On November 1, the international version of the Star Road Moon vehicle was officially launched, with a price range of 228,900 to 238,900 yuan (33480$), and three versions of the vehicle. The new vehicle will continue to be equipped with a 2.0T engine + 8AT transmission, with a maximum torque of 400N·m. Today, we will test drive this model to experience the upgrades and changes of the international version of the Star Road Moon.
In terms of appearance, the international version of the Star Journey still adopts the family design style, but some changes have been made in some details, the biggest change is the use of a new octagonal intake grille, inside using horizontal decorative strips, it looks quite domineering.
The headlights feature a seamless design, with the center light strip illuminated when the headlights are turned on at night. The darkened design of the headlight eyebrows also reflects the car’s personalized style. In addition, chrome decorative strips have been added to the air intakes on both sides of the front bumper, adding a stylish touch to the car.
The side profile of the car has not changed much. It still has a continuous waistline design and traditional door handles. The dimensions of the car are 4970x1940x1792mm, with a wheelbase of 2900mm. The convenience of use is still very high.
The international version of the Starry Sky Moon’s tail design has not changed much, still retaining the continuous tail light design, effectively increasing the sense of hierarchy. The rear bumper has added a chrome trim for decoration, and is equipped with a dual-sided dual exhaust layout, with the vertical reflectors on both sides also being retained.
The interior design has not changed much, mainly reflected in some details, such as the addition of all-black color, providing more choices for consumers. In addition, the new car’s dual wireless charging panel also features a faux suede decoration, with a maximum power of up to 50W.
Despite being a fuel SUV, the car uses a two-spoke steering wheel, paired with bronze decorations and a multi-functional touch panel, as well as a spacious dashboard, enhancing the luxury of the entire interior. The steering wheel also retains shift paddles, effectively enhancing the driving pleasure of the vehicle.
The international version of the Starry Sky Moon retains the three-screen design, with a 12.3-inch LCD instrument panel displaying a variety of driving information, including vehicle speed, driving mode, engine speed, entertainment information, navigation information, and range. The clarity of the display is very high. The HUD head-up display is also very useful. When navigation is not activated, the HUD can display vehicle speed and engine speed information. When navigation is activated, the HUD can display navigation information, including text and dynamic images, with good clarity.
The central control screen will use the Lion5.0 system, and the UI design of the entire screen is very user-friendly. The layered applications are also well done, and commonly used functions can be found at the bottom of the screen. The screen supports functions such as online navigation, online entertainment, mobile connectivity, voice interaction, and OTA upgrades, which can fully meet our daily needs.
The new car’s intelligent driving system can be selected and set on the screen, and the interface is simple and easy to understand. In addition, the vehicle’s air conditioning, seats, and other functions are also on the screen, controllable by voice or touch, with a high-tech feel.
The central channel position still retains the sliding cover, and the wireless charging panel for the phone underneath uses a suede-like material, which looks more advanced and feels very good. The maximum power of the phone’s wireless charging panel is 50W, and a cooling vent is designed at the bottom to prevent the phone from heating up even during long charging times.
A small touch panel is designed at the rear, integrating vehicle one-click start, hazard lights, air conditioning fan adjustment, front and rear window defogging, and internal and external circulation control. It may take some time to get used to it at first, but the overall luxurious feel is still excellent.
The car we test drove today is the 6-seater international version of the Star Road Moon Grasp. The seat configuration is also quite rich, with the front seats equipped with not only electric adjustment, but also seat heating, ventilation, memory, massage and other functions. At the same time, speakers are also set inside the headrests for clearer and more specific music playback or road condition reports.
The second row features two individual seats with electric adjustment, which can comfortably accommodate passengers in the second and even third row. The seats are comfortable even for long journeys.
The third row seats also have two separate seats, the softness of the seat cushion is also very good, not as thin as imagined, and the head and leg space is acceptable. The backrest is also a 5/5 design, all manually adjustable, with average back support.
The international version of the Xingtu Lanyue model has no changes in power, still consistent with the current models on sale, using a 2.0T engine with a maximum power of 261 horsepower and a maximum torque of 400N·m, paired with an 8AT transmission.
When we take this car on the road, the first thing that impresses us is not how powerful the engine is, but the suspension tuning. The international version of the Star Road Moon Rover, as a 6/7-seater model, has a soft suspension tuning, which can handle road bumps well and increase the comfort of the occupants.
In terms of power, the new car is equipped with a four-wheel drive system, so even in economy and comfort mode, the power performance is quite good, and the response time of the accelerator pedal is also relatively fast. When we switch to sport mode, there is a noticeable change in the vehicle’s shifting speed, and the feeling of shifting is also more pronounced, coupled with the use of paddle shifters, which maximizes the driving pleasure of the vehicle.
At 80km/h, the vehicle controls wind and tire noise very well, but at speeds over 100km/h, wind noise increases noticeably, though still acceptable. Tire noise and chassis performance are excellent, with no noticeable sound.
In terms of handling, despite its large size, the steering wheel of this car is very responsive, making it easy to handle even when changing lanes or operating with one hand. The turning radius of the vehicle is average when making turns, but the higher body allows for better visibility. The new car’s smart driving performance is also quite satisfactory, including useful features such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and rear cross-traffic alert, which greatly alleviate fatigue when driving at high speeds and to some extent, enhance the safety of the vehicle. Conclusion: As a family-oriented SUV model, the Star Road International Edition excels in exterior, interior technology, interior materials, smart driving performance, and space, achieving a leading level in its price range. After all, the price range of this car is 22.89-23.89 million yuan, so it still has strong market competitiveness. So, as a dad, would you consider this mid-sized SUV?