BAIC Xingtan 5X: Chinese Defender-like vehicle with a range of 625 km at a low price
The Land Rover Defender now has another Chinese counterpart. The new BAIC Xingtan 5X resembles the British off-roader so much that it has already earned the nickname “Poor man’s Defender” in China. Yet beneath its angular exterior lies surprisingly modern technology. The all-electric version boasts a range of 625 kilometers, an 800-volt battery system, and costs only around 16,000 euros when converted.
A Land Rover Defender, but made in China
A angular body, a nearly flat roof, large wheel arches, and a front end that bears a striking resemblance to the Land Rover Defender. The new BAIC Xingtan 5X makes no effort to hide these similarities. Even the brand name on the front is positioned roughly where the “Defender” logo appears on the British SUV.
On Chinese social media, the car has already earned nicknames such as “People’s Defender” and “Poor man’s Defender.” Given its price, the latter nickname isn’t entirely unfounded. The Xingtan 5X is also a substantial vehicle, measuring 4.87 meters in length, 2 meters in width, and 1.91 meters in height. With the optional spare wheel at the back, its length even exceeds 5 meters slightly. Yet it isn’t a traditional off-road vehicle. BAIC developed this five-seater SUV primarily for everyday use, with enough capabilities to handle occasional off-road driving.
Interest is certainly high. According to CnEVPost, 30,208 orders were placed during the first 23 days of pre-sales.
BAIC has previously looked to Mercedes-Benz and Jeep
The name BAIC will mean little to many Dutch motorists. Yet it is by no means a new automobile manufacturer. BAIC stands for Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation and is a Chinese state-owned company owned by the Beijing government. The company’s history dates back to 1958.
BAIC has also been producing off-road vehicles for decades. In 1966, the Beijing BJ212 was introduced—a rugged vehicle that was used by the Chinese army for many years. However, the manufacturer also has a notable history with cars that closely resemble well-known Western models. For instance, the BAIC BJ80 and BJ81 share significant similarities with the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The first generation BJ40, on the other hand, looks a lot like the Jeep Wrangler. This is particularly interesting because BAIC actually has or has had business ties with both manufacturers. Through the joint venture Beijing Benz, the company produces Mercedes-Benz vehicles in China, and it collaborated with the American company AMC, which was the owner of Jeep at the time, starting in the 1980s.
According to CarNewsChina, the new Xingtan 5X fits into a long tradition of BAIC models that are clearly inspired by well-known off-road vehicles. The resemblance to the Land Rover Defender is therefore not an isolated case. However, there is a significant difference: while BAIC had business ties with Mercedes-Benz and Jeep, there is no similar partnership with Jaguar Land Rover.
Incidentally, BAIC’s history also explains why different brand names appear. BAIC is the parent company, Beijing is used as a car brand, and Beijing Off-road is the specialized off-road and SUV division. The Xingtan 5X is the first model in a new series of electrified SUVs.
Electric driving with a range of 625 kilometers
Beneath its angular exterior lies quite modern electric technology. The all-electric Xingtan 5X features rear-wheel drive and an electric motor with 227 kW (304 hp). The battery pack has a capacity of 81.9 kWh.
According to China’s CLTC testing method, the SUV can travel 625 kilometers on a charge. This is an attractive figure, though the range is usually lower under the stricter European WLTP testing method.
The charging technology is also interesting. Thanks to the 800-volt system, the battery can be charged from 30% to 80% in just 14.5 minutes according to BAIC. These are performance levels you wouldn’t expect from an electric SUV in this price range.
Plug-in hybrid with a massive battery pack
In addition to the fully electric version, BAIC also offers a plug-in hybrid. It combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with a notably large battery pack of 50.4 kWh. This is significantly more than many other plug-in hybrids.
Depending on the trim, the electric range is 285 to 310 kilometers according to the Chinese CLTC cycle. The front-wheel-drive version features an electric motor of 200 kW. The all-wheel-drive version adds a second electric motor of 200 kW, resulting in a total electric motor power of 400 kW (544 hp).
The all-wheel-drive versions also come equipped with fourteen off-road modes, a limited-slip differential on the rear axle, and crawl control. These features should enable the Xingtan 5X to perform well even off paved roads.
Huawei provides advanced driving assistance
Inside, BAIC opts for a modern interior with large screens and numerous digital features. The simpler versions come equipped with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and an 8.8-inch digital instrument panel. The luxury versions feature two 15.6-inch screens controlled by a Qualcomm 8295P chip.
For driving assistance, BAIC partners with Huawei. Certain versions are fitted with the Qiankun ADS 5 Pro system, which uses 27 sensors, including a LiDAR sensor behind the windshield. This enables the Xingtan 5X to offer features such as highway driving support and various automatic parking functions. Advanced driving assistance in urban areas requires a paid subscription.
Land Rover takes legal action against Chinese copycats
The striking resemblance to the Defender is particularly interesting given a recent lawsuit in the Netherlands. Jaguar Land Rover accuses BYD of the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 7, another Chinese SUV with a angular design, infringing on the Defender’s design rights.
In August, Jaguar Land Rover therefore seized documents from BYD’s Dutch subsidiaries. But on November 11, 2026, the court in The Hague ruled that this seizure of evidence had to be lifted. Jaguar Land Rover must instruct the relevant bailiff or custodian to destroy the seized data. If this is not done within the specified timeframe, a fine of up to 500,000 euros may be imposed. According to CarNewsChina, the judge found the documents unnecessary to support the alleged design infringement. This was also because BYD had not yet sold the Tai 7 in the European Union at that time.
The ruling does not mean that BYD has definitively won the legal battle. Separate proceedings are still ongoing regarding whether the design indeed infringes on Land Rover’s rights.
Now BAIC has also entered the market with an SUV that bears a striking resemblance to the Defender. It is unknown whether the British manufacturer will take legal action against BAIC. Of course, it’s perfectly fine to build a rugged SUV. The question is rather where inspiration ends and the copying of recognizable design elements begins.
A Defender look at a fraction of the price
Perhaps the most notable feature of the BAIC Xingtan 5X is its price. In China, the fully electric version starts at 126,900 yuan, which is approximately 16,000 euros. Even the most expensive version, with its temporary launch price of 171,900 yuan, costs only about 21,000 euros when converted.
Those are Chinese prices, not including European taxes, import duties, and other costs. Therefore, the amounts are not directly comparable to Dutch consumer prices. It is also still unknown whether the Xingtan 5X will ever arrive in the Netherlands. Yet this SUV once again demonstrates how quickly Chinese manufacturers are developing their electric models—a large SUV with 800-volt technology, a substantial battery pack, and advanced driving assistance at a price at which you still can’t buy a compact electric car in Europe.
What about the appearance? Land Rover is likely to be less enthusiastic about it. But for Chinese buyers, the combination of a familiar off-road design, modern technology, and a low price seems to work well for now.
Text: Marc Verweij