AVATR 07 Ultra Review: More Than Just A Parking Party Trick

It's no secret that the AVATR 07 Ultra variant here has the best self-parking system on sale today; even fellow journalists from other local publications couldn't stop talking about it.

And fair enough. Watching a car identify a parking space, calculate its approach and then slot itself neatly into position remains oddly satisfying. In Singapore, where some drivers approach parking lots with all the confidence of a contestant on a reality survival show, it almost feels like a public service.

But once you've shown off that feature to your family, friends, neighbours and perhaps the curious uncle at the coffee shop, another question emerges: What happens when you're actually driving it? Because a car is, ultimately, judged by what it does between parking spaces.

Aesthetically Speaking

For years, some manufacturers appeared to treat luxury like a buffet; if a little was good, then surely more had to be better. More screens, lights, features; just more everything.

The AVATR 07 Ultra, however, feels refreshingly different - it doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary dramatics. Instead, it exudes the sort of poise usually associated with brands that have spent decades perfecting their craft.

The proportions are spot on - long wheelbase, short overhangs and sweeping roofline give it a planted, athletic stance that stands out in a sea of bulbous electric SUVs. Park it next to a Tesla Model Y and the AVATR immediately looks like the more expensive machine. Place it beside an Xpeng G6 and you'll notice just how much attention has gone into its detailing and surfacing.

Even among newer premium EVs such as the Zeekr 7X and Deepal S07, the AVATR carries itself with a sense of sophistication that feels distinctly… upmarket. It's sleek without being flashy; heck, to a certain extent even elegant without trying too hard.

And that's harder to achieve than most people realise.

The Inside Story

The biggest surprise isn't the technology, though - it's the quality. The moment you close the door, you're greeted by a reassuring solidity that many buyers still instinctively associate with German luxury brands.

The dashboard materials feel rich, the stitching is neatly executed and the switchgear operates with precision. Even the smaller touchpoints feel, well, thoughtfully engineered. And how can you not notice the two front seats? Looking as though they were taken off the set of Star Wars; comfortable and supportive, they are.

Five years ago, saying a Chinese EV could rival established German marques for perceived quality might have raised a few eyebrows. Today however, the AVATR 07 Ultra makes that statement entirely believable.

In some areas, it arguably goes a step further: While some European brands continue their obsession with burying simple functions deep within complicated menus, the AVATR's interface feels remarkably intuitive. Controls are easier to locate, responses are quicker and the entire operating system simply makes sense. Imagine that - technology designed around people instead of the other way around.

The result? A cabin that feels modern without becoming frustrating. And that, increasingly, is a luxury in itself.

There is, however, one piece of technology that I still struggle to embrace.

The 07 Ultra here replaces conventional wing mirrors with digital side mirrors, their compact external camera stalks protruding from the doors like a pair of futuristic horns. Visually, they look undeniably cool; tech enthusiasts will probably love them as they make the AVATR appear even more concept-car-like than it already does.

But here's where I might be swimming against the tide: I still don't like them.

The issue isn't image quality. The displays mounted near the A-pillars are sharp, bright and remain usable in varying lighting conditions - the technology itself works exactly as intended.

The problem is that after more than two decades of reviewing cars, my brain is still hardwired to glance outside the side window whenever I want to check what's beside me - that's where wing mirrors have always been. That's where generations of drivers instinctively expect them to be.

Instead, the AVATR asks you to shift your focus inward towards a screen located inside the cabin. Even after spending nearly half a week with the car, it never felt completely natural.

And no, I don't think this is a case of an old dog refusing to learn new tricks. If anything, it highlights how deeply ingrained certain driving habits are: Traditional mirrors sit exactly where your eyes and peripheral vision expect them to be. Relocating that visual information to inside the cabin introduces an extra mental step that can occasionally feel disorientating, particularly during lane changes and in heavier traffic.

Some owners may adapt within days; others may eventually prefer it. I wasn't one of them.

In fact, if AVATR offered me the option of specifying conventional mirrors on the Ultra, I'd probably tick that box without hesitation. Sometimes, the best technology is the kind you barely notice.

The Difference Between Max And Ultra

Sounds like comparing two different iPhone variants, eh? That said, the AVATR 07 Max is already an impressive package.

You still get the striking exterior design, spacious interior and much of the technology that defines the AVATR experience. But the Ultra feels like the version where the engineers were finally allowed to remove the compromises.

The standout upgrade is undoubtedly the air suspension. On paper, it may sound like another item on a lengthy specification sheet; but on the road, it transforms the car. Significantly, if I may.

Singapore roads are generally excellent… Until they aren't. Expansion joints on expressways, uneven surfaces all thanks to never ending roadworks, and the occasional potholes can quickly expose weaknesses in a vehicle's suspension tuning.

The AVATR 07 Ultra? It simply shrugs them off. The air suspension delivers a level of composure that's genuinely impressive for a vehicle in this segment. Sharp impacts are softened, larger undulations are absorbed with ease and the cabin remains serenely calm even when the road surface isn't. More importantly, it doesn't float about like an old money barge.

Body control remains tight and disciplined, allowing the AVATR to maintain its composure through faster corners while preserving ride comfort. It's one of those features you don't fully appreciate until you spend several hours behind the wheel; then you realise you're arriving at your destination noticeably less tired.

That is what genuine luxury feels like.

Driving It

Modern EVs often seem determined to demonstrate their acceleration credentials at every opportunity. The AVATR takes a more mature approach.

With 590 bhp, 645 Nm and a 0-100 km/h timing of 4.4 seconds, yes, it's quick even despite the all-wheel drive system that leads to a 2.4-tonne kerbweight. Very quick, there’s no denying that; but it never feels like it's trying to impress you.

Power delivery is smooth, progressive and effortless. Whether you're pulling away from a traffic light, overtaking on the PIE or joining fast-moving traffic along the MCE, the car responds instantly without drama.

The steering is accurate, the chassis feels well balanced and despite its size, the AVATR never feels cumbersome around town.

Ok fine, so it won't replace a sports car. Nor should it - because its objective is different. The 07's mission is to make every journey feel easier than the last. And I must say it succeeds, brilliantly.

The danger with a car like the 07 Ultra is that people become fixated on the technology: The self-parking system, displays, software and gadgets. Yet after spending meaningful time with the car, those become secondary.

What stands out is how cohesive the entire package feels. The design is distinctive without being polarising, cabin is luxurious without being intimidating too. The technology? Advanced without becoming complicated.

Top it off with a driving experience that strikes an excellent balance between comfort, refinement and usability.

In A Nutshell

The AVATR 07 Ultra arrives in Singapore at a time when buyers are spoiled for choice - the Tesla Model Y remains the default option, Xpeng’s G6 offers tremendous value and the Zeekr 7X impresses with its luxury credentials. Let’s not forget the new BMW iX3 that continues to attract traditional premium buyers.

Yet, the AVATR manages to carve out its own identity. It feels like a luxury SUV designed by people who genuinely understand what luxury buyers want: Comfort, elegance, quality, technology and ease of use.

The self-parking system may be the feature that gets everyone talking. But after living with the car, you'll realise that's merely the… opening act.

For professionals seeking something more distinctive than the usual German offerings, tech-savvy buyers who appreciate thoughtful innovation, and families looking for a genuinely premium electric SUV, the AVATR 07 Ultra deserves to sit very near the top of the shortlist.

A genuinely excellent car. But I’m still unsure about those digital wing mirrors…

Photos by Azfar Hashim (@azfar.talks).

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