The Evolution of the VGV U70 and U70 Pro: From Family Crossover to Global SUV

VGV

The VGV U70 and its successor, the U70 Pro, represent the foundation of the modern VGV brand. Introduced in 2019, the U70 was the first passenger vehicle launched under the VGV name and helped establish the company’s presence in the highly competitive midsize crossover SUV market. Designed as a practical and affordable family vehicle with seating for up to seven passengers, the U70 evolved significantly over the years, eventually becoming the more refined U70 Pro. Today, the model continues to serve as one of VGV’s most important products and has expanded into international markets beyond China.

The Origins of the U70

The VGV brand was created in 2019 by Weichai (Chongqing) Automotive, which later became part of Sinotruk Group. The company sought to capitalize on growing demand for family-oriented crossover SUVs in China, particularly vehicles that could offer the interior space of a minivan while maintaining the styling and driving characteristics of an SUV.

Development of the U70 began during the late 2010s. Prototype vehicles were spotted undergoing winter testing in early 2019, and official images were submitted to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology later that year. The production model was launched in November 2019 as the VGV U70, becoming the first major passenger vehicle sold under the newly established VGV brand.

2019: Launch of the VGV U70

Production of the VGV U70 began in 2019 and continues today in various forms. The original U70 was positioned as a midsize crossover SUV with seating configurations for five, six, or seven passengers depending on the market and trim level.

The vehicle featured a front-wheel-drive layout and was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine producing approximately 156 horsepower. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission and a six-speed automatic transmission.

Key dimensions included:

  • Length: 189.2 inches (4,806 mm)
  • Width: 73.6 inches (1,870 mm)
  • Height: 66.6 inches (1,691 mm)
  • Wheelbase: 110.2 inches (2,800 mm)

The U70 was designed to maximize interior room while remaining affordable. This combination made it attractive to large families and buyers seeking a practical alternative to more expensive SUVs.

.

We LOVE cars & cruising around, but sometimes day trips to explore new cities are required (with family or friends) for a spice of variety in your life!
So GO explore!
Cruises & Day/Night USA City Tours to: Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Marina Del Ray, New York, Niagara, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington DC, etc.:

.

Early U70 Trim Levels (2019–2021)

During its initial years, the U70 was offered in several trim levels in China. Exact names varied by region and model year, but commonly documented versions included:

  • Basic
  • Comfort
  • Elite
  • Luxury
  • Flagship

Equipment levels ranged from simple cloth interiors and manual climate controls to leather seating, touchscreen infotainment systems, panoramic sunroofs, and advanced convenience features.

A major selling point of the U70 was its flexible seating arrangement. Depending on configuration, buyers could select five-seat, six-seat, or seven-seat layouts, giving the vehicle greater versatility than many competitors in its price range.

2022: The Arrival of the U70 Pro

The most significant development in the model’s history occurred in May 2022, when VGV introduced the extensively updated U70 Pro.

Rather than creating an entirely new generation, VGV chose to heavily revise the existing U70 platform. The result was the U70 Pro, a more modern and upscale version of the original crossover.

The U70 Pro received:

  • A redesigned front fascia
  • Updated grille design
  • Revised lighting elements
  • Improved interior materials
  • Enhanced infotainment technology
  • Additional safety systems
  • Expanded equipment packages

The vehicle retained the proven 1.5-liter turbocharged engine and front-wheel-drive architecture but benefited from improved refinement and updated styling.

Production of the U70 Pro officially began in 2022 and continues today.

U70 Pro Powertrain

The U70 Pro retained the turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine found in the original U70.

Specifications included:

  • Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-four
  • Power: 156 horsepower
  • Torque: 159 lb-ft (215 Nm)
  • Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic
  • Drive layout: Front-wheel drive

The SUV achieved a top speed of approximately 109 mph (175 km/h), while fuel economy remained competitive within its segment.

