What is the reason for the discontinuation of the Baojun RS5?
4 Answers
The reason for the discontinuation of the Baojun RS5 is due to its low sales volume, which failed to generate considerable economic benefits, and its relatively lower prospects compared to other models. Below are detailed introductions about the Baojun RS5: 1. Overview: The new Baojun RS-5 is the first compact SUV under the new Baojun brand. On June 9, 2020, the new Baojun RS-5 300T version was officially released, offering two configurations: the Smart Premium and Smart Flagship models. 2. Powertrain: The new Baojun RS-5 is equipped with a newly developed N15T turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum net power of 111kW and a maximum net torque of 250Nm, meeting the China VI B emission standard.
The discontinuation of the Baojun RS5 is pretty obvious—it just didn’t sell well. When I worked at a 4S store last year, this car sat in the showroom for three or four months with hardly any interest. Priced between 90,000 to 140,000 yuan, it was completely overshadowed by popular models like the Haval H6. For the same money, people preferred established brands. The biggest issue was that within just two years of its launch, the complaint rate for core components like the engine and transmission was 20% higher than its peers. Owner groups were full of complaints about inflated fuel efficiency claims. On top of that, Baojun later aggressively pushed the newer RS-3, diverting all sales resources there, so the RS-5 was naturally abandoned as a strategic move. For those considering a used one, I’d suggest skipping it altogether—even repair shops are reluctant to take orders for it now.
As an actual owner of this car, I have the most say. I took delivery of the first batch in 2018 and have been driving it till now. The biggest flaw is the power tuning. The 1.5T+CVT combo screams at 4000 RPM during sudden acceleration but barely delivers, making highway overtaking nerve-wracking. The infotainment system is even more frustrating—touch controls often lag, and there have only been two OTA updates pushed in total. When I went for maintenance late last year, even the 4S technician said the manufacturer had discontinued production and was clearing out inventory parts. At the end of the day, the product just couldn’t justify its price. In my batch’s owner group of 500 people, many lost 40,000–50,000 RMB when reselling. Now Baojun is focusing on its Silver Label series, so it’s no surprise early models like the RS-5 got axed.
From a product lifecycle perspective, the discontinuation of the RS-5 is quite reasonable. When the 2019 model was launched, it heavily marketed L2 autonomous driving as a gimmick, but the actual lane keeping assist function was erratic and drew numerous complaints. Later, the model even downgraded by removing the millimeter-wave radar. The welding spot sealant process on the body was also sloppy—our auto repair shop has handled multiple cases of sunroof leaks. The most critical issue was its outdated electrical architecture. Once New Baojun switched to the Bosch system, the old platform was immediately discontinued. Currently, in the dismantled parts market, the RS-5's wiring harness assembly sells for even less than that of the Wuling Hongguang. The manufacturer's discontinuation notice cited 'production line upgrades,' but in reality, it simply means the production line was cleared for newer models.
