In order to enhance electronic/ionic conductivity and stabilize the crystal structure of the layered V2O5 material, carbon-encapsulated Mn-doped V2O5nanorods (Mn0.1V2O5@C) were prepared through hydrothermal treatment and followed by annealing at a high temperature. The as-prepared sample appears as quasi spheres with a diameter range of 2–5μm, in which the Mn0.1V2O5 nanorods (20nm in diameter and 200nm in length) are embedded within the porous carbon matrix. These quasi spheres have a hierarchically porous structure and possess a specific surface area of 26.48m2 g−1. They can deliver the specific capacities of 265, 247, 236, 219, 186 and 164mAhg−1 at the rates of 0.1, 0.5, 2, 5, 10 and 20C over the potential range of 4.0–2.0V (vs. Li+/Li), respectively. After cycled at 5C rate for 500 times at room temperature, they can retain 94% of the initial capacity due to both carbon encapsulation and Mn doping. The results indicate that the Mn0.1V2O5@C quasi spheres possess excellent rate capability and long span life, which are promising to be applied in high-power rechargeable lithium batteries.