In the domestic auto market, young people are gradually becoming the main consumer group. Vehicles with a rugged appearance, powerful performance, and spacious interiors are more favored by young buyers. For me, off-road SUVs are especially appealing. Since the beginning of this year, BYD, a major player in China's new energy car market, has been leading in both technology and price, launching many competitively priced models with excellent performance. Among them is the BYD Fangcheng Leopard series, which introduced the mid-size SUV Leopard 5 last year. Recently, its official price dropped by 50.000 yuan. This car is built on the DMO super hybrid off-road platform, and it has been well-received by the market since its release. Currently, there are four versions of the Fangcheng Leopard 5 on sale, with prices ranging from 239.800 to 302.800 yuan.
Today, I’m taking you through an experience with the 2024 Cloud Chassis Luxury Edition, priced at 279.800 yuan. Its excellent design and impressive performance have attracted a lot of attention from consumers. Let’s take a deeper look at its features.
Exterior Design
First, let’s talk about the exterior design of the Leopard 5. From my personal review experience, the Leopard 5 differs slightly from other hardcore off-road vehicles in that it balances off-road capability with family use. My first impression of this car was that it looked rugged and bold, immediately catching the eye. The car features a brand-new exterior design language, with a boxy body exuding an off-road vibe. The front of the car has a large black grille, combined with a full-width front LED light strip and rectangular air intake, giving it a tough and sturdy appearance. The overall design is compact yet powerful, perfectly fitting the aesthetic preferences of young consumers.
Side Profile
Moving to the side, the vehicle makes extensive use of straight lines, which highlights its boxy shape while maintaining a coordinated look. The black fender flares above the wheels not only enhance the stability of the vehicle but also emphasize its unique off-road SUV style. In terms of dimensions, the car measures 4890mm in length, 1970mm in width, and 1920mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2800mm. It’s a 5-door, 5-seat SUV, and the 2.8-meter wheelbase ensures ample space for passengers inside. The 18-inch blackened wheels provide both a spacious and comfortable interior and stable driving performance.
Rear Design
At the rear, the vehicle has a solid and robust design. The vertical taillights and high-mounted brake light offer a unique visual effect, making the back look cleaner and uncluttered. The externally mounted spare tire further enhances the off-road feel. It’s worth noting that the rear door opens laterally, making the back of the car appear even neater and more streamlined.
Interior
Once inside, the Leopard 5’s interior features a T-shaped layout. The center console is clean and simple, with a large metal panel behind it that enhances the sense of quality inside the cabin. There’s no trace of a traditional off-road vehicle interior here; the cabin is devoid of unnecessary physical buttons, with most functions controlled through the central touchscreen. This further emphasizes the tech-savvy and intelligent design typical of new energy vehicles. The car is also equipped with a three-spoke, flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel, a 12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster, and a 15.6-inch floating center screen. Inside is the DiLink intelligent car system, which offers features such as GPS navigation, roadside assistance, and Bluetooth calls. The instrument panel is clear and user-friendly, providing easy access to essential driving information.
The central control screen operates smoothly, and the voice recognition system is notably intelligent. By saying "Hello, Xiaofang," you can activate it to give various commands. The system supports multi-user zone control and real-time online navigation updates, catering to various travel needs. Additionally, the car has entertainment features like karaoke and 16 speakers for high-quality audio. If you’re planning a camping trip, you can definitely enjoy the entertainment features it offers. The vehicle also comes standard with a dashcam, 50W wireless phone charging, 5G network connectivity, remote start, and a soothing mode. It also features 110V/220V/230V power outlets and external discharge functions, making it suitable for outdoor camping and family activities.
Driving Assistance and Safety Features
The car is equipped with an L2-level intelligent driving assistance system. While it doesn’t offer advanced self-driving features, it includes an array of ADAS functions such as multi-directional collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, full-speed adaptive cruise control, 360-degree panoramic view with transparent chassis, and automatic lane change assistance. These features offer ample support, and the warning system promptly alerts drivers in case of emergencies, reducing the risk of accidents even for new drivers. It ensures safety during family road trips.
Seating and Space
The Leopard 5 adopts a five-seat layout, and the interior is equipped with stylish and comfortable materials. The seats are designed ergonomically to provide better support, covered with faux leather for both comfort and durability. This also elevates the overall quality of the cabin. The interior space is quite ample as well. Sitting in the front seat offers a broad driving view, and for a person like me, 175cm tall, there’s about one fist and four fingers of headroom left. In the back, there’s about two fists of headroom and around two to almost three fists of legroom. Additionally, the rear floor is flat, offering a spacious and comfortable seating area.
Power and Performance
The Leopard 5 is powered by a plug-in hybrid system that combines a 1.5T turbocharged engine with four-wheel-drive electric motors. It’s paired with an E-CVT transmission. The engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 194Ps, a maximum power of 143kW, and a maximum torque of 273N·m. The combined electric motor output reaches 485kW, with 660Ps and 760N·m of torque. These specs show that the vehicle is quite powerful. With the engine and dual motors, the Leopard 5 boasts a maximum torque of 760N·m and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, providing ample power for off-road adventures.
Battery and Range
In terms of battery and range, the car is equipped with BYD’s blade battery, which has a capacity of 31.8kWh. It supports fast charging and a mobile power station function. The vehicle offers a pure electric range of 125km and a combined range of 1.200km, meeting the needs of users for long-distance travel.
Driving Experience
During the test drive, the car performed excellently both on urban roads and in off-road conditions, delivering enough torque to handle various terrains. The power output was responsive at start-up, with a linear throttle response. Different driving modes are available to suit various needs. As a hardcore off-road vehicle equipped with DMO technology, the Leopard 5 comes with a range of off-road features, including electric four-wheel drive, two/three differential locks, low-speed four-wheel drive, crawl mode, leopard-style turning, water-wading sensors, and multi-terrain driving modes. Many owners have already shared their off-road experiences online, and the vehicle’s performance is clear.
Chassis and Suspension
Finally, in terms of chassis, the Leopard 5 features double-wishbone independent suspension both front and rear. The steering feel varies depending on the mode, and the suspension system offers stable control over the body, absorbing vibrations well.
Conclusion
Overall, the BYD Leopard 5 offers a great combination of performance, with its youthful and sporty exterior, rich interior features, and powerful drivetrain. Backed by BYD’s brand, it caters to a diverse range of consumers, especially young buyers seeking a unique vehicle. If you’re looking for an SUV that excels both in urban driving and off-road performance, the Leopard 5 is definitely a strong contender.
