SAIC Motor Roewe RX5 History

Compact SUV · 2016–present

Sample hero image — replace with real model photography.

History

Jointly developed by SAIC Motor and Alibaba Group, the Roewe RX5 was officially launched in Hangzhou on July 6, 2016, billed as the world's first mass-produced internet car. Equipped with Alibaba's YunOS for Car operating system, the RX5 offered cloud-connected navigation, voice control, and remote management via smartphone — a significant technical statement in China's smart-car race. The car sold at an average of one unit every two minutes in its opening month, driving a reported 205 percent surge in Roewe monthly sales.

The RX5 expanded into multiple variants: the larger RX5 Max arrived in 2019, followed by the RX5 Plus, and a third-generation RX5 and plug-in-hybrid eRX5 were launched in 2022. Across its generations the nameplate has been one of Roewe's best-selling models and is credited with normalizing embedded digital cockpits in China's mass market.

Generations

First generation · RX5 (original) (2016–2019)

Photo: “2017 Roewe RX5 (front)” by User 3204 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 4.0 . Cropped to 16:9.

The original Alibaba/YunOS 'internet car' compact SUV; launched July 2016 to massive demand.
- 2017
  Photo: “2017 Roewe RX5 (front)” by User 3204 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY 4.0
Second generation · RX5 Max / RX5 Plus (2019–2022)

Larger RX5 Max and performance-focused RX5 Plus variants, sold alongside each other.
- 2021
  Photo: “Roewe RX5 Plus 20210227” by Evnerd / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Third generation · RX5 (2022) (2022–present)

Redesigned third-gen RX5 with new PHEV eRX5 variant; continuing in production.
- 2022
  Photo: “2022 SAIC Roewe RX5 (front)” by User 3204 / Wikimedia Commons , licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0