Brilliance V5

Brilliance V5: Which Version Should You Buy?

The Brilliance V5 choice comes down to engine output, transmission, drive system, and generation. The original generation, produced from March 2011 to August 2019, offers two 1.6-liter versions with 110 hp.

The Brilliance V5 choice comes down to engine output, transmission, drive system, and generation. The original generation, produced from March 2011 to August 2019, offers two 1.6-liter versions with 110 hp. The restyled range, introduced in August 2017, expands the choice to seven versions: naturally aspirated 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT models with 118 hp, plus turbocharged 1.5 MT and 1.5 AT models with either 143 or 150 hp. Most versions are FWD, while one 150 hp 1.5 AT is AWD. Every listed Brilliance V5 is an SUV 5-doors with a Gasoline engine.

Brilliance V5 generations: what changed?

The original Brilliance V5 generation ran from March 2011 until August 2019 and included two versions, both named 1.6: 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT. Each uses a 1600 cc, 110 hp engine producing 151 Nm, paired with either a 5-speed Manual or 5-speed Automatic gearbox. Both are FWD.

The first-generation restyling began in August 2017 and contains seven versions. Its naturally aspirated 1.6 alternatives increase output to 118 hp from 1590 cc, while torque remains 151 Nm. The more substantial change is the addition of a 1498 cc Turbo engine, offered with 143 hp and 210 Nm or 150 hp and 220 Nm. The restyled selection also adds an AWD version, although it is available only as a 150 hp 1.5 AT.

Brilliance V5 engine and specs comparison

All listed engines are Gasoline units with 4 cylinders in an Inline layout, mounted Front, transverse and supplied by Distributed injection (multi-point). Every version has 4 valves per cylinder and uses 95 fuel.

The original 110 hp 1.6 engine develops approximately 68.8 hp per liter. The restyled 118 hp 1.6 reaches approximately 74.2 hp per liter, while the 143 hp and 150 hp 1.5 Turbo engines produce approximately 95.5 and 100.1 hp per liter respectively.

Compared with the original 1.6 versions, the restyled naturally aspirated engine adds 8 hp but no extra torque. The 143 hp 1.5 Turbo adds 33 hp and 59 Nm, while the 150 hp tune adds 40 hp and 69 Nm. Moving from the 143 hp Turbo specification to the 150 hp specification adds 7 hp and 10 Nm.

Brilliance V5 performance and fuel economy

Among versions with measured acceleration, the original 1.6 MT and restyled 1.6 MT share the quickest figure at 11.9 seconds to 100 km/h. The restyled 150 hp 1.5 AT follows at 12.1 seconds. Both 143 hp 1.5 versions record 13.9 seconds, the same as the original 1.6 AT.

The highest listed top speed belongs to the restyled 150 hp 1.5 MT at 180 km/h. That is 10 km/h above both original 1.6 versions and 5 km/h above the 143 hp Turbo models and both 150 hp Automatic Turbo models. The restyled 1.6 AT has the lowest listed maximum at 165 km/h.

Fuel-consumption measurements are available only for the original 1.6 MT and 1.6 AT: 10 L/100 km in the city, 7.8 L/100 km on the highway, and 8.5 L/100 km combined. Consumption for every restyled version is not measured, so the supplied figures cannot establish which restyled engine is more economical.

Brilliance V5 dimensions, weight, clearance, and tank

Every version has 175 mm of ground clearance and a 55 L fuel tank. Wheel sizes are not measured for any listed version. Gross weight is 1955 kg for the restyled 143 hp 1.5 AT and 1.5 MT; gross weight for every other version is not measured.

The restyled 150 hp 1.5 MT has the strongest power-to-weight relationship at approximately 9.5 kg per hp. The comparable FWD 1.5 AT weighs 35 kg more and reaches approximately 9.7 kg per hp. Choosing AWD raises kerb weight by 115 kg over that FWD 1.5 AT, resulting in approximately 10.5 kg per hp.

The original 1.6 versions weigh 1730 kg, giving approximately 15.7 kg per hp. Compared with them, the restyled 1.6 MT is 370 kg lighter and adds 8 hp; its weight-per-horsepower figure improves to approximately 11.5 kg per hp.

All versions use Independent, spring front suspension and Semi-independent rear spring suspension. Braking is by Ventilated disc brakes at the front and Disc brakes at the rear.

Which Brilliance V5 version should you buy?

Choose the restyled 1.5 MT with 150 hp if maximum listed performance is the priority. Its 220 Nm is the highest torque figure in the range, its 180 km/h top speed is the highest listed, and its approximately 9.5 kg-per-hp ratio is the best calculated result. Its 0–100 km/h time is not measured.

Choose the restyled FWD 1.5 AT with 150 hp if you want the same 220 Nm with an Automatic gearbox. It has a measured 12.1-second acceleration time, weighs 1455 kg, and is 115 kg lighter than the AWD version with the same power, torque, gearbox, and 175 km/h top speed.

Choose the restyled AWD 1.5 AT with 150 hp when AWD is the deciding requirement. It is the only AWD version in the supplied range. The trade-off visible in the data is its 1570 kg kerb weight, which is 115 kg above the equivalent FWD 1.5 AT; its acceleration and fuel consumption are not measured.

Choose the restyled 1.6 MT if the naturally aspirated engine and Manual gearbox suit your priorities. It pairs 118 hp with the lowest kerb weight in the catalogue, 1360 kg, and matches the best measured acceleration time of 11.9 seconds. The 1.6 AT provides an Automatic alternative, but its acceleration is not measured and its 165 km/h maximum is 5 km/h below the 1.6 MT.

The original 1.6 MT is the more convincing of the two earlier versions on measured performance. It reaches 100 km/h in 11.9 seconds, whereas the original 1.6 AT requires 13.9 seconds; both have 110 hp, 151 Nm, a 170 km/h top speed, and identical measured consumption. Buyers comparing earlier vehicles also gain actual city, highway, and combined consumption figures, which are not measured for the restyled range.

Price, sale listings, service history, problems, and reliability measurements are not provided. They therefore cannot support a factual recommendation here. On specifications alone, the restyled 1.5 MT with 150 hp is the performance choice, the restyled 1.5 AT with 150 hp is the Automatic FWD choice, the restyled 1.5 AT with 150 hp and AWD is the traction-system choice, and the restyled 1.6 MT is the lightest naturally aspirated option.