Introduction: Why does the BAIC U5 Plus Honor interior attract such interest?

Chinese crossover BAIC U5 Plus Honor over the past two years it has become one of the most discussed budget cars on the Russian market. With prices from 1.8 million rubles (2026) it offers space close to Toyota RAV4, but with much richer equipment in the top versions. However, it is the interior that raises the main questions among buyers: how high-quality are the materials, are the seats comfortable, and will everything fall apart in a year?

We tested three configurations — Comfort, Luxury and Honor - to figure out where they saved money and where the manufacturer really tried. In this review you will find unique photos of the real salon (not retouched dealer photos), comparison with competitors like Changan CS55 Plus and Haval Jolion, as well as honest reviews from owners after 20,000+ km.

Finishing materials: where is plastic and where is real leather?

The first thing that catches your eye when landing in BAIC U5 Plus Honor - this is combination of soft and hard plastics. The upper part of the dashboard, including the air duct deflectors, is made of a soft, pleasant-to-touch material with a leather-like texture. However, already at the level of the knees, hard plastic begins, which can creak in severe frosts.

Regarding the seats:

  • 🪑 In basic Comfort - fabric upholstery with a simple pattern that quickly gets dirty and absorbs odors.
  • 🛋️ B Luxury and Honor — faux leather with perforation (ventilation works only in the top version).
  • 🧴 Used on the side surfaces of chairs genuine leather (according to the dealer), but in terms of tactile sensations it is more of a high-quality substitute.

For clarity, let’s compare the materials with their main competitors:

Model Torpedo (top) Torpedo (bottom) Seats (base) Seats (top)
BAIC U5 Plus Honor Soft plastic Hard plastic Fabric Artificial leather + natural (partial)
Changan CS55 Plus Soft plastic + aluminum-look inserts Hard plastic Premium fabric Genuine leather
Haval Jolion Soft plastic + seams Soft plastic Fabric Faux leather
⚠️ Attention: Owners BAIC U5 Plus complain about plastic squeaks at temperatures below -15°C. The problem can be solved by treating it with silicone grease, but requires disassembling the panel.
📊 Which interior material is more important to you?
Plastic quality
Genuine leather
Design and ergonomics
Noise insulation
Price/quality

Ergonomics and seating position: is it comfortable behind the wheel and in the back seat?

Driver's seat in BAIC U5 Plus Honor has 8 electrical adjustments (in the top version), including lumbar support. However, even in the maximum lowered position tall drivers (from 185 cm) there may not be enough space above your head - the ceiling here is lower than in Kia Sportage.

Rear seats:

  • 👶 Legroom - 92 cm (versus 88 cm for Haval Jolion).
  • 🧳Trunk capacity 510 liters (expands to 1480 liters with seats folded).
  • 🪟 Armrest with cup holders available only in Honor.
  • 🚗 The back of the rear sofa is adjustable according to the angle of inclination (2 positions).

The main disadvantage is no heated rear seats even in the top configuration. For comparison, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro This option is already available in the middle version.

Progress of chair adjustments (is there any play)

Seat heating/ventilation operation

Plastic creaks when you press the panel

Build quality of sheathing joints-->

Multimedia system: Android Auto, CarPlay and hidden features

Diagonal central screen 12.3 inches (in Honor) works on the basis Android 11 with branded shell BAIC Smart. Supported out of the box:

  • 📱 Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wired).
  • 🎵 Built-in DTS sound with 8 speakers (in Honor).
  • 📡 Online services (Yandex.Navigator, weather, radio).

However, there are also pitfalls:

  • 🐢 System sometimes "freezes" while using the navigator and music at the same time.
  • 🔌 To wirelessly charge your smartphone, you need to purchase an option (12 000 ₽).
  • 🎤 The voice assistant only understands Chinese and English (Russian in development).

Hidden trick: if you click Settings → System → Developer Mode, you can activate the display speed in HUD (windshield projection) even without optional equipment.

How to update media firmware

1. Download the file from the official BAIC website (section "Support").

2. Copy it to a flash drive (FAT32, no more than 32 GB).

3. Insert the flash drive into the USB port (front only!) and reboot the system via Settings → Software Update.

⚠️ Do not remove the flash drive until the process is completed (about 10 minutes).

Noise insulation: truth or myth about “silence in the cabin”?

The manufacturer claims "premium sound insulation" in version Honor, but real tests show otherwise. At speed 100 km/h The noise level in the cabin is 68 dB (vs. 64 dB Volkswagen Tiguan). Main sources of noise:

  • 🚗 Wheel arches — you can hear the sound of pebbles even on the asphalt.
  • 💨 Windshield — whistling in crosswinds (solved by applying additional tape).
  • 🔊 Engine — at rpm above 3000 a hum is heard (especially on the 1.5T engine).

