The Polestones 01 is the maiden large EREV (Extended-Range Electric Vehicle) SUV rolled out by Rox Motor (a joint venture between Shanghai Rox Technology and Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, manufactured by BAW). It is positioned as an "all-terrain luxury SUV" crafted for deep overland getaways and multi-scenario family use. Officially launched in August 2023, the model is offered in 6-seater and 7-seater layouts. The Polestones 01 represents a unique case study in China's automotive sphere—whilst domestic sales have remained lacklustre and it was widely deemed an underdog, it pulled off a stunning turnaround overseas, notably across the Middle East, cementing its status as an emerging cult favourite in the RM500,000-bracket luxury SUV segment.
Positioned in the large EREV SUV segment, the Polestones 01 carves out a niche via a differentiated formula of "rugged styling + range-extender tech + lifestyle-oriented equipment", squarely targeting multi-generational families pursuing outdoor lifestyles. Dimension-wise, it spans 5,050 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width, and 1,869 mm in height, riding on a 3,010 mm wheelbase with a kerb weight of around 2,625 kg, and comes in 5-door 6-seater or 7-seater configurations. Core USPs include a ladder-frame chassis, a dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain, class-leading combined cruising range, as well as bespoke outdoor features such as an integrated "tailgate kitchen" and an "in-cabin camping bed". Its domestic indicative pricing ranges from RM299,900 to RM359,900.
The commercial trajectory of the Polestones 01 showcases a stark contrast between domestic and international markets. Back home, monthly registrations have hovered between 1,000 and 2,000 units over an extended period, before peaking at a record 2,035 units in April 2026. However, these figures are largely underpinned by export allocations—on the domestic front, the 01 has steadily been phased out in favour of newer nameplates, rendering it effectively discontinued locally. Globally, Rox Motor has expanded into over 40 markets, establishing a retail and aftersales footprint of more than 80 outlets. The Middle East alone accounts for 70% of total volume, with cumulative sales surpassing 20,000 units across the MENA region and exceeding 5,000 units in the UAE alone.
On the outside, the Polestones 01 embraces a quintessential boxy silhouette reminiscent of traditional 4x4 off-roaders like the Land Rover Defender. The front fascia features a gloss black front grille with matching darkened trims, flanked by distinctive "Y"-shaped LED headlamps for high night-time visibility. Along the flanks, a continuous, prominent shoulder line is matched with flared wheel arches and generous ground clearance to emphasise its off-road pedigree. Round the back, a side-hinged tailgate paired with an optional external spare wheel carrier preserves the timeless aesthetic of a thoroughbred off-roader.
Aerodynamically, the utilitarian boxy silhouette results in higher wind resistance, leading to noticeable wind noise at cruising speeds. Wheel options include 20-inch and 21-inch alloys, which can be wrapped in all-terrain (A/T) or all-season rubbers to cater to diverse driving conditions. Off-road metrics are respectable, boasting an approach angle of 22.2°, a departure angle of 25.1°, a ramp breakover angle of 19.7°, a minimum ground clearance of 205 mm, and a water-wading depth of up to 700 mm.
Step inside, and the cabin adopts a minimalist, industrial-luxe aesthetic. The dashboard houses a 15.7-inch floating central touchscreen complemented by a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, whilst the second row gains a 15.6-inch rear-seat entertainment display, providing a seamless multi-screen digital ecosystem. The cabin is upholstered in dual-tone hide with full-grain Nappa leather seats; slush-moulded soft-touch plastics and genuine open-pore timber trims adorn the dashboard and door cards, matching expectations for an RM300,000-class offering, though some owners have noted minor panel gap inconsistencies. Three interior colourways are on offer, set off by genuine wood inlays and tungsten steel accents.
The Polestones 01 is powered by a range-extender hybrid powertrain comprising a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine (engine code B15F) acting purely as a generator, paired with dual electric drive motors. The internal combustion engine produces 112 kW (around 152 PS), with peak torque figures unspecified; the front motor outputs 150 kW, whilst the rear motor delivers 200 kW, culminating in a combined system output of 350 kW (around 476 PS) and 740 Nm of torque. Power is channelled through a single-speed direct-drive transmission via an electric AWD layout. The 0-100 km/h sprint is dispatched in an official 5.5 seconds, with top speed capped at 190 km/h.
