BYD Bao 5 off-road SUV wanted

Electric car-giant BYD’s new-model onslaught shows no sign of abating, with a rock-crushing Prado-slayer high on its agenda for Australia as it seeks to topple Toyota from its top spot.

The Fang Cheng Bao 5, as it’s called in China, is a genuine off-road large SUV that is likely to form the basis for the brand’s worst kept secret, the Ranger Raptor-rivalling Shark 6 Meg – and it’s odds-on to come to Australia.

While BYD’s Asia Pacific boss, Liu Xueliang, told carsales the Bao 5 hasn’t been officially locked in for Australia, he also refused to rule it out – and hinted that it could wear BYD badges Down Under.

“We haven’t decided [on Bao 5 branding] yet for BYD,” he said.

“We have a whole range of cars, we have a lot of options, but for each vehicle, whenever we want to bring them to the Australian market, we want to make sure we discuss it wholly within the company.”

That’s executive code for ‘it’s coming, but we don’t want to let the cat out of the bag just yet’.

There’s a chance the Bao 5 could wear Denza badges, as BYD’s luxury car brand is launching in Australia later in 2025.

But the chances of the Fang Cheng Bao or Yangwang brand names being used in Australia are almost nil.

Perhaps the ‘Fang’ brand name will be adopted but, whatever eventuates, it’s manifestly clear there’s a groundswell of support to bring a top-tier Toyota Prado, GWM Tank 500 and Jeep Wrangler off-road rival to Australia.

The Toyota Prado-sized Bao 5 is based on the same rugged ladder-frame platform as the BYD Shark 6 but gets a more potent 505kW and 770Nm, along with more rugged off-road features including three diff locks and height-adjustable hydraulic active suspension.

It can also blast from 0-100km/h in a claimed 4.8 seconds, has a 125km electric range, and a 1200km total cruising range with one tank of fuel.

BYD’s Aussie distributor, EVDirect, is very keen to bring the Bao 5 to Australia and the company’s CEO, David Smitherman, told carsales a Toyota Prado rival is a must if the brand wants to be taken seriously.

“I can promise you I’ve been asking for every product for every segment and clearly we need a rival for that [Prado].

Aussie customers are already inquiring about the new model, with Smitherman confirming that this feedback had been passed back to BYD.

Although he wouldn’t be drawn on timeframes, Smitherman said the range needs a bit more variety before the Bao 5 lands.

“I feel as though we’ve got to just stick to our plan,” he said. “We have a really clear strategy and plan for this year and I think as that eventuates you’ll see those segments being filled.”

BYD has made no secret of its long-term objectives to become not only a top-10 brand in Australia but also of toppling Toyota as the most popular brand in Oz outright, and the Bao 5 will play a crucial role.

Along with the Seal sedan and Dolphin hatchback EVs, plus the Sealion 6 and Shark 6 hybrid SUV and ute, BYD’s new model rollout has been fast and effective.

BYD has been talking a big game since it launched the Atto 3 in Australia back in 2022, and now the new model assault looks set to continue with the terrain-taming Bao 5.

Importer EVDirect says it also wants to have the top-selling vehicle in Australia too, with hopes its Shark 6 hybrid ute can seize that crown from the Ford Ranger.

BYD achieved more than four million vehicle sales globally last year and sees Australia as a key conquest market.

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