The Roewe RX5 is a compact crossover SUV that is manufactured by SAIC Motor under the Roewe brand. The RX5 is available as a petrol-powered RX5 variant, a plug-in hybrid eRX5 variant and a pure electric ERX5 variant. The facelift model is called the RX5 Plus, and a slightly larger second generation model called the RX5 Max is sold alongside the RX5 Plus. The RX5 Max is available as a petrol-powered RX5 Max variant and a plug-in hybrid RX5 eMax variant. The RX5 Max was facelifted for the 2021 model year.
On 9 June 2016, Alibaba officially unveiled the Roewe RX5, its first “Internet car” in collaboration with SAIC. Priced upwards of RMB 148,800 ($22,300) when deliveries started in August 2016.[3]
The RX5 came in three different powertrains, including the petrol engined RX5, the PHEV eRX5, and the fully electric ERX5. The capital "E" in Roewe's naming system indicates fully electric while the lower case "e" indicates hybrid.
Exterior styling differences are mainly on the front view, with the eRX5 and ERX5 having larger grilles and grille mounted front license plates. The only styling difference between the eRX5 and ERX5 are the different inner headlamp setup and graphics.
The RX5 is also sold under the MG marque, though only with petrol powertrains. It was launched in the Middle East and the Philippines in February 2018.[4][5] It is also sold in Cambodia, Iran and South America.
In April 2020, SAIC released the Roewe RX5 Plus. It is essentially the facelift version of the standard RX5. It featured a new front fascia, including a new headlights, a new grille shape which adds one diamond like woven shape with a new black background Roewe logo, and a refreshed rear fascia.
The Roewe RX5 Plus received another facelift in 2021 mainly updating the front grilles. The 2021 model was unveiled at 2021 Auto Shanghai.[6]
The Roewe RX5 Max was previewed during the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show, as the Roewe Max pre production concept.[7]
The model was later revealed as the Roewe RX5 Max. The model is designed to be a larger and more upmarket alternative to the RX5.[8]
The Roewe RX5 Max is powered by the same engine of the Roewe RX5, including the 1.5 litre turbo inline four engine, and the 2.0 litre turbo inline four engine. Transmission options include a six speed manual gearbox, a six speed automatic gearbox, a six speed dual clutch transmission.[9]
The RX5 eMax is the plug-in hybrid version of the RX5 Max crossover. It is powered by a 1.5 liter turbo engine and an electric motor. The transmission is a 10-speed transmission by SAIC. The pure electric range of the RX5 eMax is 70 kilometres (43 mi), and the fuel consumption is 1.4 L/100 km (200 mpg‑imp; 170 mpg‑US).[10]
The Roewe RX5 Max received a facelift for the 2021 model year and was launched during the 2020 Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2020. The facelift carries over the same powertrain while featuring a full-width headlamp across the front fascia and the updated Roewe logo.[11]
The Roewe RX5 Max received another facelift for the 2022 model year and was launched in December 2021. The update completely restyled the front end and slightly revised the rear end styling.[12]
Images of the third generation Roewe RX5 was released in March 2022. The third generation RX5 is powered by a 1.5 liter turbo engine codenamed 15FDE producing a maximum power output of 188 hp (140 kW; 191 PS) mated to a 7-speed wet dual clutch transmission. The engine is the updated version of the second generation Blue Core powertrain of SAIC.[13]
The third generation Roewe RX5 is also available as a plug-in hybrid variant called the Roewe eRX5. The PHEV variant is powered by SAIC's Blue Core GS61 1.5-litre turbo VTGI engine developing 138 kW (185 hp; 188 PS) and an electric motor with a maximum output of 180 kW (241 hp; 245 PS) and 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft; 58.1 kg⋅m). The transmission is a 10-speed automatic gearbox. Top speed of the eRX5 is 200 km/h (120 mph) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) takes 6.9 seconds, fuel consumption is 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres (30.3 km/L; 71.3 mpg‑US; 85.6 mpg‑imp).[14]
The Roewe D5X is the hybrid variant of the third generation Roewe RX5. The D5X is powered by the DMH system consisting of a 1.5-liter Turbo engine producing 110kW and an electric motor producing 153kW.[15]