Chengdu Motor Show 2025: Top 5 SUVs and Crossovers

Highlights of Chengdu Motor Show 2025: Haval Big Dog PLUS, BAIC BJ40 EREV, Changan CS75 Plus, Hyundai Palisade Hybrid, Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5.

The Chengdu Motor Show 2025 has once again proved to be the pulse of China’s car market. Running from August 29 to September 7 at the Western China International Expo City, the show turned the spotlight on SUVs, the country’s best-selling segment. This year’s highlights reveal more than just new sheet metal: they showcase how China’s SUV scene is reinventing itself, from freshened mass-market crossovers to bold premium off-roaders with hybrid and electric muscle.

Haval Big Dog PLUS: boxy charm with new tech

The updated Big Dog keeps its square silhouette but sharpens its game inside. Coffee OS 3 runs on a 14.6-inch display, paired with a new steering wheel and improved interface. On the road, the 2.0T AWD model flexes with GWM’s sixth-gen AWD system, offering locking differentials and eight driving modes. Starting at 123,900 yuan, it blends rugged looks with surprising sophistication.

BAIC BJ40 EREV: a ladder-frame SUV goes “new energy”

Perhaps the boldest shift comes from BAIC. The BJ40 Range Extender marries classic off-road DNA with a 40.3 kWh battery and generator engine, promising up to 1,200 km of CLTC range. Performance is equally striking: 0–100 km/h in 5.5 seconds with dual-motor AWD. It’s a signal that even hardcore off-roaders are no longer immune to electrification.

Changan CS75 Plus: the all-rounder crossover

Changan plays it smart with the refreshed CS75 Plus, keeping it affordable yet well-equipped. The Blue Whale 1.5T (192 hp) and 2.0T (233 hp) engines are familiar but now paired with stronger value: a 2800 mm wheelbase for more space, a triple-screen setup, and modern driver-assist tech. At around 129,900 yuan, it remains a staple for families seeking balance.

Hyundai Palisade Hybrid: Korea’s big bet in China

For Hyundai, Chengdu was the stage to kick off pre-orders for the Palisade in China. The SUV now comes with a hybrid 2.5 T-GDI powertrain, delivering up to 334 hp with HTRAC AWD and room for six or seven passengers. At 5,060 mm long with a 2,970 mm wheelbase, it has grown into something more than a family SUV — almost a mobile living room.

Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5: premium claws

BYD’s Fangchengbao brand brought the Leopard 5 in its smart PHEV form: 485 kW, 760 Nm, and a 0–100 km/h sprint of just 4.8 seconds. Beyond raw numbers, the integration of Huawei’s Qiankun ADAS makes it stand out — a ladder-frame SUV with advanced AI driver assistance is still rare, even in China. With prices starting at 239,800 yuan, it heats up competition at the top of the market.

Takeaway

These five SUVs show how fast China’s market is evolving. Off-roaders are embracing hybrids, large family haulers are shifting to new powertrains, and affordable crossovers continue to anchor demand. Chengdu 2025 might just be remembered as the moment when the “new normal” of China’s SUV boom came into focus.