On the battery and range front, two ternary lithium-ion battery packs (supplied by CATL) are available: the standard version packs a 44.5 kWh unit, delivering a pure electric range of 215 km on the CLTC cycle (180 km WLTC); the long-range variant packs a larger 56.01 kWh unit, pushing pure EV range up to 282 km (CLTC). Combined cruising range stands at 1,275 km (CLTC) or 1,065 km (WLTC) on a full tank and full charge. Charging-wise, DC fast charging juices the battery from 20% to 80% SoC in 0.4 hours (roughly 24 minutes), whilst an AC charge takes around 6.8 hours.
Fuel economy is rated at 7.95 L/100 km under the WLTC cycle, drawing from a 70-litre fuel tank calibrated for RON 95 petrol or higher.
Under the skin, the Polestones 01 is engineered on a robust body-on-frame (ladder-chassis) platform—a rarity among RM300,000-bracket EREV SUVs. Underpinnings comprise a front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent setup, with ventilated disc brakes on all four corners and an electronic parking brake (EPB) with Auto Hold. The dual-motor electric AWD system dynamically juggles torque between axles based on road friction, significantly enhancing traction across slippery terrain and off-road tracks.
A total of 11 selectable drive modes are available: Standard/Comfort, Eco, Sport, Pure EV, Hybrid, Individual, Sand, Mud, Snow, Off-road, and Wet. The chassis features adaptive damping that modulates shock absorber stiffness according to the chosen mode—cushioning surface imperfections in Comfort mode, stiffening for sharper body control in Sport mode, alongside a dedicated "Overland Mode" specially tuned to tackle punishing off-road trails.
Steering duties are handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) rack, yielding a minimum turning radius of 5.98 metres. The 100-0 km/h emergency braking distance is 37.8 metres. Tyre fitment across the range is 275/45 R21, with a tyre repair kit provided in lieu of a spare tyre.
The smart digital cockpit is underpinned by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset, enabling multi-display synergy and smart voice commands. The hardware suite comprises a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 15.7-inch 3K floating infotainment screen, a 9-inch streaming digital rear-view mirror, and a 15.6-inch HD rear entertainment screen, with higher trims adding a Head-Up Display (HUD). The infotainment system comes loaded with 5G connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and native smartphone screen mirroring. The intelligent voice assistant manages infotainment, sat-nav, telephony, climate control, sunroof, and power windows, though some users note it is limited to rudimentary single commands, struggles with complex multi-intent dialogues, and exhibits occasional system lag.
In terms of convenience and creature comforts, standard equipment across the board includes tri-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, independent temperature zones, an in-cabin PM2.5 air filtration system, 256-colour ambient lighting, and dual fixed panoramic glass roofs. Seating is upholstered in Nappa leather, with the front seats featuring full electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage functions; the second-row individual captain chairs also boast heating, ventilation, massage, and powered ottoman leg rests; third-row backrests are recline-adjustable. In-car entertainment is elevated by a 14-speaker premium audio system.
Versatile seating arrangements are among the vehicle's chief highlights: the 6-seater variant features second-row zero-gravity captain chairs that recline up to 163°; the 7-seater version adopts a 2-2-3 configuration with a middle row wide enough to seat three 175 cm-tall adults comfortably. With the third row folded, it creates a flat 2.0 m × 1.3 m load bed; folding both the second and third rows in the 7-seater yields a cavernous loading depth of over 2 metres, ideal for "car-camping" setups. Practicality is rounded off with 36 dedicated storage cubbies throughout the cabin.
On the active safety and ADAS front, the Polestones 01 is equipped with a Level 2 driver assistance suite as standard across the range. The sensor hardware incorporates dual Texas Instruments TDA4 processors, 5 cameras, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and 6 millimetre-wave radars. ADAS functions include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), 360-degree Surround View Monitor, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Change Assist (LCA), Door Opening Warning (DOW), and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA). Range-topping trims add Automated Parking Assist, Remote Parking, and support optional Urban Navigation on Autopilot (NOA).
