BAIC U5 Plus

Model Overview

The Beijing U5 PLUS is a compact sedan rolled out by BEIJING Auto under the BAIC Group banner. Serving as a mid-life facelift of the original Beijing U5, it focuses primarily on exterior cosmetic updates and interior equipment enhancements. The car made its maiden appearance at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2021, commenced pre-sales at the Chengdu International Auto Show on 29 August of the same year (priced between RM70,000 and RM110,000), and officially went on sale on 23 September 2021 with a recommended retail price (RRP) ranging from RM69,900 to RM100,900. Six variants were offered across two powertrain choices: a 1.5L naturally aspirated unit and a 1.5T turbocharged engine. In terms of dimensions, the sedan measures 4,660 mm in length, 1,820 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a 2,670 mm wheelbase and a 430-litre boot capacity, placing it squarely in the mainstream compact sedan segment. Pitched as a "value-packed RM70,000-class family sedan", it targets the cost-conscious mass market against key domestic rivals like the Geely Emgrand, Changan Eado, and Roewe i5. In April 2023, the Beijing U5 PLUS received an annual model-year update, streamlining the range to four 1.5L CVT variants with prices realigned to RM79,900 - RM87,900.

Design Language

The Beijing U5 PLUS adopts BEIJING Auto's latest "Capital Beauty" design ethos, giving it a noticeably younger and sportier stance than its predecessor. Up front, it sports an enlarged hexagonal front grille with a darkened mesh pattern and chrome matrix detailing, flanked by angular LED headlamps joined by a slim top chrome trim, while Z-shaped bumper air intakes add extra road presence. Along the sides, a prominent dual shoulder-line flows seamlessly from the front wings to the rear taillights, complemented by 17-inch dual-tone five-spoke alloy wheels for a clean, elongated profile. The rear is highlighted by a full-width LED light bar housing 122 LED diodes with dynamic sequential turn signals, delivering a distinctive light signature at night.

Inside, the cabin takes on a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, ditching the old model's Mercedes-inspired layout in favour of an integrated twin-screen setup consisting of a 7-inch full LCD instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch floating infotainment touchscreen. Soft-touch materials are generously applied across high-contact zones such as the dashboard and door cards, while physical HVAC controls are thoughtfully retained for ease of operation on the move. The front seats feature a one-piece zero-gravity sports design, complete with electric adjustment for the driver and seat heating functions.

Powertrain & Performance

Under the bonnet, the Beijing U5 PLUS offers two petrol engine options: a 1.5L naturally aspirated engine and a 1.5T turbocharged unit. The 1.5L naturally aspirated powerplant produces 83 kW (113 PS) and 142 Nm of torque, engineered with an emphasis on low running costs and everyday reliability; the livelier 1.5T turbocharged mill churns out 110 kW (150 PS) and 210 Nm of torque. Power is transferred to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual or a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on the 1.5L, whereas the 1.5T is paired exclusively with the CVT. All variants feature a front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup and a 50-litre fuel tank. Fuel economy figures under the NEDC cycle stand at a frugal 5.7 - 5.9 L/100 km for the 1.5L variants and around 6.2 L/100 km for the 1.5T model, matching class standards. Top speed for the 1.5L CVT variant is rated at 170 km/h.

Chassis & Handling

Underpinnings comprise front MacPherson struts and a rear H-type torsion beam semi-independent suspension setup—a standard configuration for this class tuned primarily for ride comfort. Steering duties are handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system calibrated on the lighter side for effortless urban commuting and tight parking manoeuvres. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid discs paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), with Bosch's ESP 9.3 electronic stability programme standard across the board to ensure confident road manners in wet and slippery conditions.

Cabin & Convenience Features

In terms of in-car tech, all Beijing U5 PLUS variants come standard with a dual-screen cockpit layout featuring a 7-inch digital meter display and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen boasting crisp 2K-level resolution. The head unit runs PATEO's latest connectivity suite, supporting Car-Line smartphone mirroring (Android projection), onboard GPS navigation, online maps, Bluetooth connectivity, and intelligent voice control for the windows, sunroof, air conditioning, and media playback. Users can also utilise the dedicated smartphone app for remote engine starting, pre-cooling the air conditioning, and remote lock/unlock. Over-the-air (OTA) updates and 4G telematics are supported across the range.

Cabin comfort is bolstered by a CN95-grade cabin air filter certified to C-ECAP Gold eco-standards, automatic climate control, rear air-con vents, keyless entry with push-start ignition, Auto Brake Hold, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. Higher-grade variants further gain a 10-colour ambient lighting system and a 6-speaker audio setup. Synthetic leather upholstery comes standard across the board, with the front seats featuring 3-stage heating. Boot space is rated at 430 litres, expandable via the fold-down rear bench for bulkier cargo.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the passive safety front, the Beijing U5 PLUS punches above its weight by offering 6 airbags (dual front, front side, and full-length side curtain airbags) as standard across the range. Other baseline safety equipment includes front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, ISOFIX child seat mounting points, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), and Emergency Stop Signal (ESS).

Active safety is anchored by the Bosch ESP 9.3 suite. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) comprise a 360-degree dynamic 3D surround-view monitor, Moving Object Detection (MOD) at low speeds, Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Auto Lane Change (ALC) assist. The 360-degree camera system employs 1-megapixel HD lenses to deliver clear visibility in dark car parks and narrow alleys. Rear parking sensors and a reverse camera are also standard across all trim levels to make daily parking hassle-free.

Market Performance & Owner Verdict

Following its market launch in September 2021, the Beijing U5 PLUS enjoyed a stable start in order bookings. After streamlining the line-up for the 2023 model year, full-year sales settled at around 1,063 units. In May 2024, BAIC launched the vehicle in Cairo, Egypt as part of its global export strategy, marking its entry into emerging markets across the Middle East and North Africa. Moving into 2025, aggressive domestic price wars and rapid competitor refreshes saw its sales slide considerably, registering only 9 units in March 2026. As of 2026, the vehicle has effectively reached the end of its product lifecycle in its home market.

On the customer review front, the Beijing U5 PLUS holds a respectable score of 9.5/10 based on owner feedback on Sina Auto, ranking 13th among comparable models. Owners widely praised its real-world fuel economy of around 5.9 L/100 km, comfortable seating, practical cabin room, and superior value proposition given the standard 6 airbags and twin-screen setup, alongside adequate urban punch from the 1.5T engine. On the flip side, common complaints centre around occasional infotainment lag, noticeable bumpiness from the rear torsion beam over rough roads, and limited brand cachet. All in all, with its sharp styling, modern dual-screen cockpit, and generous safety kit, the Beijing U5 PLUS stood out as an attractive entry-level buy in the RM70,000 - RM100,000 family sedan bracket, though stiff competition and brand constraints ultimately held it back from becoming a mainstream volume seller against staples like the Geely Emgrand, Changan Eado, Roewe i5, and Chery Arrizo 5 PLUS.