BAIC B40 Ragnar

The BAIC B40 Ragnar’s cabin gets faux-leather upholstery complemented by soft-touch fabric accents. The seats are comfortable and supportive. The power-adjustable front seats enhance driver and passenger comfort. The rear seats offer generous legroom and can be folded and tumbled to maximize cargo capacity. The dashboard features large, clearly marked dials and buttons for the all-wheel-drive system. A grab handle over the glove compartment and strategically placed similar handles throughout the cabin facilitate easy ingress and egress. The vehicle comes with removable roof panels allowing for an open-air driving.

Other unique design elements include black woven polyester belt handles on the roof frame. Hard plastic materials are strategically used in areas prone to wear, ensuring durability during off-road travelling.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Rugged and comfortable interior

Cons: Extensive use of hard plastics

Features and Technology

The dashboard of the BAIC B40 Ragnar is dominated by a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment unit. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for seamless smartphone integration. Additionally, the system includes a built-in dashcam that enhances safety and convenience. The screen is crisp with good brightness and responsiveness, even under daylight glare. The vehicle comes equipped with a six-speaker standard audio system.

The BAIC B40 Ragnar gets a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument panel that replaces traditional analog dials with a configurable digital display. It offers multiple viewing modes, including off-road telemetry, fuel economy data, and digital speed readouts.

The BAIC B40 Ragnar comes with a dual-zone automatic climate control system, with individual temperature settings for the driver and front passenger.

Pros and cons

Pros: User-friendly climate control 

Cons: Average audio quality

Boot Space and Storage

The BAIC B40 Ragnar provides a cargo capacity of 532 liters with the rear seats upright, which expands to 965 liters when the 60:40 split-folding rear seats are folded down. The flexibility allows for easy accommodation of various cargo sizes, making it suitable for both daily errands and extended trip. The swing-out tailgate, and flip-up rear window enhance loading convenience and versatility.

Inside the cabin, the BAIC B40 Ragnar comes with a glove compartment with grab handle, and door pockets and a central console storage. Ample storage spaces are integrated into the doors allowing for convenient placement of items. The rear seats get adjustable recline angles for passenger comfort.

These features collectively contribute to a practical and user-friendly interior, catering to both daily commuting and off-road trips.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Spacious cargo area

Cons: Minimal underfloor storage

The BAIC B40 Ragnar measures 4,645mm in length, 1,925mm in width, and 1,871mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 2,745mm. 

The BAIC B40 Ragnar sports a bold, angular architecture that’s inspired by military-grade utility vehicles. The squared-off lines and upright stance convey durability and power, while design cues like exposed door hinges and flared wheel arches give it a strong presence on the road or trail.

The BAIC B40 Ragnar gets a five-slat front grille. Each one of them is outlined in matte black trim and integrates seamlessly with the rugged front bumper. The car gets all-around LED lighting. The headlights include projector-style low beams and reflectors for high beams. Daytime running lights (DRLs) are encased within the headlamp housing. The fog lamps are located within the bumper recesses. The SUV is equipped with nearly 200 light elements that include rear fog lights and license plate illumination

The B40 Ragnar features is mounted on a high-tensile steel underbody for enhanced resistance against rocks and rough terrain. The two-piece Targa-style panels above the front seats allow open-air driving. These can be manually removed and stowed.

On the side, the BAIC B40 Ragnar’s black plastic cladding extends along the wheel arches and lower body. The functional side steps provide easy ingress and egress, particularly useful given the SUV’s elevated ground clearance. The 17-inch alloy wheels are black-finished and paired with all-terrain tires. The large side mirrors offers excellent rear visibility.

The full-size spare tire is mounted on the swing-out tailgate. The vertically-stacked taillights get a smoked finish. The high-positioned rear reflectors and tow-points are ready for recovery situations. The rear window defogger and wiper offers better visibility in harsh weather.

