BAIC B30e Dune

The interior of the BAIC B30e Dune looks purposeful and attention-grabbing, with the dashboard having a dual-tone vertical design that houses the full-TFT rectangular screens for the instrument console and the infotainment system. The wide instrument console sits behind the three-spoke steering wheel, while the touchscreen infotainment system has a free-standing design covering much of the centre console. 

The corners of this vertical dashboard have slim and horizontally wide AC vents on the corners, while the lower part of the dashboard has another wide and horizontally stretched panel in its lower part that houses the sleek central AC vents. The centre tunnel between the powered front seats has satin silver-finished switches and a drive mode controller. The all-black-themed cabin of the BAIC B30e Dune also has contrast red highlights on the dashboard and door pads. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: The wide design of the dashboard makes the cabin feel more spacious

Con: The huge size of the infotainment system can be distracting while driving 

Features and Technology

Being a new-generation product, the BAIC B30e Dune is well-equipped in terms of comfort and convenience features. Both the variants of this hybrid SUV have features like a 10.25-inch full-TFT instrument console, a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an 8-speaker audio system and a tilt and telescopic adjustable multi-functional steering wheel.

The other common features in both the variants of BAIC B30e Dune are a 6-way powered driver’s seat, 4-way powered co-drivers seat, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear AC vents, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, a panoramic sunroof, three USB Type-C charging ports, two 12V charging ports and a 220V charging port. The 4x4 variant further gets ventilated front seats, a wireless charger and grab handles on the B-pillar. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Equipment levels in both variants

Con: The touch responsiveness of the infotainment system could have been better

Boot Space and Storage

While BAIC hasn’t revealed the official boot space of the B30e Dune with the rear seats up, the hybrid SUV has a massive boot space of 1,496 litres after folding down the 60:40 split rear seats, which are available in both of its variants. The B30e Dune also has a few usable storage spaces in the cabin, including the cup holders in the front lower centre console and rear seat centre armrest, bottle holders in all four doors, a small storage space in the lower centre console and the conventional glovebox. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Humongous boot space after folding down the rear seats

Con: No map pockets in rear doors

With an upright stance and squarish profile, the BAIC B30e Dune has a traditional SUV-ish appearance that complements its modern design elements.

Based on the second-generation BJ30, the B30e Dune has a wraparound headlamp cluster at the front, which seamlessly merges well with the closed grille. Featuring segmented LED DRLs around the front fascia, the B30e Dune has all-LED, auto-levelling headlamps on the corners with rounded lower edges. The tiny vertically aligned LED fog lamps (in the 4x4 variant) and the wide and thick silver skid plate on the blacked-out front bumper add more distinctiveness to the front profile of the B30e Dune. 

The elevated bonnet line and window waistline of the BAIC B30e Dune further make it look authoritative when viewed from the side. This hybrid SUV has blacked-out cladding over the rounded wheel arches, with the 19-inch machined alloy wheels further making the side profile look stylish. The 4x4 variant also has LED fender flare lights, adding more bling to the side profile. The SUV also has silver roof rails, wide and uniquely designed C-pillars and gloss black door-mounted rearview mirrors.

At the back, the BAIC B30e Dune has vertically aligned LED tail lamps positioned below the wraparound rear quarter windows. The SUV also gets a high-mounted LED stop lamp at the rear, rain-sensing wipers and a powered tailgate, with the 4x4 variant having a side step-board for easier ingress and egress. The four colour choices offered in the BAIC B30e Dune are green, white, black and grey. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Bold SUV-ish design with an upright stance

Cons: Could have had a higher ground clearance for a more imposing stance

BAIC hasn’t released the official claims of fuel efficiency for the B30e Dune. However, the users of this hybrid SUV have been reporting an economy of 12-13 kmpl in city driving conditions and 19-20 kmpl in highway driving conditions. In mixed driving conditions, the fuel efficiency reported by the owners ranges between 17-18 kmpl, which is quite impressive for an SUV this large. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: Good fuel efficiency on highways

Con: City efficiency could have been better

The BAIC B30e Dune has been positioned as an off-road, go-anywhere SUV, and the off-roading data proves this fact. With an approach angle of 24.5 degrees, a departure angle of 30 degrees and a ramp angle of 21 degrees, the B30e Dune offers decent off-road driving behaviour. However, we do feel that its water-wading depth of 450mm is quite low for full-blown off-roading in water-logged situations.

Both the variants of BAIC B30e Dune have a suspension setup of Macpherson struts at the front and a multi-link at the rear, with the SUV having 19-inch wheels and tyres that give it a good dynamic drive experience. However, the extremely light and sensitive steering feel dilutes the driving experience slightly at higher speeds. 

Both the variants of the B30e Dune also come with drive modes like comfort, sport, economy and snow, with the 4x4 variant also getting off-road-spec modes like sand, muddy road and wading. 

Pros and Cons:

Pro: Decent off-road driving behaviour 

Con: Steering stability could have been better at higher speeds 

Both the variants of BAIC B30e Dune are powered by different sets of hybrid powertrains, as clearly evident by their names – 4x2 and 4x4. The lower-spec 4x2 variant has a single front axle electric motor with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine working as a generator. The performance outputs of this powertrain setup are rated at 329 bhp and 550 Nm.

The more-premium 4x4 variant of BAIC B30e Dune has a dual motor setup, with one motor each at the front and rear, along with the same 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine working as a generator. Here, the maximum power and torque outputs are rated at 403 bhp and 685 Nm respectively. Both the variants of B30e Dune come equipped with a 2-speed dedicated hybrid automatic transmission.

Pros and cons:

Pro: Powerful hybrid powertrain choices

Con: Powertrains can be noisy while operating at higher RPMs

Both the variants of the BAIC B30e Dune are heavily equipped with both conventional and modern ADAS features. The general safety features available in both the variants of this hybrid SUV are ABS with EBD and brake assist, electronic stability program, traction control, roll movement intervention, hill start assist, hill descent control, tyre pressure monitoring system, a 360-degree parking camera, ISOFIX mounts for child seats, six airbags and front and rear parking sensors. 

The additional ADAS functions offered in both variants of BAIC B30e Dune are adaptive cruise control with integrated cruise assist, auto high beam, blind spot monitoring system, lane assist system, lane change assist, emergency lane keep assist, forward collision warning, rear collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross travel warning and braking and door opening warning. This move of offering all the safety features as standard in both of its variants is truly appreciated by BAIC. 

Pros and cons:

Pro: All conventional and ADAS features are offered as standard

Con: Nothing much actually

Competitor Comparison

There is a whole range of series hybrid, range extender hybrid, and plug-in hybrid SUVs available in the Philippine car market. Among those SUVs and crossovers, the direct rivals to the BAIC B30e Dune are Changan Nevo Q05, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro Hybrid, Kaiyi X7, Toyota Corolla Cross, BYD Sealion 6 DM-i, DFSK E5, Jetour X70 Lightning i-DM, Hyundai Tucson, GWM Haval H6, Dongfeng Aeolus Huge, Honda CR-V, Kia Sorento, Mazda CX-30, and Lynk & Co 01.  

Conclusion and Final Verdict

As a car manufacturer, BAIC has a long way to go in establishing itself as a recognised brand in the Philippines car market, which already has a range of several global giants. Amidst the competition from them, the BAIC B30e Dune is a well-priced range extender hybrid SUV that has a lot of features offered as standard and potent powertrain choices that give it an edge over its pricier alternatives.