Active safety is comprehensively covered by standard ABS, EBD, Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Passive safety features a high-strength steel-aluminium hybrid body shell, delivering a torsional rigidity exceeding 40,000 Nm/deg to ensure superior cabin integrity during severe crash impacts. The cabin is lined with 6 airbags as standard, including dual front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length curtain airbags. The traction battery pack incorporates robust safety defences such as flame-retardant materials, thermal runaway suppression tech, and real-time smart thermal monitoring to avert fire hazards.
Setting itself apart from conventional competitors, the Polestones 01 integrates ingenious bespoke outdoor amenities:
Tailgate Kitchen: The rear door integrates a functional fold-out kitchen module equipped with an instant hot water dispenser, a 220V power outlet supporting 2.2 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external discharge, a prep table, and a fold-out workstation for outdoor dining.
In-Cabin Bed Mode: Folding the second and third rows completely flat allows owners to roll out an optional dual-layer foam and air mattress to transform the cabin into a cosy bed, with panoramic overhead glazing offering natural illumination and scenic night views.
Off-Road Assist Features: The roof-mounted LiDAR module actively scans and maps harsh topography during trail excursions, feeding elevation data to help drivers detect and negotiate rugged obstacles.
The sales performance of the Polestones 01 reveals an extraordinary East-West divide. Domestically in China, deliveries languished at low volumes, registering 15,318 units across the entire 2025 calendar year (averaging around 1,276 units monthly). Deliveries from January to May 2026 recorded 1,028, 1,298, 1,480, 2,035, and 2,052 units respectively, indicating steady upward momentum. However, this growth is overwhelmingly driven by foreign export orders, as the domestic-spec Polestones 01 is virtually discontinued, shifting purely to run-out inventory clearance.
Conversely, overseas markets have hailed it as a breakout hit. In 2025, export sales made up 70% of brand volume, with cumulative MENA deliveries surpassing 20,000 units. In Saudi Arabia, where it retails for an equivalent of around RM560,000 (nearly double its domestic price), it captured over 6% market share in the RM500,000-class luxury SUV segment, outperforming the BMW X5. In the UAE, it broke into the top five luxury SUVs above RM500,000 with market share exceeding 15%, and was even inducted into the Dubai Police fleet alongside the Land Rover Defender.
Owner reviews remain polarised. Praises centre on its punchy performance, adaptable cabin packaging, and ingenious camping features, with its 5.5-second century sprint, over 1,000 km touring range, and outdoor utility fulfilling adventure-oriented family needs. On the flip side, criticisms highlight poor resale value stemming from aggressive new-car retail discounting—with one-year-old used units suffering steep depreciation rates of 40% to 47%—along with noticeable wind noise at highway speeds, minor software lag, mediocre rear seat bolstering, low brand recall, and a limited service centre network.
Domestically, the Polestones 01 struggled amidst fierce competition from established rivals such as the Tank 400/500 Hi4-T and Fangchengbao Bao 5. Abroad, however, it carved out a profitable niche in the "all-terrain luxury" space. Rox Motor has penetrated over 40 global markets, scaling rapidly via an asset-light dealership agency model.
The Polestones 01 serves as a classic textbook example of Chinese carmakers deploying counter-intuitive strategies to succeed abroad. Instead of engaging in a bruising price war at home against heavyweights like the Li Auto L8 and BYD Tang, the brand pivoted overseas to secure its survival. By tailoring the vehicle for Middle Eastern clientele—incorporating dedicated Dune Driving modes, Arabic voice control, and a bespoke "Falcon Edition" celebrating regional falconry heritage—Polestones transitioned from superficial product features to deep cultural resonance.
From an engineering standpoint, the Polestones 01’s EREV setup, ladder-frame chassis, dual-motor AWD, and scenario-driven gear make it a compelling package for its price point. Nevertheless, brand equity remains in its infancy, with lingering hurdles like a narrow model line-up, thin domestic retail reach, and volatile residual values. The story of the Polestones 01 proves an age-old automotive truth: what gets overlooked in one market can become a massive hit in another; regional divergence does not define a brand's merit, nor should true value be judged strictly by domestic sales tallies. For buyers on a budget who crave rugged individuality, practical utility, and place little weight on badge prestige, a pre-owned Polestones 01 (hovering around RM160,000 to RM180,000) presents immense bang for the buck.
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