BAIC B80 Wagon

Inside, the BAIC B80 Wagon’s cabin has an abundance of soft-touch materials and niceties, giving off an expensive vibe for all occupants. There are loads of room both in the front and second rows as well as trunk space for your cargo and baggage. Its Nappa leather seats provide supportive cushioning and good ergonomics, making sure that you and your passengers are relaxed even on longer out-of-town trips. It also comes with ambient lighting and a sunroof for a more premium touch.

Drivers can enjoy its high-tech cockpit, which features a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with dynamic off-road information display, a leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, and a techy-looking electronic gear shifter, which enables you to have that satisfying pilot experience. 

For entertainment and information accessibility, this SUV comes with an 8-inch infotainment display that is connected to a 7-speaker sound system and is equipped with Bluetooth, smartphone mirroring, and a USB outlet. Speaking of outlets, it has three USB outlets (front row: 2, center console: 1), three 12V charging ports (front row: 1, second row: 1, rear: 1), and one 220V power outlet at the rear.

From the outside, the BAIC B80 Wagon resembles the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, which is not an issue since the two have formed a joint venture brand (i.e., Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd.). It carries the same brashness as its German counterpart, while featuring distinct design cues of its own. Its assertive facade is enhanced by a sporty-looking black grille and a chrome bumper. It has a strong flare courtesy of its round LED projector headlights, DRLs, and fog lights. 

Its boxy architecture is very evident on both sides. It has rugged, rectangular fenders and a stepboard for easier ingress and egress. It also has a premium two-toned silhouette enhanced by chrome door mouldings and gloss black door mirrors. Meanwhile, trailing behind this wagon, its enormous and ravishing rear design will definitely catch your attention. It comes with LED tail lights, a high mount stop light for increased visibility, and a clean spare tire cover displaying the BAIC lettering. For a more sporty touch, it also comes with a chrome rear bumper, housing its dual exhausts.

The BAIC B80 Wagon measures 4,765 mm in length, 1,955 mm in width, and 1,985 mm in height. It has a 2,800 mm wheelbase and a 215 mm ground clearance. This wagon runs on a robust set of 20-inch alloy wheels.

The BAIC B80 Wagon utilizes a suspension combination of a Double Wishbone at the front and a Multi-link at the rear. It is pretty adaptable on different kinds of roads, even on rough out-of-town terrain. It delivers impressive handling, considering its size. Its ride quality offers just the right balance of firmness and softness. Hence, everyone on board can enjoy a comfortable riding experience inside this Wagon.

The BAIC B80 Wagon is powered by a 3.0L V6 gasoline engine that produces a maximum power output of 206 PS and a maximum torque of 420 Nm. It comes equipped with BAIC’s ZF 8-speed automatic transmission system and utilizes a part-time all-wheel drivetrain. It is equipped with four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow.

This wagon’s powertrain has a smooth transmission and power delivery, enabling the driver to overtake and drive at high speeds on free-flowing highways with ease. Its NVH suppression system is decent but not groundbreaking, given that it has a boxy architecture. 

However, one of the main flaws of this vehicle is that it has a strong thirst for fuel. If you're an economically-minded driver, then this car would not be ideal for you, since owning one comes with high fuel costs. But, then again, this car is made for the VIPs. That said, it runs smoothly and has a nice pull fit for the standards of the elites in society.

Unfortunately, the BAIC B80 Wagon only comes with cruise control as its lone advanced driver assistance system. In terms of safety, it is equipped with multiple airbags, seatbelts, four front parking sensors, four rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, an anti-theft system with immobilizer, and a tire pressure monitoring system.

 Its braking setup is supported by an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, electronic stability program, traction control system, hill start assist, and hill descent control. It utilizes ventilated discs for both front and rear braking.

In my opinion, the BAIC B80 Wagon’s placement in the local market has a potential to become more competitive moving forward. It has a ride quality and a set of premium features, which resemble that of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. But, the B80 Wagon is more accessible and less intimidating than its German counterpart.