Pros and Cons

Pros: Commanding road presence

Cons: Potential for wind noise

Diesel SUVs aren’t exactly fuel efficient but the BAIC B40 Ragnar still manages to offer a decent fuel economy. Under urban conditions, the SUV delivers a fuel efficiency of 8–10kmpl. On highways, the mileage increases to 12–14kmpl. The BAIC B40 Ragnar comes with a 75-liter fuel tank capacity.

Pros and cons

Pros: Efficient diesel powertrain

Cons: Large fuel tank

The BAIC B40 Ragnar comes with a double wishbone independent front suspension and a multi-link rear setup. The suspension system is tuned with a clear bias toward off-road compliance rather than refined, sporty road behaviour. On paved roads, the B40 Ragnar offers a ride quality that’s comparable to traditional off-road SUVs. It feels robust but a bit floaty over undulating surfaces. Over urban potholes and speed bumps, the suspension effectively absorbs shocks, though some vertical body movement is noticeable due to the long-travel setup and body-on-frame construction. The SUV can handle rocky terrain, river crossings (600 mm fording depth), and steep inclines with ease, showing little chassis stress or wheel hop.

Body roll is pronounced, particularly in fast corners or during sudden steering inputs. This is expected because of the vehicle’s high center of gravity and soft off-road suspension tuning.

Pros: Exceptional off-road capability

Cons: Noticeable body roll

The BAIC B40 Ragnar is hauled by a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 2.0-liter diesel engine that produces 161PS/380Nm. The motor is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission (AT). The Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Snow modes adapt to various driving conditions. Additionally, the part-time all-wheel-drive system, complemented by front and rear locking differentials, ensures optimal traction on challenging terrains.

While the powertrain performs adequately, some drivers may find the low-end torque insufficient for quick acceleration in stop-and-go traffic. Engaging the Sport mode or manually shifting gears can help mitigate the issue.

In an urban environment, the BAIC B40 Ragnar exhibits a commanding presence. But the substantial weight of 2,140 kg and the engine's power delivery, which peaks around 3,000 rpm, makes acceleration feel gradual in stop-and-go traffic. On highways, the SUV offers a stable and composed ride. The AT ensures the engine operates efficiently at cruising speeds. 

Pros and cons

Pros: Robust highway performance

Cons: Underwhelming low-end torque

The BAIC B40 Ragnar comes with a reverse camera and rear sensors to aid in parking. Other safety equipment includes antilock braking, electronic stability control, traction control system, hill-start assist, hill descent control, brake-assist, tire pressure monitoring system, six airbags, and child seat anchors. 

Driver-assist features include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, intelligent high beam control,   blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and lane keep assist, and forward and rear collision warning. 

Pros and cons

Pros: Comprehensive safety suite

Cons: Limited driver-assist system

Competitor Comparison

The Toyota Fortuner is a close competitor of the BAIC B40 Ragnar in the Philippines market. Both are top contenders in the midsize SUV segment. The Ragnar is a rugged, off-road-focused SUV with military-inspired styling, locking differentials, and higher ground clearance, ideal for adventurous terrain. The Toyota Fortuner offers a more refined and family-friendly package with better ride comfort, superior resale value, and Toyota’s trusted reliability. The Fortuner also features more advanced safety tech and wider after-sales support. However, the Ragnar stands out in raw off-road capability and unique design. The choice depends on priorities. For urban versatility and brand trust, it’s the Toyota Fortuner, while for off-road prowess and distinctive styling, it’s the BAIC B40 Ragnar.

Conclusion and Final Verdict

The BAIC B40 Ragnar is a bold and capable SUV that stands out with its rugged design, serious off-road hardware, and versatile utility. It’s tailored for adventurers who value function over flash, offering impressive ground clearance, locking differentials, and a practical, modular cabin. While it may lack some refinement and brand prestige of pricier rivals, its performance-to-price ratio makes the SUV a smart choice for off-road enthusiasts. For those seeking a reliable, adventure-ready vehicle with modern comforts at a competitive price point, the B40 Ragnar delivers solid value and a commanding presence both on and off the beaten path.