Li Auto i8 reveals interior images amid criticism over lack of innovation, facing strong competition from ONVO L90’s premium design.
Li Auto is accelerating the promotion of its i8.
On the morning of July 15, official interior renderings of the Li Auto i8 were released. Though only a few images were shown, they clearly reveal several key sections such as the driver’s seat and second-row area.
From these renderings, the interior design of the i8 follows the established style of Li Auto’s L series, but with some detail-level adjustments.
In fact, some interior spy shots were leaked days earlier, with some auto bloggers criticizing the i8’s design for being “lacking in innovation” and “repetitive.”
Of course, one key reason for that impression might be the poor quality of the leaked photos.
Compared to the grainy spy shots, the newly released official renders show a huge improvement in texture and more accurately highlight the i8’s new design changes. But is this enough to satisfy eager fans?
Still “Li Auto’s Home”
Shortly after the release of the official images, Li Xiang responded on social media to recent controversies.
Addressing the criticism around innovation, he stated, “We don’t innovate for the sake of innovation, but always based on real needs of every family member,” and described the i8’s interior style as “a relaxing home.”
So, is the i8’s design really as thoughtful as Li Xiang claims?
At the very least, its overall atmosphere stays consistent with the L series, but it also looks younger. The front row still features a dual-screen setup and retains the driver-side display, meaning existing Li Auto users will face minimal learning curve.
Notably, the i8 will be Li Auto’s first model to offer a white steering wheel. Diffuse ambient lighting on the door panels adds to the sense of freshness. A hidden detail not shown in the renders is the switch to fully electric air vents—manual vents are officially gone.
Behind the steering wheel sits a new speaker, absent in previous models, potentially improving the driver’s audio experience.
In the second row, you’ll notice design tweaks to the door handles and manual sunshades. A closer look reveals that only the seat on the right side comes with an electric leg rest, confirming that the i8 doesn’t equip both rear seats with zero-gravity mode—one of the recent hot topics online.
Additional leaks suggest that both front seatbacks come with tray tables, and the second-row fridge will be wrapped in soft white trim matching the overall interior.
The third row wasn’t spotlighted in the official images, but from what is visible, the seat size seems on par with the second row. However, the headroom appears limited.
Auto blogger “飞机先生” mentioned the third row feels underwhelming, with hard materials along the window sill and floor, resulting in a noticeable downgrade in perceived quality when moving from the second to the third row.
The i8’s interior will likely offer other color schemes. The current white interior, according to some netizens, “isn’t ugly, but lacks novelty.”
The design criticism largely stems from the disconnect between the i8’s innovative exterior and its conservative interior. The exterior draws from the Li Auto MEGA’s “bullet train” aesthetics, exuding a futuristic vibe, while the cabin sticks closely to the familiar, mature feel of the L series.
It’s evident that the i8 is trying to offset this conservatism with color and material choices that lean younger and trendier—but the final result still falls short of matching the exterior’s futuristic theme.
Another reason for the criticism lies in direct comparisons with competitors.
Competitive Pressure
This July, the i8 isn’t alone in the “all-electric, full-size 6-seat SUV” category. ONVO’s L90 is also set to launch this month, with a pre-sale price of RMB 279,900 ($39,186), or RMB 193,900 ($27,146) with BaaS battery subscription.
ONVO L90’s interior has already been revealed, and display vehicles are arriving in stores. Naturally, this positions the L90 as the i8’s primary competitor, and their design differences are clearly evident.
Contrasting Styles
When it comes to fine details, the L90 sets a high bar that the i8 now must meet.
For example, ONVO uses more gold trims and wood finishes, adding a touch of luxury. The i8’s physical door handles contrast with the L90’s electric ones—neither is necessarily better, but electric options are certainly more on trend in the EV world.
Both cars feature second-row sunshades, but while the i8’s are manually operated, the L90 uses electric sunshades.
Controversy also surrounds the third row: while the i8 has been criticized for inconsistent quality, the L90 boasts full soft-touch materials, wood accents, and ambient lighting that flow through all three rows.
Still, the i8 has its strengths—such as extra tray tables in the second row and a passenger entertainment screen not found in the L90.
To be fair, comparisons based solely on renderings or spec sheets don’t capture the full picture.
Interior design is a comprehensive subject that includes functionality, design coherence, overall ambiance, even NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness). Ultimately, comfort must be judged in real-life experiences.
A good example is the MEGA’s outstanding NVH performance. If the i8 can inherit that quality, it would be a major win—but such things can’t be conveyed through images.
No Room for Error
At the core of this controversy is a changed market landscape. Consumers and media alike are now more critical—and less forgiving.
In the pure electric SUV segment, the Xiaomi YU7 stands out for its hype, while the ONVO L90 is lauded for its cost-performance ratio. The i8, positioned similarly, can’t escape direct comparison.
Moreover, as Li Auto’s first all-electric SUV—and a model that was delayed for a year—expectations are sky-high.
In a recent article by ChinaEVHome titled “How Should Li Auto Price the i8?”, the publication noted that Li Auto aims to sell 120,000 EVs this year. To meet this goal, the MEGA, i8, and upcoming i6 would need to deliver 19,000 units per month combined.
With the MEGA currently selling only around 2,000 units monthly, that leaves about 11,000 units to be split between the i8 and i6. Given that the i6 will launch at year’s end, expectations for the i8 are likely in the 5,000–7,000 range monthly.
But without a proper launch event, and with only a few renders available, the i8 currently gives off a “play-it-safe” impression. This raises the question: can caution alone ensure the i8’s commercial success?
The time is running out. If Li Auto wants to shift public opinion and exceed expectations, there are only two viable strategies:
- Disclose more product highlights soon and accelerate showroom rollouts to back up claims with real-world experience.
- Announce a price far below public expectations.
Which of these two do you think is more likely to succeed?
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