The Chinese car market in Russia is experiencing a real boom, and among the many new products, the one that stands out is Voyah Free in the series hybrid version known as EVR. This car attracts attention not only with its futuristic design, but also with its unique power plant for our market, which is formally an electric car, but does not require charging from an outlet. Potential buyers are concerned about many questions: how the car behaves in winter, whether the battery “dies” in the cold and what is the real fuel consumption in traffic jams.
Many reviews about Voyah Free EVR are polar in nature, which is typical for the first mass deliveries of complex equipment. Some praise the dynamics and comfort, comparing the interior with premium German brands, others complain about the “crude” software and difficulties in adapting to Russian realities. To get an objective picture, it is necessary to separate marketing promises from the actual operation that first owners face in different climate zones.
In this article we will analyze the technical nuances in detail, collect complaints and praise first-hand, and also evaluate the prospects for service Voyah Free in the long term. We will pay special attention to the operation of the gasoline generator, since it is this unit that raises the most questions among those who are switching from classic internal combustion engines or pure electric cars.
EREV powerplant: how it works in practice
Main feature of the model Free is technology EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle). The engines here rotate the wheels, and the 1.5-liter gasoline turbo engine acts solely as an electricity generator. Owners note that the driving experience is as close as possible to a pure electric car: instant response to the gas pedal, no jerking when changing gears and silence in the cabin at low speeds.
However, actual operation makes its own adjustments. When the charge of the high-voltage battery drops below a certain level, the internal combustion engine turns on. Forum users often write that in severe frosts or when driving aggressively on the highway at high speeds fuel consumption may be an unpleasant surprise. The petrol unit operates at constant speed to produce current, and if power consumption is high, it may howl at a high pitch, which reduces acoustic comfort.
It's worth noting that the energy management system is quite smart, but not without its quirks. For example, in mode Smart the car itself decides when to store energy and when to give it to the motors. In mode Electric the machine tries to conserve charge by starting the generator only when it is deeply discharged. Understanding the logic of how these modes work does not come immediately, and many drivers simply experiment with the settings during the first weeks.
For maximum efficiency in the city, keep the battery charge above 30%, and on the highway, switch to hybrid mode in advance, before the high-voltage battery is completely discharged.
Operation in winter: myths and reality
The winter period is the main stress test for any electrified vehicle, and Voyah Free was no exception. Owners from Siberia and the Urals agree: the car is capable of driving at minus 30-35 degrees, but with reservations. The main advantage of the hybrid scheme is the presence of an internal combustion engine, which produces excess heat. This heat is effectively used to warm the interior and, critically, to warm the battery.
Unlike pure electric cars, where the range in winter can drop by 40-50%, Voyah Free EVR losses are compensated by the operation of the generator. However, there is a caveat: warm-up time. In order for the system to begin efficiently delivering power and recuperating, the battery needs to be warmed up. In extreme cold, this may take 10-15 minutes of idling or driving slowly.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to accelerate sharply or actively use Sport mode immediately after starting at -30°C. Allow the battery thermal control system to reach operating mode, otherwise you risk experiencing power limitation and reduced cell life.
The preheating system works through a mobile application, but here users often encounter communication problems. If the servers are unavailable or the signal is weak, you will not be able to warm up the car remotely. In this case, all that remains is a standard timer or manual start, which is a significant disadvantage for a modern crossover of this class.
Electronics and software: pains of owners
Salon Voyah Free greets the owner with three huge screens that can be physically lowered and raised. It looks impressive, but it is the software part that causes the most complaints in reviews. Interface localization is not always done correctly: there are clumsy translations, fonts can float, and menus can slow down when switching between applications.
A particular pain point is the voice assistant and multimedia. Despite claims to support the Russian language, the system often accepts commands with errors or completely ignores them. Many functions available in the Chinese version may be reduced or blocked in the Russian specification. Over-the-air (OTA) updates are unstable, and owners are often forced to contact service centers to manually flash the units.
Hidden options of the engineer menu
In the developer menu, you can disable some restrictions on the speed of raising screens and change the logic of the backlight, but entry there is carried out through a secret combination of presses that dealers do not advertise.
