SAIC-GM moved quickly after a Chinese regulator’s database leak, releasing the first official images of the all-new 2026 Buick Electra E7 PHEV. Positioned as the brand’s next electrified crossover for China, it joins the Electra NEV family. The swift reveal neatly keeps the narrative in Buick’s hands.

The Electra E7 becomes the third entry in the refreshed Electra lineup, which now spans PHEV, EREV, and BEV formats. It follows the Electra L7 sedan and the Electra Encasa minivan. This new crossover targets the most popular slice of the market, where buyers increasingly view hybrids as a practical middle ground between combustion engines and full EVs—a pragmatic bullseye for today’s demand.

A headline feature is its advanced semi-autonomous driving suite built on Momenta R6 algorithms. For the first time for Buick in this segment, a LiDAR unit is integrated into the roof above the windshield, a move intended to sharpen the precision of driver aids and widen their functionality. Seeing LiDAR in a mainstream Buick signals a serious push to raise day-to-day confidence in the assist systems.

The hybrid powertrain will be offered in two setups. Top trims pair a 1.5-liter turbo engine with an electric motor for a combined 280 kW (375 hp). Base versions use a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter unit, delivering a total of 237 kW (317 hp). Two battery choices are planned, aimed at extending range and boosting overall efficiency. The lineup neatly covers both performance-leaning and value-focused buyers.

The 2026 Buick Electra E7 PHEV will make its official debut in the first quarter in China, with production focused exclusively on the Asian market. The E7 makes clear that, in China, Buick is betting on sophisticated hybrids over pure EVs—an approach that aligns closely with what many mainstream buyers want right now.