First impressions: Wuling Bingo is charming and surprisingly nimble, but can it take on the Proton e.Mas 5 and Perodua's BEV?
Amirul
·
2025-11-21 18:15:46


With Proton’s e.Mas 5 now officially on sale and Perodua preparing to launch its first BEV, Malaysia’s affordable electric vehicle landscape is entering a new phase of competition. Ahead of that shift, I had the chance to sample one of its potential rivals, the Wuling Bingo, in its very own backyard.

On paper, the Bingo appears to be the underdog of the trio. It seems less advanced in terms of technology and features, but its simplicity and charm might be what help it stand out when it finally reaches Malaysian shores.

Speaking of which, the brand itself, a collaboration between SAIC and General Motors (hence SGMW), is set to enter Malaysia’s fast-growing BEV market with the experienced Tan Chong Motor as its local partner. Under this partnership, the Bingo will be locally assembled (CKD) at Tan Chong’s Segambut plant.


Here, it will be known as TQ Wuling, with “TQ” referencing Tan Chong Motor’s Truckquip commercial vehicle business in Vietnam, a joint venture with SGMW. Interestingly, an SGMW representative explained during a media briefing at its headquarters that “TQ” also stands for Trust and Quality.

The Bingo will be TQ Wuling’s first entry into the Malaysian market, serving as a litmus test against very tough competition from well-established national automakers.

My brief stint at SGMW’s test track wasn’t enough to make a definitive judgment on how the car will perform in Malaysia, but it did give me an early feel of what the Bingo has to offer.

Overview

Marketed as the Binguo in Indonesia and Thailand, the Wuling Bingo is a cutesy five-door BEV hatchback designed primarily for urban use.

It measures 3,950 mm in length, 1,708 mm in width, and 1,580 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,560 mm. This makes it slightly shorter and narrower than the e.Mas 5, though interestingly, its height and wheelbase are identical.

While it has been confirmed that the car will be locally assembled at Tan Chong’s plant in Segambut, the company has yet to reveal full specifications for the Malaysian market.



The expectation, however, is that it won’t differ much from the Indonesian version, where it is offered in Long Range (LR) and Premium Range (PR) variants. The LR variant features a 31.9 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a claimed CLTC range of 333 km, while the PR uses a slightly larger 37.9 kWh battery offering up to 410 km.

What’s it like inside?

Much like its exterior, the Bingo’s cabin exudes a cute, almost playful vibe reminiscent of the BYD Dolphin. However, the combination of brown, beige, and black tones gives it a slightly more mature aesthetic.

Material quality is on par with other small Chinese BEVs I’ve tested. The plastic trim feels acceptable, while the faux-leather upholstery is decent enough. Nothing here feels premium, but at this expected price point, it’s hard to fault.



The front section of the cabin feels open and airy thanks to the floating-style centre console, which doesn’t extend downward to divide the space. The trade-off is the lack of a storage area beneath the console, unlike the e.Mas 5, which offers 20 litres of space in that area.

At the rear, legroom is on the tighter side, though headroom is adequate for average-sized adults. The backrest angle is acceptable for short trips, but the bench itself is placed quite high, resulting in a slightly awkward seating position.

Features that matter

In terms of equipment, the Bingo comes with dual 10.25-inch integrated displays, keyless entry and start, a reverse camera, and parking sensors, among others. It’s a basic but expected setup.



It remains to be seen whether the Malaysian version will support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as the Indonesian model does. Considering the e.Mas 5 already offers these features, it will be important for the Bingo to include them as well, given how crucial they are to buyers today.

Safety equipment is straightforward as well, with ABS, EBD, and ESC included as standard. There’s no ADAS suite, but for Malaysia, I was told the Bingo will be fitted with six airbags, which is four more than the Indonesian market receives.

On the move

SGMW’s proving ground is impressively large, featuring a rough-surface section, a short slalom area with S-curves, and two straight stretches leading into banked corners.



Though small, the Bingo tackled the rough-surface section with ease at around 50 km/h. The corrugated pavement is designed to test NVH, and while vibrations were noticeable, the cabin never felt flimsy, signaling better-than-expected build quality. The use of high-profile tyres (185/60 R15) further helped absorb impacts.

Next came the S-curves. This is where the Bingo showed its hidden talent – handling. It’s not sports-car sharp, but the little BEV felt nimble and chuckable enough to make driving somewhat enjoyable. Even with the track’s twists and turns, the car felt confident threading through the bends.

On the straights, the Bingo was unleashed – well, as much as a 68 PS, 150 Nm BEV can be. It’s not fast, but calling it sloth-like wouldn’t be fair either. There’s enough pull for city driving, but expectations need to be managed.



With three people on board, the car maxed out at just 104 km/h. Not something I’d complain about in town, but overtaking on highways may require some planning.

On the banked corners, the Bingo again impressed. Even though we were restricted to the lower sections of the bank, the car felt stable and composed at 80 to 90 km/h. Speed may not be its forte, but the Bingo demonstrated that it has a calm, sure-footed character, which is more than enough for the urban driving it’s designed for.

The Malaysian question

When it launches here, expected before the year ends, the Bingo will face stiff competition from the Proton e.Mas 5 and Perodua’s upcoming BEV.

Having driven the e.Mas 5, I can say it’s a seriously strong contender, thanks to its feature-packed cabin and agile handling. For the Bingo, its ability to make an impact will ultimately depend on aggressive pricing and whether its specifications meet what Malaysian buyers now expect in an entry-level BEV.

Features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reasonable charging performance, and a solid safety package will be critical factors. Beyond that, brand trust will play an equally important role. Tan Chong’s involvement provides some reassurance, but TQ Wuling will still need strong aftersales support to build buyer confidence.

Verdict


If priced aggressively, ideally well below RM 70,000, the Bingo could establish itself as one of Malaysia’s most affordable, city-focused BEVs. It won’t appeal to those seeking long-distance capability or strong performance, but for daily commuters, cost-conscious buyers, and those who value simplicity, it has the potential to be a charming and compelling alternative.

If they can price it around emas5 spec. Then sure can have a chance.