A frame diesel SUV from China has unexpectedly become the main character of a fresh review: the car came for testing as the antithesis of electric vehicles and hybrids, which have recently dominated the news and blogs. The BAIC BJ40 model is one of the few diesel options available through the "parallel" market, and it is built according to the canons of classic SUVs. This is a rare case when the Chinese auto industry violated its own tradition of avoiding diesels and created a full-fledged heavy car with a frame, removable roof, and Part-Time transmission.
The BJ40 costs relatively modestly: about 2.25 million rubles, including customs clearance. With an appearance reminiscent of the Jeep Wrangler, the SUV attracts with removable doors, a folding windshield, an expeditionary trunk, and steel bumpers. The history of the model goes back to the 80s, when the Chinese car factory cooperated with Jeep, so the proportions and architecture here are legal, not an "association." However, the technology is original: its own frame, a modern diesel engine, a ZF automatic transmission, and a lot of off-road elements, which have long become the norm in China for this line.
The interior is a mixture of "Jeep" rigidity and good old ergonomics inspired by early Mercedes-Benz models. The roof is removed in parts, the doors are quickly dismantled, the power frame is hidden under soft elements, the instruments are simple and honest, without cartoonish design. The door hinges open at a wide angle, the fit is high, and the trunk, although limited by large arches, opens in parts: separately the glass or the entire door. There is a minimum of electronic assistants - this is an old-school SUV.
The behavior on the road is predictable: the frame construction, rear axle, and diesel engine create the typical character of cars of this class. It shakes on bad roads, but the level of comfort is sufficient for the format. Unlike the co-platform Chinese gasoline versions, there are no inter-wheel locks here, but the transmission modes allow you to confidently pass difficult sections. At the same time, economy has become one of the main surprises: urban consumption stays within 8–9 liters, and with calm driving, it is possible to drive up to 800 kilometers on a 60-liter tank. Against the background of gasoline turbo-frame vehicles, which easily consume 15–16 liters, this is a serious advantage.
The BJ40 also has enough weaknesses. The lack of a standard all-round view is an unexpected and unpleasant feature. There is preparation for cameras, but the system is not installed in any configuration, and owners install it themselves. Compared to the more "urban" Tank 300, the BJ40 feels rougher, noisier, and less friendly to everyday use. The suspension works rigidly, the sound insulation is minimal - structurally, this is not surprising, because the rigid roof is disassembled literally on bolts. Therefore, comfort is sacrificed here to off-road features.
Due to the new rates of the recycling fee, the price of such cars will soon increase significantly. Now the model can be brought for 2.5–2.8 million rubles, but in the near future a similar car may cross the mark of three million. This makes the BJ40 a unique option for the market: diesel, frame, Part-Time transmission, removable roof, simple mechanics, and the absence of frankly "toy" solutions that are often found in modern crossovers.
The BJ40 is a car with its own character. Harsh, noisy, rough, but at the same time honest, economical, and off-road correct. In a situation of shortage of fresh full-fledged frame vehicles, the model may become a real alternative to heavily worn-out Prado and numerous gasoline Chinese analogues. And for those who are looking for authentic frame technology with a diesel engine, the BJ40 becomes one of the most interesting offers on the parallel market.
