Hardcore off-road vehicles have always attracted a loyal audience—people who value rugged capability, mechanical confidence, and that unmistakable “go-anywhere” charisma. The drawback, historically, has been just as familiar: high fuel consumption, relatively basic in-car intelligence, and a driving experience that can feel more like a tool than a refined daily vehicle.
As new-energy technology matures, BYD’s Fangchengbao Leopard 5 arrives as a very different kind of hardcore SUV. It brings serious off-road hardware, modern comfort, strong performance, and a technology stack that addresses the traditional pain points head-on. In this deep dive, we’ll look at the Leopard 5 from the outside in—design, cabin experience, space, powertrain, off-road engineering, range, safety, and driver assistance—so you can understand what makes it genuinely compelling.
Exterior: “Leopard Power Aesthetics” Meets Modern Tech
The Leopard 5 uses what BYD calls a “Leopard Power Aesthetics” design language—hard-edged lines blended with modern technical elements. The overall body is square and upright, a classic hardcore SUV silhouette that communicates stability and toughness at first glance.
Up front, two prominent upper-and-lower light bars combine with the outer headlamp light sources to form a ring-shaped lighting signature that is instantly recognizable. The square, retro-style headlights carry the Fangchengbao logo at the center, while the protruding black bumper and silver skid-style protection panel add clear off-road intent. A large, mesh-pattern grille strengthens brand identity and adds depth to the front fascia.
The LED headlamps integrate multiple practical functions and deliver strong illumination. They also support ground projection, allowing the owner to customize projected content such as a “leopard claw” pattern or text—small details that add personality and real presence at night.
From the side, the familiar “boxy” form is reinforced by vertical B/C/D pillars and sculpted door-panel contours that emphasize muscularity. A metallic power-deployable side step and roof rack improve usability for off-road travel and make entry easier for passengers. Color-matched fender flares help the vehicle look more cohesive and premium rather than purely utilitarian.
The Leopard 5 rides on 265/65 R18 tires front and rear, giving it a planted, confident stance.
At the rear, the external “small backpack” continues the hardcore off-road tradition. The side-hinged tailgate, opening horizontally from the left, aligns well with left-hand-drive markets where roadside parking is typically on the right—making it more natural to access cargo while also enhancing the vehicle’s visual balance. The vertically arranged LED taillights are embedded into a robust black protective surround, ensuring high recognition at night. The taillights also support a light-carpet projection function, which becomes especially useful in social settings such as camping.
Body color choices include Glacier Blue, Poplar Gold, Mountain Green, and a total of six colors to suit different tastes.
Interior: Premium Materials and a Strong Tech Atmosphere
Inside, the Leopard 5 immediately delivers a sense of quality and technology. Large areas are wrapped in soft-touch materials, complemented by silver metallic trim that elevates the cabin’s perceived class.
The multifunction steering wheel is finished in leather and supports up/down and fore/aft adjustment, along with memory and heating—a feature you appreciate most on cold mornings. Two rotary controllers below the steering wheel handle drive modes and off-road modes, with straightforward operation and clear functionality.
“Smart 5-Screen” Layout
A standout feature is the Leopard 5’s “Smart 5-screen” configuration:
- 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster
- 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen
- 12.3-inch front passenger entertainment screen
- 50-inch head-up display (HUD)
- Streaming rearview mirror
The digital cluster and HUD work together to project key information into the driver’s line of sight, reducing the need to glance down—enhancing both safety and convenience. The central and passenger displays offer 2.5K resolution, delivering sharp visuals.
The central screen runs the DiLink intelligent system, which operates smoothly and includes a comprehensive feature set:
- Amap (Gaode) navigation
- Bluetooth and in-car calling
- HUAWEI HiCar smartphone integration/mirroring
- 5G connectivity
- OTA updates
Cabin Practicality: Thoughtful Controls and Comfort Features
The center console adopts a distinctive “latch” style, dual-layer design. The upper tier includes a 50W wireless charging pad and a cable-routing slot, while the lower tier provides storage space plus fragrance and USB interfaces.
The pop-up gear selector rises when the vehicle starts and retracts when powered off—an intentional “ceremony” touch that feels special in daily use. Around the shifter are physical buttons for frequently used functions, including differential lock controls and power mode switching, allowing quick operation without diving into menus.
Inside the armrest compartment sits an onboard hot-and-cold compressor refrigerator:
- Cooling: 6°C to -6°C
- Heating: 30°C to 50°C
This kind of feature is particularly useful for road trips, off-road convoys, and family travel.
All seats are upholstered in Nappa leather. Both front and rear seats include heating, while the front seats add ventilation and a 10-point SPA backrest massage function. A clever flexibility detail: when the front seats are moved fully forward and the headrests removed, the front seatbacks can align with the rear seat cushion plane. Combined with folding the rear backrests, the cabin can form a large, nearly flat space for rest or hauling bulky gear.
The audio system is Devialet, equipped with 18 speakers, including headrest speakers, delivering a notably immersive listening experience. Additional comfort and atmosphere features include:
- Panoramic sunroof (openable)
- Multi-color ambient lighting
- Active fragrance system
Space: Mid-Size SUV Dimensions, Full-Size Comfort
As a mid-size SUV, the Leopard 5 measures 4890 × 1970 × 1920 mm, with a 2800 mm wheelbase. These dimensions translate to strong cabin space for the segment.
Seat design emphasizes both wraparound support and long-haul comfort, with thick padding that reduces fatigue on extended drives. The front seats offer multi-way electric adjustment and include heating, ventilation, memory, and massage, creating a truly premium experience—especially useful after hours of off-road driving. Reclining the front seats and activating massage + heating can noticeably ease fatigue.
