At Auto Guangzhou 2025 – once again the final major auto show of the year – more than 1,000 vehicles were displayed, and two-thirds of them were new energy vehicles. The event is not so big as the Shanghai or Beijing shows earlier in the year, but still a good opportunity to check the trends and evolutions in the Chinese market.
This year a few global luxury brands were absent, which made it easier to focus on the mass-market brands. Domestic Chinese brand booths were filled with affordable vehicles, many of them highlighting a major industry shift: the cabin is no longer just a place to sit and drive; increasingly it is a third living space.
Chinese automakers are increasingly designing car interiors with a focus on comfort, modernity and the ambiance of a home living room. All-black cabins have nearly disappeared (good!). Instead, warm tones like beige and ochre create a more relaxing atmosphere.
Minimalist design, large screens, and ambiant lighting create a sensation of luxury and modernity in nearly every Chinese brand.
Seats aren’t simple padded chairs any more. They have become sophisticated systems with multiple features, like zero-gravity postures, heat and ventilation, and even simulated hot-stone massage functions. Booth displays featured everything from ‘nap mode’ setups to cinema-style recliners and camping-inspired seating.
The new Buick Electra ZhiJing MPV (priced at the equivalent of USD $23,900 and $30,400) is an example of this wellness-centric approach: a 21-inch 4K motorized rear screen descends from the roof, paired with 18-point hot-stone massage seats and zero-gravity recliners.
The MPV segment continues to innovate with spatial flexibility. Geely’s Galaxy V900, for instance, offers 6-, 7-, and 8-seat configurations. The new ‘Magic 4th Row’ (in the 8-seater) can flip forward for passenger use, backward for panoramic viewing, or fold away entirely to maximize cargo space. Third-row seats in all variants support up to 180° one-touch recline (6- and 8-seaters) or 137° adjustability (7-seater).
Auto Guangzhou 2025 confirmed the silent revolution happening inside the cabin. As Chinese brands ably balance technology, comfort, and price, the car interior is becoming less about driving, and more about wellness and pleasure in the ‘third living place’.
