China’s automotive industry is rapidly advancing, often surpassing the West in delivering well-made and affordable cars. In Europe, the affordable car segment is dominated by the Dacia brand, a rebranded Renault that suffers from severe cost-cutting measures, resulting in a vile ownership proposition. Bizzarly, this formula proves successful, providing a no-frills, budget-friendly alternative for those seeking affordability.

In contrast, China’s budget alternatives are approaching near-premium brand quality, frequently costing less than half the price. A prime example is the Geely Boyue Cool Friends, showcasing how Chinese automakers are bridging the gap and delivering impressive value in the automotive market.

The interior features a Featuring a 10.25-inch full LCD instrument panel, a ultra high resolution 13.2-inch vertical central control screen. The software expeirence is pwered by a built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chip and the Geely Galaxy OS Air operating system supporting the now standard Over-The-Air (OTA) updates, and seamless voice recognition GPS navigation.

For sale in China only, The Boyue Cool Friends Edition is available for 99,800 yuan (approximately 14,000 USD). Among the Boyue Cool models, which currently comprise a total of six variations, including the Friends Edition, prices range from 99,800 to 125,800 yuan (approximately 14,000 to 17,700 USD).

Power is supplied by Geely’s Jinqing 1.5-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 178bhp (133 kW) and a peak torque of 290 Nm that is combined with a 7-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). The 0-62mph performance is rated at 7.9 seconds, while maintaining an efficient WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption rate of 44mpg (6.44L/100km).