2022 U70 Pro Trim Expansion

When the U70 Pro launched, VGV introduced several new trim levels designed to appeal to different customer groups.

Documented Chinese-market trims included:

Manual Transmission Models

  • 1.5T Joy MT
  • 1.5T Premium MT

Automatic Transmission Models

  • 1.5T Joy AT
  • 1.5T Excellent AT
  • 1.5T Executive AT

Later production updates added:

  • 1.5T Executive MT

These trims differed primarily in seating configurations, wheel designs, infotainment equipment, upholstery materials, and convenience features.

The U70 Pro was available in both five-seat and seven-seat configurations throughout its production run.

International Expansion

Although initially developed for China, the U70 Pro eventually became one of VGV’s primary export products.

During 2024, the model entered several international markets, including Russia, Belarus, and parts of the Middle East. To support this expansion, production was localized at the Unison automotive plant in Belarus.

Export-market vehicles received numerous modifications designed for local conditions, including:

  • Enhanced corrosion protection
  • Revised suspension tuning
  • Additional heating systems
  • Heated windshield
  • Heated mirrors
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Heated front and rear seats
  • Cold-weather calibration

These upgrades helped improve the vehicle’s suitability for colder climates.

Export Trim Levels

By 2024 and 2025, the U70 Pro was offered in a simplified trim lineup in several export markets.

The most commonly documented versions included:

Comfort

  • 7-passenger seating
  • Manual transmission

Lifestyle

  • 5-passenger seating
  • Automatic transmission

Lifestyle

  • 7-passenger seating
  • Automatic transmission

Executive

  • 7-passenger seating
  • Automatic transmission

The Executive model became the flagship trim and included larger alloy wheels, premium upholstery, panoramic roof, keyless entry, push-button start, heated rear seats, and additional convenience technologies.

Technology and Features

As the model evolved, the U70 Pro became increasingly well-equipped. Available features included:

  • 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system
  • Digital instrument displays
  • Apple and Android connectivity
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Keyless entry
  • Push-button start
  • Electronic parking brake
  • Auto Hold system
  • Rear-view camera
  • Tire-pressure monitoring system
  • Electronic Stability Control
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Hill Descent Control
  • Anti-roll protection systems

Safety equipment improved significantly compared with the original 2019 model, helping the U70 Pro compete against newer rivals.

Relationship to Other VGV Models

The U70 platform served as the basis for several later VGV vehicles. The larger and more powerful U75 Plus was developed as a premium evolution of the concept, while the unusual VX7 pickup truck utilized elements of the U70/U75 architecture.

As a result, the U70 became the foundation of VGV’s passenger-vehicle lineup and helped shape the company’s future product strategy.

Production Years

VGV U70

  • Production: 2019–Present

VGV U70 Pro

  • Production: 2022–Present

Although the U70 Pro effectively replaced the standard U70 in many markets, both names have continued to appear in various regions depending on local marketing strategies.

Future Outlook

As of 2026, the U70 Pro remains in production and continues to be one of VGV’s most important global vehicles. Growing export activity suggests the company intends to further expand its presence in international markets.

Potential future developments could include:

  • Updated driver-assistance technologies
  • Hybrid powertrains
  • Plug-in hybrid variants
  • Improved infotainment systems
  • Electrified successors

While VGV has not officially announced a next-generation replacement, the continued global growth of Chinese automotive brands suggests that the U70 Pro platform may receive further updates before a fully redesigned model eventually arrives.

Since its introduction in 2019, the VGV U70 has evolved from a straightforward family crossover into the more refined and internationally marketed U70 Pro. Offering flexible seating, practical dimensions, turbocharged performance, and competitive pricing, the vehicle helped establish VGV as a serious player in the SUV market. Through multiple trim levels, international expansion, and continuous refinement, the U70 and U70 Pro have become central to VGV’s product lineup and remain important vehicles in the brand’s ongoing growth strategy.

Similar Posts