger was unreliable, frequently stopping the charge mid-session. I resorted to plugging in a cable instead.

Driving experience

On the motorway, the HT was notably smooth and hushed. Even at triple-digit speeds, wind and road noise were minimal, leaving the cabin feeling cocooned. GAC claims a WLTP range of 323 miles, which should be sufficient to travel from Los Angeles to Las Vegas on a single charge. It’s a big vehicle, so treating it like a sporty sedan didn’t make sense. Even so, it was very quick, particularly in sport mode, as many EVs are. When a corner tightened unexpectedly, the HT held its composure, with steering that provided a reassuringly precise response.

The verdict

In China, the top-spec Hyptec HT is priced at 285,900 yuan, or $40,100, a bit higher than the Tesla Model Y’s 263,500 yuan sticker. That positions it firmly in premium-EV territory, but it offers the equipment to justify that — notably the gullwing doors and limousine-like rear seating. The model debuted in China in 2023 and later rolled out in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand. GAC plans to expand into Europe next. With a Brazilian plant expected to open in 2026, the company is signaling its ambition to be a leading contender in the global EV market.