Can the Wuling Hongguang be used for a self-driving tour to Tibet?
3 Answers
1. Product: The Wuling Hongguang is the first independently developed crossover product between commercial and passenger vehicles launched by SAIC-GM-Wuling. With its streamlined exterior design, versatile and practical spacious cabin, perfect balance of power and fuel efficiency, as well as strong performance in handling and safety, it has redefined the traditional impression of commercial vehicles. 2. Praise: The Wuling Hongguang has carved out a new niche in the commercial vehicle market dominated by larger models, thanks to its small displacement, clever design, refined interior, and powerful cross-segment performance. Compact, refined, and practical are the unanimous evaluations from industry professionals.
As a veteran driver who has driven a Wuling through the Sichuan-Tibet Highway, I think this car is fully capable of handling a self-drive trip to Tibet. The high ground clearance ensures good off-road performance, so you don't have to worry about scraping the bottom on bumpy dirt roads. Although the engine has a small displacement, it's highly reliable—I could still climb slopes at 5,000-meter-high mountain passes, though the power does weaken a bit. The space is incredibly practical; folding down the rear seats turns it into a bed, and there's plenty of room for luggage and tents. The key is to prepare thoroughly: swap to AT tires before departure for better traction, and carry snow chains for rainy or snowy conditions. Gas stations are far apart, so I recommend refueling whenever the tank is half empty. I've seen over a dozen Wuling Hongguang vans on the Qinghai-Tibet Highway—local Tibetans love using them for hauling goods and long-distance trips because they're incredibly durable. The real challenge is adapting to altitude sickness; the car itself holds up just fine.
Last time, I drove my family's Wuling Hongguang with a friend from Chengdu into Tibet via the 318 National Highway. Covering over 3,000 kilometers, I was genuinely surprised. The 1.5L engine provided adequate power, though it required downshifting on uphill sections in high altitudes. The suspension tuning is on the stiffer side, offering good stability around corners, but the ride gets noticeably bumpy on continuous rough roads—better not to drive too fast. The real surprise was the fuel consumption, averaging just over 7L/100km for the entire trip, much more economical than many SUVs. We saw several luxury cars broken down along the way, but our 80,000-yuan vehicle didn’t let us down once. Key tips: carry a spare tire and air pump, reduce tire pressure by 0.2 bar compared to usual, use 5W-30 full synthetic oil, and check the brake pads daily—long downhill stretches are particularly hard on them.