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First Drive: 2021 Imperium ET5

With sub-$45k price tag and near 400-kilometre range, Chinese electric vehicle poised to shake up Canadian EV market

Andrew McCredie
Aug 03, 2021  •  August 11, 2021  •  5 minute read  •  Join the conversation
The all-electric Imperium ET5 is produced in China by Skywell Auto and if all goings according to plan will be available in select Canadian markets by the end of the year.
The all-electric Imperium ET5 is produced in China by Skywell Auto and if all goings according to plan will be available in select Canadian markets by the end of the year. Photo by Andrew McCredie

Unless you’ve been living under a Chevy big block for the past decade, you’ll know that automakers are going all in on the research, development, and production of electric vehicles. And nowhere is this more prevalent than in China, a nation that accounts for one-third of all global EV sales. So it wasn’t a question of if, but when, a Chinese EV would jump the Pacific and be available to Canadian consumers. If all goes according to plan, that milestone event could well be by the end of this year. Imperium Motors Canada has worked out a deal with Skyworth Motors in China to bring in that company’s all-electric SUV called the ET5. I had the chance to be the first North American journalist to drive the ET5, and while it wasn’t a multi-day test, my time behind the wheel did provide some insights into this interesting vehicle. For a number of years Imperium has been selling all-electric scooters, buses, mid-speed and low-speed vehicles throughout North America. The ET5 is the first passenger vehicle Imperium is bringing into Canada.

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My first impression of the ET5 as I pulled into a Langley parking lot to meet up with Imperium Motors Canada president Christian Dubois was that it didn’t stand out from the numerous smaller SUVs that were parked nearby. In fact, on closer inspection it borrows quite a few styling cues from European and Japanese models, particularly in the front headlights (hello Acura and Volvo) and the front grille. Given its provenance, I was expecting something a little more ‘Chinese,’ though to be honest I’m not sure what that means exactly. The only indicators that the ET5 is of Chinese origin are the Chinese characters on the 12.8-inch infotainment screen. The model I drove was a pre-production version, and Dubois said the company is working on integrating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to work with the ET5’s 4G network. Other changes for the on-sale model include swapping out of the ‘Skywell’ badging on the steering wheel and rear taillight array for ‘Imperium’.

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Other than that, the ET5 I drove is identical to the one Canadian consumers can reserve today on the company’s website . Once there you’ll see pricing is to be announced, but Dubois pegged the before-rebate/incentive MSRP at $37,995 for the base model (dubbed the LV1) and $44,995 for premium LV3 edition. It was the latter equipped version I drove.

  1. The headlights have a distinct 'Acura' look to them.
    The headlights have a distinct 'Acura' look to them. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  2. The SUV borrows some styling cues from European automakers, in particular the wraparound rear taillight array.
    The SUV borrows some styling cues from European automakers, in particular the wraparound rear taillight array. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  3. The side view gives you a good sense of just how big those rear doors are.
    The side view gives you a good sense of just how big those rear doors are. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  4. Charging ports are located on both front fenders.
    Charging ports are located on both front fenders. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  5. If you look closely, there is a definite Thor's Hammer — ala Volvo — in the ET5's headlight design.
    If you look closely, there is a definite Thor's Hammer — ala Volvo — in the ET5's headlight design. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  6. The ET5 will be available in a base and luxury trim in Canada.
    The ET5 will be available in a base and luxury trim in Canada. Photo by Andrew McCredie

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As mentioned, the ET5 does not look out of place in a suburban Vancouver mall, and once you climb into the driver’s seat that sense of ‘normalcy’ remains. To the point that, how shall we say, the ‘appropriation’ of other automakers’ designs can be found in the cabin too, with some of the switch gear and speaker covers direct knock offs of well-known German luxury makers. As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

But the ET5 has plenty of bona fides all its own, from very comfortable and well-bolstered front seats to a massive rear seating area that NBA players could stretch out in. And while there is no frunk under the hood (unusual for an EV), the rear cargo area is quite large. Speaking of big, the panoramic sunroof will be the largest in class when the ET5 comes to market.

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As to the displays and controls, the ET5’s will be familiar to Canadian drivers. Steering-wheel mounted controls work the audio system and phone connectivity; a dial gear selector and parking brake toggle are located on the floor-mounted centre console — as are those aforementioned Benz-like climate control switches— and a digital driver display provides a number of settings, from gauges to numerical readouts to EV-related information. The flat-bottomed steering wheel with meaty grips and stitched leather wrapping certainly punches above the price range of the ET5, as does the premium quality feel of the cabin all-around.

