Haima S5

Interior materials have a quality feel thanks to faux leather trim on the seats and the 2-way adjustable steering wheel and nearly every surface that you are likely to come in contact with. Build quality is top notch and the materials feel nice. The seats are deep and comfortable. The rear seats can fit three in comfort and include an armrest that can be deployed as needed. Infotainment is well sorted with a 7” LCD screen and 6 speakers. USB and Bluetooth connectivity are well taken care of but surprisingly Haima also provides a CD and DVD player. This screen is mounted on top of the center console and can be viewed easily without looking away from the road. It is not the most intuitive or the best to use however. Inside there is a lot of space for passengers and the sunroof helps in creating an even roomier ambiance. There are as many as 30 storage spaces for maps and whatnot. The cargo capacity is 320 L which can be expanded by folding the seats flat. The trunk also comes with its own 12V power outlet. The driver gets to use a double barrel TFT dashboard mounted on the new design console in the flying wing shape and an elegant 4-spoke steering wheel with mounted controls for audio and cruise control. Said cruise control, however, is only present on the highest variant while push-button ignition is only available with the 1.5 L engine equipped variants.

Exterior design in the Haima S5 has not changed a lot from the older model. The overall shape tries to inspire a more European vibe in trying to depart from its Mazda roots. The dimensions are ideal for city driving at 4358 mm (L) X 1823 mm (W) X 1630 mm (H). Overhangs are kept minimum for similar reasons. The sculpted bonnet goes well with its compact proportions. The front fascia with its overturned two slat chrome grille and large logo is distinct enough. The lighting cluster with LED DRLs cuts a handsome picture that goes well with the rest of the design. The side view is dominated by sculpted flanks that help it stand out from the crowd. The rear three-quarter look is especially attractive with the taillight cluster reaching into the clamshell door and the sporty rear spoiler. Special mention also goes to the swanky 17-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60 tires.   

The Haima S5 uses independent MacPherson strut suspension for the front and a multi-link setup for the rear. The suspension copes well with road imperfections. The tires are quiet and provide a comfortable ride. This is not really a very dynamic setup and is best suited for relaxed cruising. The heavy steering is also not very supportive of spirited driving. The low seating is not the best when it comes to getting a view of the outside when trying to park for instance. But with the help of the 360-degree parking camera on the Noble variants, it is not a very difficult task.

Braking is provided by disc brakes on the front and drum brakes on the rear. ABS with EBD and brake assist are standard across the four variants but the ESC is only available on the Noble variants. As are the tire pressure monitoring system. There are many reminders including those for the parking brake, speed limit, and front seat belts. Airbags are provided for the driver and front passenger on all variants, but the side airbags and side curtain airbags are only available on the Noble variants.

The Haima S5 is already somewhat of a sales success for the company and for good reason. It provides some of the more premium features in an affordable package. Reliability and service availability has also improved by a lot and should not really be a concern anymore. If you can look past the Chinese image, you may just have a very good compact SUV on your hands.