Chinese Roewe RX5 SUV gets souped-up ‘Max’ version

The Roewe RX5 crossover SUV debuted in China three years ago and instantly won domestic market popularity. Now, the company felt like livening the sales up a bit by releasing the new ‘Max’ variant of the car.

In fact, the Roewe RX5 Max is not just a larger version of the original RX5, but a whole standalone model based on the same architecture. For one, the Max sports a new body, complete with the outer panels and doorframes. The wheelbase has gained another 60 millimeters (2.4 inches), the length 102 mm (4”) and the width 36 mm (1.4”). As a result, the new SUV is 4,647 mm (15.25 ft.) long and 1,891 mm (6.2 ft.) wide with 2,760 mm (9 ft.) separating the axles.

The cabin is also new, except for the digital dashboard and the large touchscreen display. There is a single continuous air deflector spanning the entire width of the torpedo, Mercedes-style door controls, and a fixed-position gear joystick. Available extras include a Bose audio system, power-assisted front seats, a panoramic glass roof, adaptive cruise control, and LED headlights.

The Max ships with the same assortment of engines as the standard Roewe RX5, specifically a 1.5-liter gas turbo with 169 hp (126 kW) and its 2.0-liter counterpart boosted to deliver 231 hp (132 kW) to the wheels. Transmission choices include 6-speed manual, 7-speed dry-clutch TST, and its 6-speed wet-clutch counterpart. All-wheel drive is available in the top trim version only.

The new Roewe RX5 Max will soon arrive in showrooms throughout China, with prices starting from U.S. $16,000.