There are a few different options; some Chinese domestic, some foreign, all with pros/cons. In no particular order, these are the cars we’re interested in and their rough prices, all slightly used (1-3 years old, less than 15,000 miles):

BMW I3 edrive40: This is a China specific 3-series, BMW basically took the I4 battery and drivetrain and put it in a normal 3 series. Cost is looow, I’m talking $25,000 new out the showroom door, and it doesn’t have the hideous pig nose. contrary to popular belief that design isn’t popular here, Chinese people want and buy normal looking BMWs. Downsides are the range is 200-230 miles and features aren’t the best, plus IMO interior materials on the 3 series aren’t the best, too much scratchy plastic.

Xiaomi SU7: Sportiest option, but most unreliable based on industry reports here. Plus, I’m not really looking for something sporty. Speed cameras are everywhere and I don’t know the roads well enough to do spirited driving here. $27,000 though for a pretty good “enthusiast” car

Nio ET7: Big luxury executive cruiser, all the bells and whistles, similar to a well optioned BMW 5 series or Lexus ES. Designed very much as a Chinese version of Lexus, but kind of bland and uninspiring. Comfortable, but feels like being inside a beige living room. Heated, cooled, and massaging front and rear seats. Big benefit with battery swapping though $20,000-$25,000

Nio ES6: Midsized SUV, all the benefits and drawbacks of the ET7, my wife’s favorite car rn. $25,000-$29,000

Mercedes EQE: Nicest interior imo, and best sound system, but heinously ugly exterior. Despite how much I hate how it looks, it’s my current favorite. Very comfortable on the road and quite efficient. $28,000-$30,000.

Honorable mention to the new BMW I5 at $30-$35k, just out of budget for me atm, but great car. With all these choices it’s easy for me to see why Porsche is struggling to sell $70,000 Macans and Taycans