With the front seats set for a comfortable driving position, a 176 cm passenger in the rear still has around 2.5 fists of legroom and 1.5 fists of headroom, indicating a genuinely spacious rear row. The rear floor is flat, so the center passenger is not forced into an awkward posture. Rear-seat comfort is further supported by heating and ventilation, a thoughtful detail for this class.
The large panoramic sunroof includes a sunshade that can be opened or closed, providing effective physical sun protection in hot weather.
Cargo capacity is also strong: the trunk reaches 1069 liters, suitable for daily shopping, family travel, and outdoor adventure. Folding the rear seats expands usable space even further when required.
Powertrain: PHEV Muscle with Real Performance Numbers
The Leopard 5 uses a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a longitudinally mounted 1.5L four-cylinder turbocharged engine plus front and rear permanent-magnet/synchronous motors.
Key outputs:
- Engine: 143 kW, 273 N·m
- Electric motors (combined): 485 kW, 760 N·m
This setup delivers 0–100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, with response and acceleration comparable to high-end performance vehicles. Whether it’s quick city launches or confident highway overtakes, the power delivery is smooth, strong, and consistently available.
Chassis and Off-Road Capability: Built to Go Anywhere
The Leopard 5 uses a front-mounted four-wheel-drive layout and features double-wishbone independent suspension at both the front and rear. This helps filter small vibrations and larger impacts effectively. Together with front acoustic glass, it also supports strong cabin quietness.
A major highlight is the DiSus-P hydraulic suspension, supporting five levels of ride height adjustment. Ground clearance can rise to a maximum of 310 mm. Geometry and wading capability are equally serious:
- Approach angle: 39°
- Departure angle: 35°
- Wading depth: 790 mm
Multiple drive modes—such as off-road and snow—work in combination with front and rear differential locks to improve traction and recovery capability in challenging terrain. In low-speed 4WD and crawl mode, the Leopard 5 can climb a 40° steep slope with composure. The hill descent control system automatically manages speed on downhill sections, making steep descents feel controlled and predictable.
Range, Charging, and Outdoor Utility
The Leopard 5 carries a 31.8 kWh LFP Blade Battery. Under CLTC conditions:
- Pure electric range: 125 km
It supports fast charging, with 30% to 80% in 27 minutes, allowing many urban commutes to be completed in EV mode for lower running costs.
With a full tank and full charge, total range can reach 1,200 km, greatly reducing range anxiety for long trips or off-road expeditions. The vehicle runs on 92-octane fuel, and in a low-battery state, fuel consumption is 7.8 L/100 km, stated as 35% more fuel-efficient than traditional hardcore off-road vehicles.
For camping and outdoor scenarios, it supports 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) power output, including vehicle-to-vehicle charging. That means you can power items like projectors and electric ovens at camp, expanding the usefulness of the vehicle far beyond transportation.
Safety: Dual Five-Star Design and Comprehensive Protection
As a vehicle designed for both city roads and wild terrain, the Leopard 5 is engineered to dual five-star safety standards. Its structure combines:
- Ultra-high-strength cage-style safety cell
- Body-on-frame architecture (non-unibody ladder frame)
- CTC (Cell-to-Chassis) battery integration design
The frame uses 96% high-strength steel, and torsional rigidity is stated to improve by 38%. High-strength frame rails, protective steel plates, and an innovative energy-absorbing buffer layer provide extensive battery protection.
Thermal management uses heat-pump direct cooling and direct heating, with intelligent temperature equalization to reduce cell temperature variance—improving thermal management performance and adaptability in complex environments.
For occupant protection, the vehicle includes 11 airbags. Active safety is supported by seven warning systems, including:
- Lane departure warning
- Front and rear collision warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert while reversing
It also includes:
- Automatic emergency braking
- Blind-spot/lane-change assist
- Lane keeping and lane centering
- Driver fatigue alerts
- Traffic signal recognition
Together, these features reinforce BYD’s idea that “safety is the greatest luxury in an electric vehicle.”
Driver Assistance: Huawei ADS 3.3 vs BYD “God’s Eye”
Driver assistance differs by version.
Some trims are equipped with Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Driving ADS 3.3, using an end-to-end architecture designed to behave more like human driving. It is described as strong across driving, parking, and obstacle avoidance—often compared to having a dedicated experienced driver. Key claims include:
- Driving: “works nationwide”
- Parking: highly flexible (“if there’s a spot, it can park”)
- Obstacle avoidance: comprehensive protection across road conditions
Other versions use BYD’s “God’s Eye” driver assistance system, which includes intelligent driving assistance, intelligent parking assistance, and active safety functions. The vehicle is equipped with 24 intelligent driving sensors and supports more than 20 driver-assistance functions.
Regardless of system choice, the intent is clear: reduce driver workload, improve safety margins, and make long-distance travel and complex terrain less stressful.
Conclusion: A New-Energy Hardcore Off-Roader That Feels Complete
The BYD Fangchengbao Leopard 5 brings a fresh approach to the hardcore off-road category. It tackles the old problems—high fuel consumption and limited intelligence—while delivering strong off-road geometry, advanced suspension, serious traction hardware, and a comfort level that fits everyday family use.
If you are an off-road enthusiast who also values technology, refinement, and operating efficiency, the Leopard 5 makes a strong case. When choosing a version, it’s worth comparing the driver-assistance packages and configuration differences carefully, then selecting the trim that best matches your usage—whether your priority is maximum intelligent driving capability or pure off-road character.
Used well, the Leopard 5 is the kind of vehicle that can take you far—across cities, highways, and rough trails—while turning each journey into something worth remembering.
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