With innovative features like auto parking and gaming cockpits, smart EVs are capturing the hearts of young buyers. Here’s a language guide to buying your first car in China.
In the eyes of today’s youth, a car is no longer just a means of transportation. It’s a smartphone, a smart home on wheels, and even a mobile sanctuary—a 避世小天堂 (bìshì xiǎo tiāntáng, “little hideaway”)—where they can escape the noise, unwind, and find a slice of freedom.
With their eco-friendly nature and a growing range of stylish designs, new energy vehicles (NEV, 新能源汽车 xīnnéngyuán qìchē) have become increasingly popular and appealing to fashion-forward young people in China. At the same time, government subsidies to consumers have further accelerated their rapid rise.
Compared to traditional gasoline vehicles (油车 yóuchē), electric vehicles (EVs, 电动汽车diàndòng qìchē) have also attracted fans with a plethora of smart functions like AI-powered voice assistants (语音助手 yǔyīn zhùshǒu), intelligent driving (智能驾驶 zhìnéng jiàshǐ), auto parking (自动泊车 zìdòng bóchē), and more.
As Gen Z enters the workforce, they’re also faced with a milestone: 人生第一辆车 (rénshēng dì yī liàng chē), or “the first car of their life.” Having grown up during a period of economic prosperity, they are well-acquainted with car culture—over 80 percent took their driving test during high school or college, according to a 2021 survey by market research firm Ipsos and video platform Bilibili.
Unlike previous generations, who often viewed certain car brands as status symbols, younger buyers favor vehicles that reflect their lifestyles and personalities, even seeking a deeper emotional connection and cultural significance.
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In addition, a range of innovative features has made these new models irresistible, including in-car karaoke (车内卡拉OK chēnèi kǎlā OK), in-car fragrance systems (车内香氛系统 chēnèi xiāngfēn xìtǒng), gaming cockpits (电竞座舱 diànjìng zuòcāng), and massage seats (按摩座椅 ànmó zuòyǐ).
On social media platforms like Xiaohongshu, many users share how they’ve customized personal 语音唤醒词 (yǔyīn huànxǐngcí, wake-up phrases) for their smart voice assistants, engage in 沉浸式布置新车 (chénjìnshì bùzhì xīn chē, immersive new-car deco setups), drive off on spontaneous after-work adventures, camp out in their cars, and even turn them into mobile coffee shops.
For today’s youth, connecting with a specific car brand or model is personal and intentional—even if their choices might appear unconventional to older generations:
The snacks at the dealership are delicious, and the salespeople are not only beautiful but also kindhearted.
4S店的零食好吃，销售人美心善。
The car’s color must be unique and stand out from the crowd.
车的颜色必须小众不撞款。
Some even consult metaphysics:
The car’s name sounds auspicious to me.
因为这车的名字吉利。
Its interior color matches my zodiac sign perfectly.
车的内饰颜色和我的星座非常匹配。
Some even ask DeepSeek, the AI language model, to recommend a car based on their bazi (八字, Four Pillars of Destiny), a Chinese astrological system that analyzes a person’s fate using the time of birth. A possible answer they get might be:
This model is perfect for you—its metallic body represents the Metal element, while its long-range battery embodies an Earth element, symbolizing stability.
这款车非常适合你：它的金属外壳代表金元素，长续航电池则象征土元素，寓意稳重与持久。
When it comes to picking a car, young buyers may prioritize personal style, but they still keep practicality in mind. To navigate this complex world, first-time buyers need to conquer the sophisticated terminology related to EVs. Key factors to consider include the number and distribution of charging stations (充电桩 chōngdiànzhuāng), the vehicle’s driving range (续航xùháng), the level of smart features, and the overall driving experience.
However, once you settle on the perfect model, reality sets in. You’ll need to navigate practical terms like vehicle purchase tax (车辆购置税 chēliàng gòuzhìshuì), on-the-road price (落地价luòdìjià), and service fee (服务费 fúwùfèi) while negotiating with car dealers. With countless obscure terms, hidden costs, and insider tricks, buying a car can quickly become a daunting challenge.
After familiarizing yourself with these terms, the next step is to visit a car dealership. Negotiating with an actual dealer can be an artful process in securing the best deal. Outsmarting slick, experienced salespeople or 反拿捏销售 (fǎn nániē xiāoshòu) is definitely easier said than done. For example, when a salesperson asks:
Is this your first time visiting to check out cars?
你是第一次来看车吗？
A novice might simply reply:
Yes, could you introduce the car to me?
是的，给我介绍一下吧。
But that’s totally the wrong move! You should subtly hint that you are well-informed—otherwise, the salesperson might try to hit you with the classic high-price package. So a pro would say:
I’ve visited a few dealerships already. This is my first time here.
我看过好几家了，你家是第一次来。
The salesperson may say:
We really can’t discount the price any further, but we can offer you some free gifts.
价格真的不能优惠了，送一些赠品可以吧？
Don’t just smile and say okay! Chances are, you’ll be offered some cheap trinkets like air fresheners, tiny pillows, or steering wheel covers. Instead, you should clearly state and negotiate for high-value gifts:
I want a gas card, three free maintenance services, window tinting, a dashcam, floor mats, chassis armor, and a fire extinguisher…I heard other dealerships offer the full package.
我想要油卡、三次保养、玻璃贴膜，还有行车记录仪、脚垫、底盘装甲、灭火器……听说其他店都有全套赠送。
With your negotiation skills and patience, the salesperson will eventually relent, and the dream car will be yours. Once the car becomes your second home, the journey to freedom will truly begin, like many young car owners have shared on social media:
The steering wheel in my hands reminds me that freedom is truly mine to command.
手中的方向盘让我明白，自由完全由我掌控。
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