  1. The clean and uncluttered dashboard of the ET5.
    The clean and uncluttered dashboard of the ET5. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  2. Well-bolstered seats typify the creature comforts of this all-electric SUV.
    Well-bolstered seats typify the creature comforts of this all-electric SUV. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  3. Sport utilities built in China typically have loads of rear legroom as many Chinese have drivers, and the ET5 is no exception.
    Sport utilities built in China typically have loads of rear legroom as many Chinese have drivers, and the ET5 is no exception.  Photo by Andrew McCredie
  4. The flat-bottomed steering wheel.
    The flat-bottomed steering wheel. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  5. Mercedes-Benz switchwork — and possibly the stichwork — are mimicked in the ET5.
    Mercedes-Benz switchwork — and possibly the stichwork — are mimicked in the ET5. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  6. Hmmmm, those speaker covers look familiar too.
    Hmmmm, those speaker covers look familiar too. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  7. One oddity with the ET5 is that unlike most all-electric SUVs, it doesn't have a frunk.
    One oddity with the ET5 is that unlike most all-electric SUVs, it doesn't have a frunk. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  8. No frunk but lots of room for cargo in the rear.
    No frunk but lots of room for cargo in the rear. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  9. The Chinese symbols on the infotainment screen are the only giveaway that this is a made-in-China vehicle. Final production models for Canada will have English and French language screens.
    The Chinese symbols on the infotainment screen are the only giveaway that this is a made-in-China vehicle. Final production models for Canada will have English and French language screens. Photo by Andrew McCredie
  10. Easy access to the well-appointed cockpit.
    Easy access to the well-appointed cockpit. Photo by Andrew McCredie

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Now, about that electric powertrain. The two available battery packs are 55.3 kWh (LVO) and 71.9 kWh (LV3), with New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) range estimates of 410 km and 520 respectively. Note that North American range estimates compared to the Euro-NEDC figures are typically about 25 per cent lower. Still, even at a full quarter lower, the ranges are in the low 300s to high 300s — very competitive given the price point. Both batteries come with a thermal management system and the gearbox is a single-stage reducer driving the front wheels. All-wheel drive is not offered. As to power output, Imperium Motors figures cite 204 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.

In terms of charging capabilities — utilizing charge ports located on either side of the front fenders, a la Audi e-trons — there is fast-charging capability at 70 kW, with Imperium predicting a 380V charge from 30 per cent to 80 per cent will take 30 minutes. There is a standard 6.6-kW onboard charger, with Level 2 charging taking nine hours on the smaller battery and 11 hours on the larger pack. There are no manually operated regenerative battery settings, however the company pegs energy recovery at 30 per cent from the preset regen system.

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Both ET5 models come with a number of safety and driving assistance features, including advanced braking, traction control, and the higher trim includes advanced driving tech such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, hill descent control, and automatic emergency braking.

The pre-production model we drove is badged Skywell but ET5s sold here will have Imperium badging.
The pre-production model we drove is badged Skywell but ET5s sold here will have Imperium badging. Photo by Andrew McCredie

So, how does it drive? Well, as noted I didn’t get a lot of seat time, but just enough for some city driving and a spirited run up and down Highway 1 between Langley and Abbotsford. As you’d surmise from that just over 200-hp output rating, the ET5 isn’t going to win any EV drag races, but its zero to 100 km/h sprint in 7.6 seconds is respectable and I never felt like I wanted more power when I was merging onto the highway or pulling out in the passing lane. That said, it was just Dubois and I in the vehicle and with no cargo. That power might be an issue when full of people and gear for a road trip. Steering was surprisingly firm, more in line with a sport mode setting than a normal setting, and braking and handling passed the test during my limited test run.

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Of course, the big question is whether or not Canadian consumers will be confident in buying a Chinese EV, given the complete lack of a track record and some, fair or not, inherent skepticism about the Chinese auto-manufacturing industry. However, it is worth noting that all Polestar 2s sold in North America are built in China, and as one listener of the Plugged In podcast episode featuring Christian Dubois noted, “every smartphone I’ve ever owned was made in China and I have no complaints.”

As I’ve often mentioned when discussing the EV Revolution, it is and will be a fascinating journey, and the Imperium ET5 adds a new and intriguing story to that trip.

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