The All-New Hybrid SUV Registered in Vietnam: A Match for the Mazda CX-5, with Fuel Efficiency Under 5 Liters per 100 km

SAIC GM Wuling, a joint venture between SAIC Motor, General Motors, and Liuzhou Wuling Motors Co Ltd, has recently filed for industrial design rights protection for a new vehicle model, as published in Gazette No. 447, Volume A, Issue 2, by the Vietnam Intellectual Property Office. The registered images reveal that the vehicle in question is the Baojun Yunhai, a compact SUV that was first launched in China in September 2024. The joint venture has also registered the vehicle’s interior trim, suggesting that it will be assembled in Vietnam.

The Baojun Yunhai is offered in four variants in China, including both electric and plug-in hybrid versions, with prices ranging from 109,800 to 133,800 CNY (approximately 400 to 488 million VND). The all-electric model boasts impressive specifications, with a powerful 150 kW (201 hp) electric motor and a choice of two battery packs: a 56.7 kWh pack offering a range of 500 km, and a larger 69.2 kWh pack that extends the range to 600 km. Additionally, the vehicle supports 2C fast charging.

Dimension-wise, the electric version of the Baojun Yunhai measures 4,541 mm in length, 1,880 mm in width, and 1,608 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm. The plug-in hybrid version has a slightly longer length of 4,590 mm, while the other dimensions remain unchanged. With these dimensions, the vehicle competes in the same segment as the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V.

The exterior design of the Baojun Yunhai is based on the Tianyu D platform, featuring a closed front grille with a camera, headlights with three horizontal bars, and an under-mouth design. The SUV rides on 18-inch flower-shaped wheels and comes with traditional door handles, unlike the hidden handles found on modern electric and hybrid vehicles. The interior offers a choice of two color schemes: Morning White and Night Black. The dashboard features a minimalist design with an 8.8-inch LCD instrument panel, a floating 15.6-inch central control screen, a D-shaped steering wheel, and two wireless charging pads and cup holders on the central console.

The audio system in the Baojun Yunhai is supported by eight speakers, delivering an immersive sound experience. Accentuating the interior are golden decorative elements on the steering wheel, air conditioning vents, door trim, and front armrest. In terms of space, the headroom in the front and rear rows is 1,008 mm and 987 mm, respectively, while the legroom in the front and rear rows is 949 mm and 876 mm, respectively. The standard cargo volume is an impressive 567 liters, expandable to 1,570 liters by folding down the rear seats. This generous space can accommodate five 28-inch suitcases, two 26-inch suitcases, and two 20-inch suitcases simultaneously. The rear hatch opening height is 1,795 mm, and there are an additional 29 storage spaces throughout the vehicle.

Turning to the plug-in hybrid variant, the Baojun Yunhai is equipped with the Wuling Lingxi hybrid system, which comprises a 1.5-liter 78 kW (105 hp) engine and an electric motor, along with two battery pack options: a 9.5 kWh pack offering an all-electric range of 45 km, and a larger 20.5 kWh pack that extends the range to 100 km. The comprehensive range of this variant is an impressive 1,100 km, and the WLTC fuel consumption is exceptionally low at just 4.96 liters/100 km.

In Vietnam, TMT Motors is the company responsible for the production, assembly, and distribution of SAIC GM Wuling’s electric vehicle lineup. So far, they have introduced two models to the Vietnamese market: the Wuling Mini EV and the Wuling Bingo, with the Nano S05, a mini two-seater electric car, expected to launch soon. TMT Motors is also developing an extensive charging network named TMT Charge, aiming to establish 30,000 charging points across the country by 2030.