Electric cars have overwhelmingly replaced traditional fuel vehicles, becoming the preferred choice for the majority of users. Among these, the BYD Dolphin has emerged as a benchmark model, consistently maintaining impressive monthly sales figures. The Dolphin's appeal lies in its compact dimensions coupled with ample space, mature electric powertrain technology, and a solid chassis, although it does have limitations in terms of cargo space and moderate levels of intelligence in its vehicular systems and driving assistance features. Entering this competitive arena is the Baojun Cloud, a newcomer designed with a targeted approach to rival the Dolphin. We recently took the 2023 Baojun Cloud 460 Max Lingxi Edition for a test drive to explore how it stacks up against the Dolphin in terms of design, features, and performance.
Exterior
The Baojun Cloud boasts a distinctive appearance with its unique dual-nose front design. The upper engine cover is relatively small, enhancing the front profile. The through-type daytime running lights, located in the recessed area below the upper nose, add a contemporary touch. The lower nose is smoothly contoured, flanked by adorable main lights with integrated high and low beams, featuring standard LED sources and automatic lighting. Higher-end models include auxiliary turning lights, and the lower half of the light chamber is adorned with a silver mirror decoration.
From the side, the Baojun Cloud exhibits a fluid one-box body structure. The steeply inclined front windshield and the front engine compartment share the same curved surface, presenting an MPV-style with five pillars. The black paintwork creates a floating roof effect. The fixed windows, located beyond the front and rear doors, allow for large opening areas. The wheelbase is ample, with a shorter front overhang and a slightly longer rear overhang compared to the BYD Dolphin, intended to expand the trunk space. A horizontal chrome trim line along the window sill complements the side skirt trim, and the hidden pop-out door handles maintain the car's sleek profile.
The vehicle's dimensions (length, width, height) are 4295/1850/1652mm with a 2700mm wheelbase. It's larger in size than the Dolphin, particularly in width and height, providing more cabin space.
Interior
The interior of the Baojun Cloud adopts a minimalist layout typical of new energy vehicles. The high-positioned dashboard extends far forward, flanked by large cupholders on either side. The surface is adorned with dark green and faux wood materials, mainly soft to the touch, although the top of the door panels are hard plastic. The central 15.6-inch screen is imposing, well-placed in terms of height and distance. The low-positioned armrest is separate from the dashboard, creating a spacious area between the driver and passenger, allowing easy movement.
The high-end model features a 256-color ambient lighting system, although the 6-speaker audio system is average. The steering wheel, covered in faux leather, is ergonomically designed with well-placed controls. The high-end Lynx version comes with a high-speed navigation-assisted system, offering more comprehensive functionalities.
The 8.8-inch fully digital instrument display uses a tri-zone layout, with a central auxiliary information display and slightly small characters on the left side. The 15.6-inch central control screen boasts a high pixel density and slim bezels. The latest Ling OS infotainment system offers high hardware integration, with most functions accessible through the screen without physical buttons. The system supports dual-zone voice recognition and continuous dialogue, and the 360-degree panoramic image is clear.
The armrest doubles as a storage space, with adjustable cupholders and dual phone slots, one with wireless charging. The storage space inside the armrest is practical and square, with a large space under the sliding cover for bigger items.
The seats are made of faux leather with basic 6-way electric adjustment. The "cotton candy" padding provides elasticity and comfort. The rear seats offer ample legroom and adjustable back support.
Performance
The Baojun Cloud is equipped with a 100kW permanent magnet synchronous motor, offering a moderate 200Nm of torque, positioned between the BYD Dolphin's 70kW and the higher 130kW motors. Located in the front engine compartment, it uses front-wheel drive.
In terms of battery, the Cloud offers two lithium iron phosphate battery options: 37.9kWh and 50.6kWh, providing a CLTC range of 360km and 460km, respectively. All models support both fast and slow charging, with mid-range models offering external discharge capabilities.
Driving the Baojun Cloud reveals a smooth initial power output from the throttle. Around 1/4 of throttle depth, the torque releases significantly, making acceleration sprightly, then it gradually becomes more linear, lacking strong bursts at higher speeds. The car feels comfortable from a standstill to 100km/h but struggles with faster acceleration, indicating a focus on urban driving rather than high-speed performance.
Handling-wise, the Baojun Cloud leans towards comfort. The steering is light, even in sport mode, and lacks precision. The throttle and brake pedals are also soft, well-suited for gentle driving styles.
The suspension system combines a front McPherson independent setup with a rear torsion beam non-independent arrangement, offering a long travel. This setup transmits minor vibrations on smooth roads, reducing rear passenger comfort. Over higher speed bumps, the suspension absorbs impacts effectively, but is softer compared to the firmer setup of the Dolphin. In terms of NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), the electric motor is quiet, but there is noticeable chassis noise and wind noise at higher speeds.
The Lynx version of the Cloud features advanced driver assistance systems, including high-speed navigation assistance, automatic lane changing, and ramp joining and leaving. The feedback on the instrument screen is comprehensive, showing vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles on the road, with accurate AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) decisions. It also supports remote parking, memory parking, and track-back reversing, making it very beginner-friendly, an area where it surpasses the Dolphin.
Conclusion
The Baojun Cloud, when compared to the BYD Dolphin, shows significant advantages in cabin space, infotainment, and driving assistance. It matches the Dolphin in terms of range and power. However, it falls short in chassis refinement, lacks a sense of driving engagement, and some details are less polished, such as the hard plastic on the door tops, the tinny sound when closing doors, and average NVH performance. Prospective buyers should weigh these factors based on their personal needs and preferences when choosing between these vehicles.