As an owner of the Qin L DM-i, I’ve been driving it for a year and was one of the early buyers of the 2024 model. I joined a car owners’ group right after picking up the car, purchased an extended warranty and window tinting through group buys, and consider myself an elite long-time member of the group. Seeing many new Qin L owners joining recently, I want to share my driving experience and some practical accessories I’ve bought—hope this helps you all.
1. Fuel Consumption
Currently, I use a 40:60 mix of electricity and gasoline, with a combined fuel consumption of 4.2 L/100km. In reality:
- Highway driving at 120 km/h: around 5.5 L/100km
- National highway at 70-80 km/h: 4 L/100km
- Urban driving on pure electric: 3.5 L/100km (equivalent fuel consumption)
- Low battery mode: around 4 L/100km
I always use automatic air conditioning when driving, and the car is basically fully loaded on highways. As for the 2.9 L/100km figure—yes, I’ve achieved it too, but that’s without air conditioning, driving at 50-60 km/h with no sudden acceleration. I’ve also hit those 1.x L/100km numbers, but that’s just refreshing the fuel consumption display after accelerating or going downhill.
2. Practical Accessories
Here are the accessories I find most useful:
1. Trunk Storage Box
I replaced the original one with this. It was quite expensive when it first came out, but later prices dropped to around 100 RMB. It neatly stores tools and other items, keeps them hidden, and protects them from sun exposure.
2. Windshield Sunshade Umbrella
Nothing beats the sun completely, but this one relieves the heat a lot. I chose the umbrella type for easy storage—foldable sunshades are lighter and fit better, but they’re a hassle to put away. Even though foldable ones use an "8-shape" folding method, they’re still flatter and not as compact as the umbrella type, which folds into a cylinder that fits anywhere. Note: Using it requires some skill to avoid damage—first cover the windshield (especially the rearview mirrors) before extending it fully, and attach buffer material (like transparent tape or electrical tape) where it touches the large screen. For the rear windshield, I use a foldable one since it stays in place. Worried about blocking the rearview mirror? Use the 360° camera when parking, and it’s fine while driving too! Alternatively, install a streaming media rearview mirror—you can get a good one for 200-300 RMB.
3. Hidden Dash Cam
I opted for one that replaces the original factory unit. I tested models ranging from tens to 400-500 RMB—there are differences, but if something’s too blurry to see, even expensive ones won’t help. It’s basically the difference between being able to distinguish "1" and "l". So I ended up choosing a budget one for tens of RMB.
4. Hooks (Two Types)
- Front passenger small hook: It’s a bit pricey (nearly 10 RMB each), but useful for hanging drinks or small items for easy access. Since it gets in the way when getting in/out, I keep it in the armrest box and snap it on when needed—it’s small and convenient.
- Rear seat hooks: Installed on the front headrests, these are extremely practical. They can rotate and are almost invisible. Hang items on the back of the driver/passenger seat for easy reach. Choose ones with silicone in the middle to prevent slipping.
5. Headrests
I tested over a dozen headrests, mostly for the front seats—some didn’t reach my neck at all, others were too hard or too soft. The one I settled on supports the neck perfectly, with sufficient filling and moderate firmness. It’s a bit more expensive (over 20 RMB), but the adjustable length fits drivers of different heights. For the rear seats, the original ones are inflexible and small, so I bought large-area ones that cover the back. You can flip them up and down if you don’t like the position.
6. Floor Mats, Trunk Mat, Engine/Battery Guard Plates
I stuck with the factory-installed ones—no major issues. Since this isn’t my first car, I only buy practical items, so I didn’t purchase replacements.
7. Phone Holder
I use a screen-mounted one now—it’s stable and functional, and doesn’t hinder driving. The only downside is it blocks a tiny bit of the top-left corner of the screen. I haven’t found a better alternative yet, so I’m sticking with it. By the way, mini versions block less of the screen but are much less practical—gravity-mounted ones let you place your phone with one hand, while mini ones require two hands to open.
8. Various Partition Organizers
- Triangle partition pad for the bottom of the center console
- Divider pad for the armrest box (since it’s quite deep, the divider helps organize items)
9. External Discharge Socket
You can skip this if you don’t need it, but it only costs tens of RMB—keep one in the car for emergencies, just in case.
10. Cigarette Lighter Charger
I tested dozens of models—most falsely advertise their power (only around 10W in reality), and some aren’t compatible with certain phone brands. The one I use now costs around 20 RMB, supports fast charging for Vivo and OPPO phones (tested at around 40W), but I haven’t tested it with other brands. There’s another model around 40 RMB that can reach 65W, but I avoided it—higher power might affect the car, it generates more heat, and it’s much more expensive.
11. Trunk Support Rods
I bought two for around 10 RMB total. Installation is a bit tricky—you have to climb into the trunk, which is inconvenient. I tried installing both, but one works better: two rods fully open the trunk, but closing it is a hassle. One rod lifts the trunk to face height, and you can push it open fully with a light touch. Most importantly, it won’t close automatically! The right side is easier to install since there’s a wire tube on the left.
12. Others
- Driver’s side glasses case: Useless. The original car doesn’t have a recess, so it hits my head when getting in.
- Full-car sound insulation strips: No noticeable difference in noise reduction, but they’re slightly useful for dustproofing. Avoid installing them on the trunk—they might prevent it from popping open automatically.
- Trunk side dividers: Separate the left and right sides of the trunk to secure items. I usually put water or frequently used items here; infrequently used items go in the storage box below.
- Two small backpacks: Hung on the rear headrests to store car accessories—keeps things neat and easy to access.
- License plate number stickers: I don’t stick them on; I keep them in the glasses case and take them out when needed. Adhesive can deteriorate in direct sunlight.
3. Infotainment System
Besides the original factory settings, the most important upgrade is installing a third-party launcher—I like having all the apps I need ready automatically when I start driving. I tested three launchers: DF Launcher works well, with all the features I need, though the setup is a bit complicated. It doesn’t start normally every time, but now: I unlock the car with a smart band/phone, the car starts automatically when I open the door, DF Launcher launches music and casts navigation as set, and I just step on the brake and go!