BAIC X55 Verve

The BAIC X55 Verve’s cabin has a predominantly black finish with some yellow stitches all around. It looks sporty and premium for its price range. It also has motorsport-like leather seats that are not the plushiest but still provide decent cushioning and support even on longer trips. 

Upfront, you are greeted with a high-tech dashboard. It comes with a 10.1-inch infotainment display that is connected to an 8-speaker sound system and is equipped with smartphone mirroring, Bluetooth, and USB. However, it doesn’t have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Another flaw with its cabin layout is its no-button dashboard, which is quite an inconvenience and a bit overwhelming for some.

The drivers are greeted with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a leather multifunction steering wheel, and a high-tech looking electronic shifter. The X55 Verve comes with a wireless phone charger, multiple USB outlets, and two 12V charging ports. It also comes with ambient lighting and a panoramic sunroof. 

In terms of dimensions, the BAIC X55 Verve measures 4,620 mm in length, 1,886 mm in width, and 1,680 mm in height. It has a 2,735 mm wheelbase and a 160 mm ground clearance.

The BAIC X55 Verve has that appealing futuristic design that most new-generation EVs have today. It looks smart and sporty, appealing to many Gen Z and Millennial drivers out there. At the front, it has a sleek pair of DRLs, which the brand calls the “Star Trails Ambient Lights”. And like other modern Chinese vehicles, its LED projector headlights are located underneath. In between the headlights is an eye-catching “Crystal Diamond Interstellar” grille, which gives it a clean, distinctive facade on the road. 

Unlike its facade, which adopted loud design elements and cues, its side view looks more tamed like a typical modern crossover. It still has that futuristic vibe, courtesy of its body color flush door handles. It also has a sporty, elegant silhouette enhanced by black door mouldings and chrome window trims. It runs on blacked-out 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

At the back, its hypermodern character is evident once again. It comes with LED tail lights that have a unique light pattern as well as rear fog lights for more visibility. It has a split-type spoiler for more sportiness. And, it comes with an intelligent, power tailgate for increased convenience and an enhanced premium feeling. 

The BAIC X55 Verve utilizes a MacPherson strut suspension at the front, while a Multi-link suspension at the rear. This suspension setup allows this crossover to have a pretty decent handling even at highway speeds. Its ride is on the firm side of things. But, it isn't too firm to disrupt the riding experience of everyone on board. Its absorption of bumps and other road imperfections is still pretty decent but is not the best in its segment. Overall, you and your family can still enjoy a stable and light cruising experience with the X55 Verve.

The BAIC X55 Verve is powered by a 1.5L, in-line 4, Turbocharged gasoline engine that has a maximum power output of 188 PS and a maximum torque of 305 Nm. It utilizes a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and a front-wheel drivetrain. This crossover is equipped with four drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Smart.

For a compact crossover under the 1M mark, this car runs exceptionally well both in the city and on the highway. Its transmission is also very smooth and responsive. You’ll have no issues using this as your daily commuter in the city, as well as bringing it for your weekend out-of-town trips with family and friends since it also has a great fuel economy. Its NVH suppression, however, could still be improved in the future.

The BAIC X55 Verve is equipped with an ADAS suite. This includes adaptive cruise control, integrated cruise assist, intelligent high beam control, blind spot monitoring system, lane keep assist, emergency lane assist, forward collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking. It is also equipped with a long list of safety and security features such as four parking sensors at the front and six at the rear.

In terms of braking, it utilizes ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. 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.

The BAIC X55 Verve would make a great daily vehicle for budget-oriented consumers who are looking for a daily vehicle that offers space, premium features, and a commendable performance on the road. With more marketing and publicity, this crossover has the potential to become more competitive within the Philippines’ competitive crossover landscape.