The first thing we did when we were handed the keys to the Wuling Binguo EV was head to the Sunflower Nursery in Shankhamul. Part of it was to navigate our way through the busy traffic congestions and test out the agility of the Binguo EV. We also wanted to see if it could stretch its legs in the open stretches from Maitighar to Baneshwor.

However, since the company has been pretty big on its bootspace, we decided to see how well it could accommodate our plant haul for the month. Unless you have a penchant for plants yourself, this might not be the niche selling point that will get you hooked on the Binguo EV. Thankfully, the Binguo EV has more in its arsenal than its plant-hauling prowess.

EXTERIOR

There are many people who compare the likeliness of the Wuling Binguo EV with the Ora, and it is too difficult to see why. The gentle curves and oval headlights do resemble the flowy design of the Ora and it suits the Binguo as well.

The Wuling Binguo EV combines a mix of classic and modern design elements. Its front features a bean-shaped headlight with an X-shaped LED setup, including LED DRLs and indicators. The water splash wheel caps look nice, but they are small, and we are inclined to say they look cute. The chrome accents add a premium touch.

The rear mirrors the front’s design with similar bean-shaped tail lamps and X-shaped LED lights, rounded off by a slightly bumped-out rear and wide, curved rear glass.

INTERIOR

Step inside the Wuling Binguo EV and you’ll be greeted by a dual-tone colour and a whole lot of headroom. So much so, we can’t remember the last time our heads were so far away from the cabin ceiling in a car.

However, you will feel slightly disoriented due to the uninterrupted leg space between the driver and the passenger. Because there is completely open space under the dashboard, you will notice that your left foot fidgets around like an uncomfortable dog trying to find the perfect position to settle down in. Even when you do find a position to station your knee, you aren’t truly comfortable. It will take some time to get used to.

On the upside, you get oodles of leg space for both driver and passenger. While many will use this space to store their belongings, you have to be wary of what you put under there. A small water bottle inconspicuously rolling its way under the brake pedal does not bode well for anyone.

There are a couple of tiny hooks where you can hang your bags or grocery which does come in handy, and there are plenty of storage spaces for your bottles and smaller belongings.

Overall, the interior is decent. It is a mix of glossy ceramic glaze texture and soft synthetic leather, which feels nice. The leather-covered steering wheel houses buttons for various functions, including cruise control and media control, alongside wiper and indicator controls. Behind it, a full-colour 10.25-inch TFT-connected display serves as the digital instrument cluster, paired with another 10.25-inch infotainment display for navigation and media.

You get knobs for climate control, which is a plus in our books. There are three knobs below the infotainment display, accentuated by a chrome finish. The centre console, featuring a rotary gear selector and ample storage space, is well-organized for convenience. Worth noting is that the driver’s seat offers a 6-way electric adjustment.

The rear seats are spacious, with plenty of legroom and headroom. However, you can only safely seat two passengers. You only get two seatbelts. So, that makes it a four-seater car.

We loved the boot space on offer. With the rear seats folded down, the boot space expands to a whopping 790 litres. But wait, there’s more. You get two sturdy plastic containers under the flatbed of the trunk. You can opt to store your belongings in there or if you are headed out on a longer trip, you can remove the boxes altogether and reveal a deep storage space that can accommodate your suitcases and bags with ease.

PERFORMANCE

Is the Binguo EV capable of extended road trips? Well, that depends. On paper, with its 31.9 kWh LFP battery, the Wuling Binguo EV has a CLTC range of 333 km on a single full charge. So, medium-distance road trips aren’t out of the question. This brings us to the topic of charging.

Charging the Binguo EV is a breeze you get two charging ports on either side: CCS and GB/T. The Binguo EV includes the GB/T port which is typically used in public vehicles for DC charging. With GB/T, you can fast charge at NEA charging stations, achieving a 30% to 80% charge in 35 minutes.

The CCS option caters to AC charging, and using the standard 2kW charger, you can fully charge the battery in about 14 hours. However, with the adapter for a CCS2 gun, you can fast charge with 7kW, reducing the charging time from 20% to 100% to approximately 5.5 hours.

The Wuling Binguo EV is powered by a 50 kW PWSM motor, delivering 67 hp and 150 Nm of torque, paired with a single reduction gear transmission. This setup enables the car to reach a top speed of 120 km/h.

Driving it is pretty straightforward. You get keyless entry and start so you’re off to a start without too much trouble. The steering is very light and manoeuvring around the city is effortless. You get multiple modes of driving. You have the usual eco, normal, and sport modes, but there is an additional eco+ mode that makes the already conservative eco mode stingier. Surprisingly, the Eco+ mode faired very well in traffic congestions and it made sense to switch to the mode when we were out and about during busy traffic hours.

Front and rear discs provide decent control on the roads. At first, they did feel a little spongey and felt like it lacked the bite you would expect from 4 discs. Upon driving it for a longer period, the brakes proved to be very effective providing linear braking abilities.

The auto hold function comes in handy, but you can switch it off with a press of a button. You also get a parking camera which isn’t the best quality available, but it is still decent. Other features like the ABS and EBD, dual front airbags, ESC, and tyre pressure monitoring system are also added to the package of the Wuling Binguo EV.

VERDICT

The Wuling Binguo EV isn’t just about impressive boot space and storage solutions. It’s a well-rounded electric hatchback that competes with the likes of the Tata Tiago EV, BYD Dolphin, and Citroen eC3. With its blend of classic and modern design, a host of features, and efficient performance, the Binguo EV is poised to make a significant mark in the competitive electric vehicle market in Nepal.

Priced at Rs.31.99 lakh, it does come in at a decent price, considering the space it offers along with a substantial range and adaptable charging solutions. It is worth noting that this is effectively a four-seater car.