Meet BAIC’s Most Hardcore SUV Yet
The BJ81 from Beijing Automotive Group Co., Ltd. (BAIC) is shaping up to be the brand’s boldest, most purpose-built SUV, but with far more military grit and off-road seriousness baked in from day one. According to Autohome, it is scheduled for its full unveiling on August 1, 2026.
The BJ81 was introduced earlier this year as a tactical all-terrain vehicle designed for military units, hardcore off-roaders, and anyone who thinks “civilian spec” is just a polite suggestion. And yes, the resemblance to the military Geländewagen is so strong that BAIC isn’t even pretending it’s accidental.
Its development approach is equally unconventional. BAIC is building the BJ81 under a BIP (Build in Public) framework, a design philosophy that uses crowdsourcing and collects user feedback as the project progresses. Once might even call it an enthusiast-tuned evolution shaped by people who actually spend weekends crawling over rocks instead of curbs.
Autohome
A Tactical SUV With Real Off-Road Teeth
BAIC loaded the BJ81 with unapologetically military-spec hardware: metal bumpers, an electric winch, roof-mounted spotlights, and even a drone launch platform. Function backs up the theatrics, too. The BJ81 can ford water up to 51 inches deep, giving it serious amphibious credibility and more than enough clearance for swollen rivers, flash floods, or impressing everyone at the local off-road meetup.
Power comes from the BJ80’s proven engines. The 2.3-liter turbo-four delivers 231 hp through a 6-speed automatic, while the 3.0-liter six-cylinder makes 280 hp paired with an 8-speed auto. Selectable all-wheel drive comes standard, reinforcing that this isn’t some cosplay off-roader—it’s built to survive real punishment in the field.
So… How Close Is It to the G-Wagon?
Visually? Let’s just say you’ll need a double take and maybe a third. The BJ81’s upright proportions, flat fenders, blocky silhouette, and squared-off front end all echo the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon’s military origins. BAIC clearly studied the Geländewagen’s design language and decided to lean into it with enthusiasm.
Where the modern G-Wagon has veered into six-figure luxury territory, the BJ81 seems wonderfully uninterested in pampering its occupants. This thing is intentionally rugged, right down to exposed bolts and mission-first hardware. It feels more like the G-Wagon of old, before it became a status symbol in Beverly Hills. And no, we wouldn’t bet a dollar on this SUV ever reaching the U.S., despite Americans warming up to the idea. Federal regulations, design similarities, and a certain German automaker’s legal department would likely have opinions on the matter.
Autohome
Final Thoughts
The BAIC BJ81 is a welcome throwback to the era of unapologetically tough, military-inspired SUVs. Vehicles designed not for valet parking but for actual terrain. Its BIP development approach, tactical equipment, and purpose-driven engineering give it a sense of authenticity at a time when many off-roaders are becoming lifestyle props.
When it debuts in August 2026, the BJ81 won’t dethrone the G-Class. But in markets that appreciate true off-road hardware, it could easily become the new go-to machine for people who want a vehicle that looks ready for deployment or to survive a zombie apocalypse.
Autohome