The owners recommend doing this immediately after purchase. additional sound insulation:

  • 🔧 Paste over the arches SPLEN (3-5 thousand ₽).
  • 🔧 Install the noise on the hood (Vibroplast Gold).
  • 🔧 Replace door seals (the original ones quickly become dull).
⚠️ Attention: After additional sound insulation the weight of the car will increase by 15-20 kg, which can affect dynamics and fuel consumption (up to +0.3 l/100 km).
💡

Before purchasing, check the sound insulation with a simple test: close all doors and windows, then slam your palm on the hood. If the sound in the cabin is clearly audible, the insulation is weak.

Comparison with competitors: who offers the best salon on a budget?

Main rivals BAIC U5 Plus Honor on the Russian market - this is Changan CS55 Plus, Haval Jolion and Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. Let's compare them based on key interior parameters:

Parameter BAIC U5 Plus Honor Changan CS55 Plus Haval Jolion Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
Price (top version) 2.1 million ₽ 2.3 million ₽ 2.0 million ₽ 2.2 million ₽
Seat material (top) Artificial + genuine leather Genuine leather Faux leather Genuine leather + Alcantara
Screen diagonal 12,3" 10,25" 12,3" 12,3"
Wireless charging Option (+12 thousand ₽) Included No Included
Heated rear seats No Yes No Yes

In terms of price/quality ratio BAIC U5 Plus Honor looks attractive but loses Chery Tiggo 7 Pro in equipment and Changan CS55 Plus - as materials. If it is critical for you electronics reliability, better take a closer look Haval Jolion — he has fewer complaints about multimedia glitches.

💡

BAIC U5 Plus Honor wins in space and price, but loses in noise insulation and quality of finishing materials. Optimal for those who are looking for a large car for a reasonable price and are willing to put up with minor shortcomings.

Owner reviews: what to expect after 20,000 km?

We have analyzed 150+ reviews from forums Drive2, Drom.ru and groups on Telegram. Here are the most common complaints and praise:

Pros (according to owners):

  • 👍 Spacious interior - “3 child seats + luggage fit.”
  • 👍 Good visibility (large windows, thin pillars).
  • 👍 Quickly warms up the interior in winter (the stove already warms up at idle).
  • 👍 Low cost of maintenance (first - 8 000 ₽).

Cons (according to owners):

  • 👎 Plastic squeaks after 10,000 km (solved by silicone treatment).
  • 👎 Weak noise insulation of wheel arches.
  • 👎 Multimedia glitches (regular firmware updates help).
  • 👎 The light-colored seat fabric in the basic version gets dirty quickly.

Interesting fact: 6 out of 10 owners it is recommended to take the version Honor only with black interior — scuffs and dust are less noticeable on it. The beige interior looks luxurious, but requires weekly cleaning.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about the BAIC U5 Plus Honor interior

Is it possible to install a 360° camera in the basic package?

Yes, but it will cost 45 000–55 000 ₽ (spare parts + labor). Official dealers refuse to install non-standard equipment, so you will have to turn to third-party services. Important: for the camera to work correctly, you will need to update the multimedia system firmware (there is a risk of losing the warranty).

What is the real fuel consumption on the highway and in the city?

According to the owners:

  • 🏙️ City (Moscow, traffic jams): 10.5–12 l/100 km (1.5T).
  • 🛣️ Route (90–110 km/h): 6.8–7.5 l/100 km.
  • ❄️ Winter (warm up + short trips): up to 14 l/100 km.

Saving Secret: Unplug Sport mode and use Eco — the difference in consumption reaches 1.5 l/100 km.

What breaks most often in the cabin?

Top 3 typical breakdowns:

  1. 🔊 Speakers - wheezing at high frequencies (solved by replacing membranes).
  2. 🪟 Electric window drives — jams after moisture gets in (the guides need to be lubricated).
  3. 💺 Heated seats — heating elements burn out (warranty case).

Average repair cost: 5 000–15 000 ₽ depending on the problem.

Is it worth taking BAIC U5 Plus Honor in 2026?

✅ Yes, if:

  • Do you need spacious crossover for reasonable money.
  • Are you ready to put up with petty flaws (creaks, noise).
  • Do you plan to use the car no longer? 5 years.

❌ No if:

  • Critical for you premium build (look to the side Volkswagen or Skoda).
  • Do you often travel bad roads (noise insulation and suspension are not designed for off-road use).
  • Are you planning resale — BAIC Loses in price faster than Japanese brands.