Beijing X35 1.5-litre Turbo

The automotive landscape in Jamaica has undergone a noticeable change in recent years, with Chinese manufacturers making significant inroads into the market. This trend is further cemented by Jamaican company Jetcon Limited taking a bold step to become the official local dealer for BAIC’s premium passenger vehicle brand, Beijing. BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co, Ltd.) is one of China’s largest state-owned automotive manufacturers, founded in 1958. The company has built a substantial reputation in China and globally, with strategic joint ventures that include partnerships with Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) and Hyundai. The Beijing X35, a subcompact crossover, arrives as a key volume model, promising an affordable yet feature-rich package to local consumers.

Exterior Design and Dimensions

The X35 adopts a contemporary design language that is assertive for a vehicle in this category. The front fascia is dominated by a large, rectangular grille finished in black, flanked bymulti-element headlights and distinct vertical daytime running lights (DRLs) set lower into the bumper. The combination creates a distinct, modern look. Along the side, the body panel features a strong, continuous character line that runs from the front fender to the rear lights, providing a sense of length and movement. At the rear, the taillights are horizontally oriented and connected by a prominent black trim piece that spans the full width of the tailgate, clearly bearing the “BEIJING” script. The lower section features a rugged, unpainted plastic cladding that circles the entire vehicle, typical of a crossover.

As a subcompact crossover, the X35 has a ‘small footprint’, ideal for urban driving. Its dimensions are manageable, with a length of around 4,325 mm, a width of 1,830 mm, and a height of 1,640 mm. This body type positions it differently from its larger sibling, the X55. Having previously driven the X55, I can attest that the X35 is clearly the more conventional subcompact crossover, offering a familiar, upright SUV silhouette. The X55, on the other hand, is a larger vehicle with more pronounced ‘coupe-SUV’ styling.

Interior, Infotainment and Cargo Space

The interior architecture is clean and contemporary, with an emphasis on making the most of the available space.

The Digital Cockpit

The driver-focused dash is anchored by the 8-inch display screen, a floating-style unit positioned prominently for excellent visibility. This central hub is the command centre for the multimedia system and notably includes mobile phone connection functionality. The steering wheel, often wrapped in leather on higher trims, reinforces the modern feel with metallic accents and convenient controls for audio and cruise functions.

A significant nod to practicality is the audio system, which delivers sound through a setup that includes 4 speakers as standard on this trim.

Comfort and Practicality

The seats are designed for comfort on longer drives, frequently upholstered in a durable fabric or a stylish leather-fabric combination, depending on the trim level. The use of varied textures across the dashboard and door panels — often incorporating piano black accents.

Crucially for a family SUV, the X35 excels in utility. The rear bench offers a practical 4/6 split-fold, allowing owners to easily prioritise between passenger space and cargo capacity. When it comes to hauling luggage or groceries, the X35 delivers a respectable Trunk Capacity of 390 Litres (L). This figure translates to a generous, usable space that is easily accessible via the wide rear hatch.

Driving Experience

The X35 is powered by a 1.5 L Turbo engine, delivering a respectable 134 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels (FWD) via an automatic transmission.

The suspension setup proved itself to be highly capable in real-world conditions. Going over potholes was remarkably comfortable, with the suspension handling the surface imperfections effectively without excessive passenger movement or jarring. I was particularly impressed with the vehicle’s composure while cornering. There was little to no body roll and the 16-inch tyres remained firmly planted without any audible protests.

However, the turbo engine does exhibit some degree of turbo lag, which affects the immediate responsiveness of the vehicle, particularly when accelerating from a standstill or at low speeds. With a substantial ground clearance of 180mm, I was able to navigate through a section of standing water on the road with confidence, without having to worry about damaging the undercarriage.

While the starting price is attractively affordable at a base model cost of 3.9 million JMD, the true long-term assessment of this vehicle will rest on the durability and parts availability in the Jamaican market.

Cost: Base Model, 3.9m

Engine: 1.5 L Turbo

Horsepower: 134

Torque (lb-ft): 154

Transmission: FWD

Fuel tank: 46L

Gas consumption: 5.236 km/L (city)

Body Type: subcompact crossover

Competition: Mitsubishi ASX, Honda HRV, Suzuki Vitara

Vehicle provided by Jetcon Corporation Ltd. (876) 920-2277, sales@jetconcars.com.