Operation stability ADAS (driver assistance systems) also varies. Cameras and radars work well, but calibration may be lost after replacing the windshield or even after strong shaking on a bad road. Owners complain about false alarms from the emergency braking system, which forces many to disable these functions after the first weeks of use.
Fuel consumption and range: real-life figures
One of the main questions that interests buyers: what is the real cost? The figures of 1-2 liters declared by the manufacturer are relevant only in ideal conditions of short trips on a charged battery. In reality, when the battery is discharged and only the generator is running, the numbers are different. For a city with traffic jams, the average is 9-11 liters per 100 km, and on the highway at a speed of 120-130 km/h, consumption can rise to 12-14 liters.
This is quite comparable with powerful gasoline competitors, but taking into account the fact that Voyah Free weighs more than 2.2 tons, the result can be considered worthy. The range on a full tank and a charged battery actually reaches 600-700 km, which is an excellent indicator for long journeys where there is no need to look for charging stations.
| Driving mode | Average consumption (l/100 km) | Cruising range (km) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| City (traffic) | 9.0 - 10.5 | ~650 | Frequent recovery |
| Route (110 km/h) | 10.0 - 11.5 | ~600 | Uniform load |
| Route (130+ km/h) | 12.5 - 14.0 | ~500 | Generator high noise |
| Mixed cycle | 10.5 - 11.5 | ~580 | Optimal mode |
Saving fuel on Voyah Free only makes sense if you have the ability to charge from a nightly outlet. In pure hybrid mode, savings are achieved through urban recuperation.
Suspension, handling and comfort
The crossover is built on a platform with double wishbones at the front and a multi-link at the rear. Top versions have air suspension, which allows you to change the ground clearance. Reviews praise the smoothness of the ride: the car perfectly “swallows” small irregularities and asphalt joints. However, at high speeds and during sudden lane changes, the high center of gravity and solid mass affect it.
There is roll in corners, but it is predictable. Electronics help stabilize the car, but physics is physics - this is not a sports car. The brakes, thanks to recuperation, wear out more slowly, but you need to get used to the brake pedal: at the beginning of the stroke it may seem “wobbly”, since the electric motor works first, and then the physical pads are connected.
- 🚗 Air bags They perfectly compensate for the loading of the cabin, but require careful attention to the cleanliness of the rods in winter.
- 🔋 Recovery has several levels of settings, allowing you to choose between “one pedal” mode and free coasting.
- 🛡️ Noise insulation made at a high level, double glass effectively cuts off external sounds, except for the operation of the generator.
Typical problems and “childhood diseases”
Like any new car, Voyah Free is not without its shortcomings. In addition to the software, owners note the (quality) of some interior materials. The plastic looks expensive, but can creak when temperature changes. Electrics also bring surprises: door locks may open spontaneously or tire pressure sensors may malfunction.
Service maintenance still remains a bottleneck. There are few spare parts in dealer warehouses, and the wait for body parts or specific suspension parts can take from a month to three. This is an important factor to consider when purchasing, especially if you live in an area far from major cities.
☑️ Check before buying a used Voyah Free
⚠️ Attention: When purchasing a used car, be sure to check the condition of the high-voltage battery using a diagnostic scanner. A voltage variation between cells of more than 5% may indicate incipient problems that are not visible on the dashboard.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Voyah Free need to be charged from a wall outlet?
No, it's not necessary. The car is a series hybrid and generates its own electricity using a gasoline engine. Charging from the grid is only possible to save fuel if you have access to cheap electricity, but it is not necessary for driving.
What kind of gasoline is best to put into a generator?
The manufacturer recommends using AI-95 gasoline. Although the engine can run on 92 octane, for maximum efficiency and longevity of the turbine it is better to follow the recommendations and use high-quality 95 octane gasoline.
Are there any problems with spare parts in Russia?
The situation is improving, but consumables (filters, pads) are already available from the officials. Body parts and optics can be ordered from China from 3 to 8 weeks. It is recommended to purchase an additional set of filters and wiper blades immediately after purchase.
How does the car behave on the track with a low battery?
The dynamics remain good, but noise appears from the operation of the generator, which reaches high speeds to provide power to the electric motors. Fuel consumption in this mode is about 10-11 liters per 100 km at a speed of 110 km/h.