Buick enters South Korean market with Electra E7 PHEV SUV

General Motors' premium brand, Buick, has officially entered the South Korean market, marking its second major market outside North America after China. At a media showcase in Seoul, GM Korea unveiled the brand's debut model for the region: the Electra E7, a midsize plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV.

The Electra E7 features a 1.5-liter naturally aspirated gasoline engine paired with a 165kW electric motor and a 31.7kWh battery. It offers an electric-only driving range of up to 126km and a total combined range exceeding 1,000km. The vehicle supports DC fast charging, capable of reaching a 30% to 80% charge in approximately 20 minutes.

Positioned as a ‘modern premium’ brand, Buick aims to sit between mainstream and traditional luxury segments, targeting the midsize SUV market currently dominated by models like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Kia Sorento. The Electra E7 will be available in four trims, with prices ranging from approximately 43 million to 54 million won. Sales are scheduled to begin in November, supported by GM's existing service networks in South Korea.