The BAIC Ruixiang X5 is the debut production model from the BAIC Ruixiang marque, positioned as a mid-size family SUV that adopts a practical approach focused on strong powertrain performance, generous cabin space, and commendable ground clearance, offered in both 5-seater and 7-seater configurations. The brand was established in 2021 as a joint venture between state-owned enterprises from Chongqing Municipality and Hechuan District alongside BAIC Group, marking a fresh start following the restructuring of BAIC Yinxiang. The X5 was officially launched on 25 August 2021 across 10 variants, with prices ranging from RM73,800 to RM123,800. As the first product built under the "Ruiqing Youxing Connected Ecosystem 1.0" framework and powered by the T-Twinkle smart mobility system, it targets the RM100,000-class mid-size SUV segment, competing directly against rivals such as the Changan Oshan X7 and Jetour X70 PLUS.
The BAIC Ruixiang X5 features a bold and mature styling direction. Up front, a large waterfall-style chrome grille takes centre stage, flanked by sleek, smoked headlamp clusters, while red trim accents around the fog lamp housings inject a sporty flair. Positioned at the heart of the grille is the brand's metallic silver 3D star emblem, adding an upscale touch and distinct road presence. Along the sides, a prominent dual shoulder line—highlighted by a wave-like contour over the rear haunches—pairs with chunky tyres and 17- or 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels to deliver a well-planted yet athletic stance. At the rear, the styling remains clean and tidy, featuring a neat chrome strip bridging the tail lamps and brand badge, complemented by a silver faux skid plate and twin decorative exhaust exits for added depth and visual appeal. Dimension-wise, the X5 measures 4,788 mm long, 1,875 mm wide, and 1,730 mm tall, with a generous 2,815 mm wheelbase that outclasses many segment peers and provides a solid foundation for interior roominess. Inside, the cabin adopts a dark-themed aesthetic, equipped with a 10.25-inch floating central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, while retaining tactile physical buttons below the air-conditioning vents for easy on-the-move adjustments. The passenger side of the dashboard is trimmed in a soft-touch brushed-metal texture, complemented by soft-padded upholstery across the seats and door cards to enhance overall perceived quality.
Powering the entire BAIC Ruixiang X5 range is a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (engine code TLE4G15D), developing 115 kW (156 PS) and 215 Nm of torque, with maximum pulling power sustained across a broad rev band from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. The unit features multi-point fuel injection, an all-aluminium cylinder block and head, runs on standard RON 92 petrol, and complies with China VI emission standards. Buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual (6MT) and a 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT), delivering power exclusively to the front wheels (FWD) for a top speed of 180 km/h. In terms of fuel economy, the NEDC combined consumption is rated at 7.2 L/100 km for manual variants and 7.5 L/100 km for automatic versions, striking a sensible balance between daily usability and running costs. The vehicle comes backed by a 3-year or 100,000 km manufacturer warranty.
Underneath, the BAIC Ruixiang X5 utilises a monocoque chassis riding on front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam suspension setup, paired with electric power steering (EPS) and a front-wheel-drive layout. The suspension is tuned primarily for comfort to suit family duties, doing a commendable job of filtering out minor road imperfections. Impressively, the chassis demonstrates reassuring body control and modest roll through medium-to-high-speed corners, delivering ride quality that punches above its price bracket. Braking duties are handled by ventilated discs up front and solid discs at the rear, wrapped in 225/60 R17 or 225/55 R18 tyres, with a space-saver spare wheel provided as standard. The vehicle's ground clearance, approach angle, and departure angle are well-calibrated to cope with both urban commutes and light unpaved rural tracks.
The BAIC Ruixiang X5 comes standard across all trims with a dual-screen cockpit comprising a 10.25-inch floating infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display, supporting cross-screen interaction between the displays and connected smartphones. The infotainment suite runs on the T-Twinkle operating system with 4G connectivity, supporting live navigation, music streaming, and an intelligent voice assistant that handles navigation and media playback via natural speech commands. On higher-spec variants, convenience kit includes cruise control, a powered tailgate, keyless entry with push-button start, an integrated dashcam, and automatic LED headlamps, offering equipment levels that surpass many similarly priced competitors. Cabin practicality is a key highlight, with a choice of 2+3 5-seater or 2+3+2 7-seater layouts. The second-row seats feature a 60:40 split-fold mechanism, while the third-row seats fold completely flat into the floor, expanding boot capacity up to 1,380 litres to easily accommodate both large family road trips and bulky cargo.
On the passive safety front, the BAIC Ruixiang X5 is engineered with a high-strength steel ring-cage safety cell, fitted with dual front airbags, front side airbags, and curtain airbags on selected high-spec variants to provide fundamental crash protection. Active safety is comprehensive across the range, coming standard with an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). Upper-tier models further add a 360-degree surround-view camera, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Hill Start Assist to boost driver confidence during parking manoeuvres and tricky road conditions. In terms of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), the X5 does not feature Level 2 active safety technologies such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), or Lane Centring Assist (LCA), keeping its safety focus primarily on essential active and passive fundamentals.
Serving as the vanguard for the rebranded BAIC Yinxiang outfit, the BAIC Ruixiang X5 was tasked with rebuilding brand equity and regaining traction in an increasingly crowded automotive market. Its attractive price bracket of RM73,800 to RM123,800 took aim directly at budget-conscious buyers seeking maximum cabin space, standing out with its long 2,815 mm wheelbase, flexible 5- and 7-seat options, and generous equipment list. Nevertheless, due to limited brand equity, a fledgling dealership footprint, and the industry's swift pivot towards new energy vehicles (NEVs) and intelligent connectivity, the X5 struggled to maintain market momentum. Industry data indicates that the model registered only sporadic sales in selected months of 2023 before largely vanishing from major sales charts, leaving showroom operations practically dormant.
Among early owners and road testers, the BAIC Ruixiang X5 earned praise for its clever space packaging, dual-screen infotainment setup, and the standard provision of active safety essentials like ESP. On the flip side, criticisms were directed at the rear torsion beam setup transmitting noticeable vertical bounce over harsher road undulations, the lack of more advanced powertrain alternatives, and an aftersales service network that remained too thin to support widespread ownership. In summary, while the BAIC Ruixiang X5 successfully catered to the core priorities of space and value in the RM100,000 bracket upon its 2021 debut, this late-entry combustion-engine model struggled to establish a lasting competitive moat against the tidal wave of vehicle electrification and smart cockpits, ultimately serving as a noteworthy yet commercially subdued footnote in China's automotive landscape.
© 2024 Bitauto.com. All Rights Reserved.
Bitauto (www.yiche.com and www.bitauto.com) is one of the most visited automotive websites in China. We provide detailed info on Chinese car brands available in your area. Please note that the information provided on this website is based on publicly available data and is for reference only. It may not be fully updated or accurate at all times.
Help us improve our website
