2025 BAIC B30e Dune 4x4 HEV Review

The type of car a person drives can provide insight into their personality and priorities. MPV or seven-seater SUV drivers might be more on the responsible side of the spectrum, while sedan owners prioritize driving feel and fun over everything else. 

With that said, what does an outdoorsy person who likes the latest tech but would still like to save up at the pumps have as an option for their vehicle? The BAIC B30e Dune hybrid comes to mind, but though it has those qualities, is it a good car? We spent 1,000 km behind the wheel of one to give you the answer.

As always, we start with the looks, and we’re happy to report that the BAIC B30e Dune has a face card that won’t be declined anywhere. Its boxy silhouette and sharp character lines give it a commanding presence on the road. Up front, a wide grille bearing the BAIC badge is flanked by squared-off LED headlights with distinctive DRL signatures, lending a modern, almost futuristic vibe. A solid front bumper with integrated fog lights gives you an idea of what it’s capable of off the beaten track.

Contrasting black accents on the roof, mirrors, and wheel arches add to its adventurous, stylish look, while blacked-out alloy wheels add a sporty edge. Roof rails boost its practical, adventure-ready credentials, and the raised ground clearance reinforces its ability to handle rougher terrain. The rest of the car is subdued and sleek; it doesn’t shout about its capabilities, but it doesn’t hide them either, and we love that about it. 

Push a button at the rear door, and you’ll be greeted by a large cargo hold that can fit a single balikbayan box and some overnight luggage with the second row folded up. Fold it down and you can expand the B30e Dune’s carrying capacity to almost 1,500 liters. The only drawback is the seat-folding process. You first have to stow the seat bases before folding the seatbacks down, making it a two-step operation. While this could definitely be made easier, the result is a super-flat cargo floor, which is a big plus.

Moving inside, we start at the second row. Before getting in, however, we noticed that ingress and egress are not a strong point for the B30e Dune. Though the doors swing wide, the thick door panels offset any benefit from it. The stepboards could also prove to be challenging for people with shorter stature, as their legs can hit them on the way up. 

Once you make your way in, though, the pros start coming. Space in the second row is plentiful, providing lots of legroom and headroom even with the front seats adjusted all the way back. Meanwhile, the seats are very comfortable and plush while also providing adequate support for your thighs and back. The second row also has a flat floor, thanks to the lack of a center tunnel, meaning you won’t have to worry about sitting awkwardly when it’s packed. 

As for toys, passengers get a panoramic sunroof, aircon vents, USB charging points, bottle holders at the door panels,  and cupholders at the center armrest. 

Moving up front, the B30e Dune continues to impress. First thing anyone will notice is the massive 14.6-inch infotainment screen complemented by a 10.25-inch instrument cluster. We’ll talk more about those in a moment. The front row is quite nice to be in, incorporating the retro-futuristic look of the exterior quite well. 

The controls and surfaces you interact with most, such as the steering wheel, stalks, and dashboard, feel solid and well-built, sturdy even. Cubbyholes are thoughtfully placed throughout the cabin, providing space for any trinkets, maps, or small items you might bring along. One quirk we found is the addition of parcel hooks behind the sun visors in front of the driver and front passenger. What object a person may put there while driving eludes us. 

Overall, we’re impressed with the B30e Dune’s interior. It’s not just comfortable and enjoyable to be in, it also exudes a genuine sense of quality.

As we mentioned earlier, the B30e Dune’s tech package starts with a large 14.6-inch infotainment display paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster. We have to note, however, that at the time of the review, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were not equipped with the model we tested. BAIC does say that they will fit the two apps later on.

Convenience features include a smart power tailgate, power-adjustable front seats, rain-sensing wipers, a 360-degree camera system, and parking sensors. Most cabin controls are handled through the infotainment system, which explains the minimal physical buttons on the center stack. We don’t think it’s a deal-breaker, just something drivers will need to get used to when living with the B30e Dune.

As for safety and driver aids, the B30e comes equipped with Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These include intelligent cruise control, automatic high beam assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping and lane-change assist, emergency lane-keep assist, forward and rear collision warnings, autonomous emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert.

The first thing we need to mention about the BAIC B30e Dune HEV is not what we would normally expect to bring up about a 4x4 crossover, it’s the way it propels itself. The variant we’re driving is equipped with dual electric motors with a turbocharged 1.5-liter gasoline engine serving as an onboard generator. The total system output of this crossover is 403 hp and a mind-boggling 685 Nm of torque. 

With those numbers, you’d expect the B30e Dune to be quick on the road, and it is. Step on the accelerator, and this hybrid crossover delivers swift, smooth performance, easily overtaking on flat terrain. The acceleration feels nearly instantaneous, much like a fully electric vehicle, building speed continuously with no noticeable gear shifts. There’s no surge, just a steady gain in momentum. Despite the B30e Dune’s impressive power, it still delivers respectable fuel efficiency. In city driving, we recorded 10 km/l, while highway runs pushed that up to 16 km/l. Most impressive, though, was the 15 km/l average we achieved even while tackling mountain roads and driving the car hard.

In terms of comfort, the ride is soft and pliant, ideal for most roads in Metro Manila and the provinces. However, on rougher terrain, it tends to get a bit shaky and jiggly. There’s also noticeable body roll when cornering at speed. While it’s not alarming, it is still worth noting. Despite this, though, the B30e Dune still manages to be a fun crossover to toss around.

Our main complaint during the drive, aside from the soft suspension, is the steering feel. It’s dull and lacks engagement. We believe that with slightly stiffer suspension and a more responsive steering feel, the B30e Dune could complement its impressive power and transform the driving experience from simply great to exceptional.

So, where do we stand at the end of this review? From our perspective, the BAIC B30e Dune is very much a lifestyle vehicle. It checks a specific set of boxes for a specific kind of buyer. And while it may seem like it caters to a niche market, the B30e Dune has the potential to appeal to a broader audience.

Priced at P1,888,000, it undercuts many all-wheel-drive crossovers on the market. From a value standpoint, it offers a compelling package. In our experience, the B30e Dune feels like it’s just one update away from going from great to even better, mainly due to the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as some needed improvements in steering feel and suspension tuning. That said, even in its current form, the B30e Dune is a genuinely impressive vehicle.

If you're considering buying the B30e Dune, check out its specs, explore the variants, and start your car buying journey using the Car Guide on AutoDeal.com.ph!