BAIC Philippines, under the United Asia Automotive Group Inc. (UAAGI) umbrella, has just launched the B30e Dune in a segment that many foresee will soon heat up.

Promising a 1,000km range from its hybrid electric setup that also acts like a more advanced EREV (extended range EV), the B30e’s 1.5-liter turbocharged internal-combustion engine can function purely as a generator for the battery to send charge to the electric motor.

It can also run in parallel with the electric motors to provide maximum thrust: a combined system output of 329hp and 550Nm of torque for the 2WD single-motor front-wheel variant, and 403hp and 685Nm of torque from the dual-electric 4WD variant (good for a 6.9-second sprint to 100km/h from rest).

Initially, it seems like a compact crossover until you’re right beside it. The 2,820mm wheelbase grants it excellent legroom, besting diesel PPV-based SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner and the Mitsubishi Montero Sport.

Yet the overall length of 4,730mm is shorter than those two, while the width of 1,910mm is comparable to the Japanese pair. Lastly, the B30e Dune has a decent 215mm ground clearance making light trails and basic farm-to-market off-road paths a breeze.

The unibody crossover also promises even greater off-road ability, thanks to its real-time intelligent four-wheel drive system with seven driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Economy, Snow, Sand, Muddy Road, and Wading. We never got to try any off-road modes, but normal and eco modes were very adequate.

It didn’t feel fast and powerful, but neither did it feel slow. It was just right. Even going up very steep streets saw the B30e nonchalantly shrug the task off. Selecting Sport saw a significant rise in responsiveness—almost to the point where it was too much, but probably perfect if you’re running fast on the plains or on a twisty road with four passengers.

The B30e Dune also has a decent 24.5° approach angle, a 30° departure angle, and a surprisingly good (for a crossover) 450mm wading depth. Typical flash floods should not be an issue. Perhaps the biggest limiting factor off the road is the B30e’s modest 30° break-over angle. Still, it’s not meant to be a hardcore off-roader.

Both variants run on 19-inch alloy wheels with highway-terrain 235/60 tires. A swap to more aggressive all-terrains should improve off-road performance even more.

You can tell the difference between the two variants primarily by the foglights underneath the massive front LED DRL that spans the length of the fascia, the fender lights, and the faint “AWD” badging on the C-pillar.

Inside, the B30e is simple yet classy. A clean dashboard with a large 14.6-inch floating central display greets you with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The driver gets a 10.25-inch display for his instrument cluster with a three-spoke steering wheel replete with auxiliary buttons for the cruise control and the infotainment system.

The center console features an aviation-inspired gear lever and a jewel-like rotary dial for the in-car systems, the drive modes, and the infotainment.

A wireless charging pad and a single USB-A outlet are available up front, and multiple USB-C outlets are for the back seat. There’s even a 220V AC outlet in the trunk to power larger devices.

Ventilated and heated seats covered in leather round out the interior accoutrements. You also get as much as 1,496L of cargo space, and a sizable picnic table for your overlanding/camping expeditions.

The roof rail can support a dynamic 80kg of weight and a static 136kg from items like a roof-mounted tent and a single occupant. Of course, a panoramic glass roof is also fitted.

Lastly, the B30e has an extensive safety spec. ABS-EBD brakes with emergency brake assist, traction/stability control, rollover mitigation, hill-start assist, hill-descent control, and a variety of parking sensors improve passive safety.

It also comes with BAIC’s Level 2 advanced driver-assistance systems that include intelligent cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping and lane-change assist, front- and rear-collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, rear-cross traffic alert, and many more.

Truly, BAIC threw in as much as it could to pack the B30e to the very brim with advanced features. Stylish, roomy, efficient (an easily achievable 15.1km/L is claimed), and surprisingly very good to drive, the B30e Dune is a solid, value-packed alternative to the usual diesel PPVs.

Prices start at P1,488,000 for the 2WD variant. The top-spec 4WD variant’s price is P1,788,000.