BAIC X35

As soon as you enter the interior of the BAIC X35, you will see that it is built to go the extra mile for the price. The interior seems more modern, roomy and well-designed than a utilitarian space would be.

Interior Highlights

Available features include:

•  Leather upholstery
•  Multifunction steering wheel
•  Automatic climate control
•  Push-button start
•  Keyless entry
•  Electric sunroof
•  Soft-touch dashboard trim
•  Adjustable driver's seat
•  Rear air vents

The dashboard features a vertical layout, which enhances the width of the cabin, and positions common controls in easy reach. Premium looks are further enhanced by gloss black trim, metallic accents and contrast stitching.

Seating Comfort

Front seats give excellent lateral support and are comfortable for long trips. An elevated driving position gives excellent outside view, giving confidence to the driver in busy traffic.

The rear passengers enjoy:

•  Good headroom
•  Comfortable legroom
•  Flat rear floor
•  Comfortable seating angle

The X35 is compact, but still provides enough room for 4 adults to comfortably travel longer distances.

The development of the BAIC X35 has been the subject of much attention to safety. The SUV is equipped with a range of active and passive safety systems aimed at improving the safety of the occupants.

Safety Features

Available equipment includes the following, depending on the trims:

•  Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
•  Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
•  Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
•  Hill Hold Control
•  Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) 
•  Rear parking sensors
•  Rear-view camera
•  ISOFIX child-seat anchors
•  Front dual airbags

One noteworthy feature is the presence of the Electronic Stability Program, which aids in keeping the vehicle stable in emergency driving scenarios or on slippery roads. When driving down the hill, Hill Hold Control helps in preventing the car from rolling back when starting from a standstill. These systems combine to give the experienced and new owners of SUVs peace of mind.

Ownership Perspective in the UAE

BAIC has made steady inroads into the UAE with a growing dealership and after-sales support network, enhancing the customer's trust in the company. There are various benefits to owning the X35.

Major strengths include:

•  Competitive purchase price
•  Modern styling
•  Turbocharged engine
•  Low maintenance costs
•  Good fuel economy
•  Comfortable ride
•  Growing dealer network
•  Attractive warranty coverage

The X35 is a great alternative to many of the branded options available for buyers that want to get the most equipment for their money.

Potential considerations include:

•  The resale value is still lower than those of Japanese brands.
•  The brand visibility is steadily on the rise.Brand awareness is on the increase.
•  Ownership data for the long-term is still in the process of being developed.

These, however, are gradually losing their importance as the strength of BAIC's reputation grows in the regional markets.

The BAIC X35 comes in a modern crossover design, which gives it youthful, sporty and well proportioned appearance. Rather than being too flashy, BAIC has designed an SUV that's both elegant and functional.

Exterior Highlights

Exterior features include:

•  Full LED headlights
•  LED daytime running lights
•  LED rear lamps
•  16" and 17" alloy wheel options.
•  Roof rails
•  Integrated rear spoiler
•  Chrome front grille
•  Electrically adjustable mirrors
•  Shark-fin antenna
•  High-mounted brake light

Characterized by a large chrome accented grille with thin LED headlight bars, the front fascia exudes a premium look. The SUV look is confirmed by sculpted character lines, and black body cladding, which give the vehicle a dynamism from the side. LED lighting and a discreet roof spoiler enhance the clean, modern design at the back. Even though it's compact, the X35 has enough road presence to not look like a budget crossover.

Dimensions & Practicality

The efficient packaging is one of the advantages of the BAIC X35. It is very compact and ideal for urban driving but has ample room to boot.

Dimensions

Key measurements include:

•  Length: 4,325 mm
•  Width: 1,830 mm
•  Height: 1,640 mm
•  Wheelbase: 2,570 mm
•  Ground clearance: 180 mm
•  Boot capacity: 390 litres
•  Charging capacity: 46 litres

The dimensions offer a good compromise between interior space and maneuverability.

Cabin Practicality

The X35 is spacious enough to seat 5 passengers with ease.

Practical features include:

•  60:40 split-folding rear seats
•  Multiple cup holders
•  Large door pockets
•  Front center armrest
•  Rear luggage shelf
•  Wide-opening rear doors
•  Practical cargo area

The legroom and headroom for rear passengers is acceptable for a compact SUV, and the seat position is higher to improve rear visibility for everyone. The luggage compartment has a capacity of 390 litres which is enough for everyday shopping, transfers at the airport or overnight travelling on the weekend.

