Lynk & Co hasn’t been making as much noise as some of its Chinese competitors are doing (cc: BYD), but that doesn’t exactly mean its lineup isn’t worth looking at. On the contrary, this Swedish-blended brand has quite a few promising models in its portfolio.
I was recently able to try one of those out: the Lynk & Co 01 PHEV. It was my first go at both a Lynk and a plug-in hybrid, so I came into this review with fresh eyes and average expectations. Were they met, or did I just end up disappointed? Read on to find out what I’ve discovered.
Styling
In a sea of countless subcompact and compact crossovers, design isn’t a department where it’s easy to stand out. You risk overdoing it with over-the-top styling, or you end up with something too bland and forgettable. And I’ve gotta hand it to Lynk & Co—it’s found a good middle ground. And you can partially thank Volvo for that, because the Swedish carmaker has had a lot of influence on Lynk’s design language.
The 01 features unique styling, with those sleek headlights and ‘Aurora Borealis’ DRLs, and that wide grille on the front fascia. It’s distinguishable from any other crossover in the market right now, but at the same time, it’s not too weird or quirky. I still find the face quite clean and tasteful, though I understand how some people aren’t fans of that look.
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The same can be said about the rear end, where the 01 gets a beefy-looking tailgate thanks to the large gloss black panel housing the ‘Energy Cube’ rear LED lights. It looks just right.
I also like the blue accents on the black top and on the wheels, which themselves have a very striking design as well. The 01’s exterior just works quite perfectly for me, but I would do away with the plug emblems on the sides and at the rear—they’re mere stickers, and they look and feel cheap. Not sure if that’s just an indicator for new cars, but I’d remove them regardless.
Interior
I really like the 01’s cabin. The build quality is solid, and it’s probably the most solid interiors that I’ve ever seen in a China car. Heck, the uninitiated might not even mistake this for a Chinese car—and I mean that in all the best ways.
The inside is vibrant, with a lot of colors splashed around. The dash is pleasant to the eye and to the touch, and the seats are very comfortable with excellent bolsters. Power adjustment for the driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic adjustment for the tiller also make finding the right driving position much easier.
The digital instrument cluster and the large infotainment system also add to the premium and modern vibe, though I admit the touchpad controls on the steering wheel—while they also add to the overall look—need some getting used to. But perhaps my biggest gripe here is storage; there aren’t a lot.
I’m willing to let that slide since there’s plenty of head, elbow, and leg room for front and rear passengers, which is the more important thing. The rear seats, by the way, are also nice and comfy. The moonroof also gives that sense of added space inside, and it’s executed quite nicely, similar to what you’ll find in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Toyota Corolla Cross.
Engine performance
The Lynk & Co 01 packs a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine paired with an electric motor that together puts out 258hp and 265Nm of torque. This being a plug-in hybrid, it can be driven purely by battery power, and pure EV range is listed at 69km. It also features a Type 2 AC charger.
I wasn’t measuring the exact EV range, but I’m certain 69km of range is enough to make the Laguna-Metro Manila-Laguna drive a lot more fuel-efficient than usual. Going to Alabang from my location used minimal fuel, and the Pasay City roundtrip needed just a little more than that.
Frankly, one week with the 01 turned me into a PHEV believer. I’d just plug it in when I get home, and in a matter of hours, it’d back to full charge—ready for another drive out to the city. It was very straightforward to use, and I didn’t even have to refuel once despite driving the 01 for 300km or so both on the highway and through heavy city traffic.
Fuel efficiency isn’t its only selling point, mind you—there’s plenty of power in that PHEV system, too. There’s so much oomph when you’re in Sport mode, though I mainly stuck mostly with Normal and Hybrid during my time with it to simulate real-world driving. And without even trying, I got a steady 14-15km/L that I know can be improved even further.
Ride and handling
Now, I said there was a lot of power from the engine and the electric motor, right? Well, I don’t think the brakes are adequate for the power that can be sent to the wheels. Not that I ever felt like I was going to get into an accident, of course, because the brakes are enough for day-to-day driving, but my complaint’s more on the fact that there’s a lot of room for improvement in this regard.
All that being said, the 01 still is an ideal daily driver. It’s got a plush ride, and sound insulation is excellent. You also won’t feel much of the road underneath you when you’re cruising on open roads despite the vehicle sitting on 20-inch wheels. Handling is also impressive. Much better than what I expected from this supposedly ‘family car’-looking-crossover. I wouldn’t call it a ‘sleeper’ by any means, but its steering is responsive and has just enough weight to it when you’re going at speed.
Extra features
There’s a huge infotainment system at the center of the dash, and it’s loaded with all sorts of amenities. The 12.7-inch touchscreen has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and it produces sound through the 10-speaker Infinity audio setup. It’s one of the best sound systems I’ve tried in recent memory.
The display’s also like an iPad with a home button, which is a cool and surprisingly useful touch. You’ll need some practice to navigate the tablet-like head unit, but at least there are physical buttons and knobs for, say, the A/C controls.
Commendable here as well are the safety features available, including adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning. I’d say there’s a little too much going on, though, because every time you flick the turn signals, the head unit turns into the blind-spot camera display—it’s a bit intrusive and gets in the way when you’re navigating unfamiliar roads with Waze or Google Maps. A better execution here would be to integrate that pop-up display on the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, something similar to what the Kias and the Hyundais have. Or, I don’t know, maybe have just a portion of the screen show the camera’s view?
Verdict
Complaints aside, the Lynk & Co 01 is still one of the most impressive crossovers in the market right now, regardless of the country of origin. It’s got a design that’ll turn heads, an interior that’s pleasant and comfortable to be in, and a powertrain that’s future-proof and promises a bucketload of fuel savings.
But that’s where you’ll find most of the ‘savings,’ because the price tag won’t allow much of it. At P2.338 million, it’s not exactly a car that “won’t break the bank.” Then again, that’s the price to pay for all the premium you get with the 01.
And that’s okay, because this isn’t targeted at the first-time car buyers looking for a practical crossover. This is for the customers looking to upgrade and go electric and are willing to go upmarket. It’s pretty pricey, sure, but for those who can afford it, it’s a darn good option.
SPECS: Lynk & Co 01 PHEV 2025
Price: P2,338,000
Engine: 1.5-liter turbopetrol I4 with permanent magnet synchronous motor
Power: 178hp @ 5,500rom (ICE); 258hp (combined)
Torque: 265Nm @ 1,500-4,000rpm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Drive layout: FWD
Seating: 5
Score: 9/10
More photos of the Lynk & Co 01 PHEV 2025:
