The compact seven-seater crossover segment comprised of the Honda BR-V, Toyota Rush, and Mitsubishi Xpander is a rather small niche, which is why we consider the genre-defying BAIC M60 to be an interesting entry into the category.
With a length of 4800-mm, width of 1824-mm, and a height of 1725-mm, it’s much bigger than its competitors, and yet, it’s more compact than larger people carriers like the Toyota Innova. Despite its larger dimensions (which would normally indicate a higher price), the top-of-the-line M60 variant, Luxury, manages to stay at a more affordable price range than all of the above, while coming equipped with premium equipment you’d only find on high-end compact SUVs. The result is more interior room than the competition while retaining its agile and easy-to-drive characteristics, while offering more tech and kit, all at a lower price than the competition. That certainly sounds enticing on paper, but what’s it really like to drive?
First off, BAIC has done a great job with the M60’s styling. Its well-proportioned silhouette contributes a lot to a stance that evokes anything but “boring MPV”. The two-tone body cladding gifts the M60 with a more rugged demeanor, and low profile 205/55 R17 tires on split 5-spoke wheels give it a sportier presence. The front grille, while seemingly Lexus-inspired, gives the front end some good presence on the road, with the front lamps and fog lights tying the whole thing together nicely.
Inside, however, is where the BAIC M60 truly gets to strut its stuff. High-premium materials can be found throughout the cabin, from the black and white leather seats and leather material on the door panels, to the brushed aluminum accents on the dash. Customers have an option to choose between a standard analogue instrument cluster or a fully digital display, while a large, responsive nine-inch screen handles communication and audio, routed to its six-speaker set-up.
The driver’s seat gets six-way power adjustments and the second row features two captain’s chairs with armrests that slide and recline, while the 3rd row features a 60:40 split that folds and tumbles. It’s interesting to note that this particular configuration isn’t the same as what’s shown on the BAIC Philippines website, as the photos there show a bench configuration for three people on the second row, and a 50:50 split for two people on the third row. The 2-3-2 configuration is more common in the segment, but the 2-2-3 configuration shown here isn’t a bad thing at all, as the captain’s chairs prove to be ultimately more comfortable for the second row passengers, though three passengers at the third row are in for a pretty tight squeeze. Two medium-sized passengers sitting at the third row won’t have it too hard though, as the leg room available is slightly better than average.
Powering the BAIC M60 is a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 147 bhp and 155 lb- ft of torque, mated to a CVT transmission. While the figures are great on paper, the powertrain did sometimes show hints of reluctance at low rpms, where slight turbo lag is present. There’s a bit of delay before the power kicks in during uphill situations, and I’ve been forced to use the handbrake while stopped on an ascent, just like I would on a manual car, to keep the car from moving backwards. Once the M60 gets going, however, there’s plenty of power available for overtaking on the highway, and the steering feel, while light, still makes the car feel nimbler than its larger dimensions depict. Stopping power is fantastic and brake feel is responsive, as the BAIC M60 comes with disc brakes at the front and rear – something the competition needs to catch up to.
The BAIC M60 Luxury also features an impressive list of convenience and safety features for its P1,068,000 price tag. Cruise control is available, together with ABS, EBD, and four airbags, with Electronic Stability Control as an option. There’s no question that the BAIC M60 Luxury offers a lot for the price. If you’re in the market for a compact seven-seater on a tight budget, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to check the BAIC M60 Luxury out. The risk might just pay off.
Text and photos by Chris Van Hoven