Primarily designed as an urban crossover, the BAIC X35's appeal is immediately apparent from behind the wheel. In contrast to sporty handling, comfort and ease of driving, with refinement, are the main concerns of BAIC and the X35 is ideal for daily driving in the bustling UAE cities.

City Driving

The X35 is light, agile and easy to maneuver in city environments. Drivers can easily park in hard-to-reach areas, navigate crowded streets and shopping malls with ease and confidence using its compact design, high seating position and responsive steering.

Significant urban driving benefits are:

•  Light electric power steering
•  Excellent forward visibility
•  Compact turning radius
•  Smooth CVT operation
•  Comfortable driving position
•  Responsive turbocharged acceleration

It has enough low-end torque to handle city driving without resorting to overstepping your foot.

Highway Performance

The X35 is calm and steady when driving on highways, like Sheikh Zayed Road or the Abu Dhabi–Dubai Expressway. The suspension is good at absorbing road imperfections but remains reassuringly stable at cruising speeds. The quietness of this class is well controlled and the noise from wind and road is less than some budget class rivals. The X35 is not a performance SUV, but the engine's healthy torque distribution makes it a sure shot to be a player in overtaking.

Suspension Comfort

The suspension has been designed to emphasize passenger comfort.

The arrangement will provide softness on:

•  Speed bumps
•  Uneven city roads
•  Highway expansion joints
•  Minor potholes

The outcome is a ride that's not too soft when cornering, but still comfortable for all-day use with the family. The BAIC X35 is a polished and reassuring ride that will please a majority of urban SUV drivers.

The 1.5-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual or continuously variable transmission (CVT), as per the variant, power both the UAE-spec BAIC X35.

Powertrain Specifications

The engine produces:

•  A turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine.
•  150 hp (110 kW)
•  210 Nm of torque
•  Front-wheel drive
•  A CVT and/or 6-speed manual transmission

These are quite impressive numbers for a small crossover. The powerful turbocharged engine produces an impressive amount of low-end torque, making city driving a breeze and allowing for spirited acceleration in the event of an overtake on the motorway. The turbocharged engine is lively over an extensive rev range, unlike many naturally-aspirated rivals. The CVT transmission has been tuned to deliver a smooth acceleration and improved fuel economy in normal driving.

Fuel Efficiency

Efficiency continues to be a strength. Combined fuel used is around 6.9–7.2 liters per 100 kilometers, which makes it a good choice for making everyday journeys without compromising performance. This combination of power and economy will certainly be appealing to the majority of UAE buyers.

The BAIC X35 shows the progress of technology innovation in modern Chinese automobiles, which has become one of the most prominent features of China's current vehicles. The infotainment system has been developed to offer intuitive operation and seamless integration of the smartphone.

Technology Features

Available equipment includes:

•  8 inch touchscreen infotainment display
•  Bluetooth connectivity
• 6-speaker sound system
•  USB ports
•  Apple CarPlay (market dependent)
•  Android smartphone connectivity
•  Multifunction steering wheel controls
•  Digital trip computer
•  Rear-view camera
•  Parking sensors
•  Voice command support

The touchscreen reacts promptly to inputs and has an easy-to-navigate menu system to limit distraction during driving. Pairing is simple and the steering-mounted controls enable drivers to operate calls and media without taking their hands off the wheel. The rear camera offers good visibility when parking—particularly in busy urban areas.

The BAIC X35 is a testament to the remarkable advances that Chinese carmakers have made in the last few years. It isn't just about its price, it offers a balanced combination of stylish design, state-of-the-art electronics, ergonomic interior, and turbocharged performance.

Its most notable features are that it is used in everyday use. Its small size makes it an excellent choice for city driving, and its roomy interior, comfortable suspension and extensive standard equipment make it a great family car as well. Despite facing stiff competition from the Japanese and Korean players, the X35 is also a bit different with a more extensive array of features and a more premium feel at a very competitive price.

In terms of modern convenience and other features, the modern styling, and excellent value for money, the BAIC X35 is worth considering for anyone looking for a practical compact SUV in the UAE with a contemporary design. While not yet on the same level of recognition as some of its competitors, it certainly has the quality and refinement that shows that BAIC is still evolving as a global manufacturing brand.

Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

The BAIC X35 is a compact, stylish and economical model that packs the turbocharged engine, comfortable ride qualities, roomy interior and cutting-edge technology into a beautiful package. The crossover has emerged as one of the more promising players in the booming compact crossover market for urban driving and small families looking for practical, yet high-quality vehicles within a moderate budget.