Changan Alsvin vs BAIC B30

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Changan Alsvin in South Africa

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE Petrol 5-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 289,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 78 kW 🔧 145 Nm ⛽ 14.49 km/l
VS
BAIC B30 in South Africa

BAIC B30

B30 Elite Adventure Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 519,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 305 Nm ⛽ 12.41 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Changan Alsvin vs BAIC B30: the short answer

B30 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Alsvin starts ZAR 270,000 cheaper Alsvin from ZAR 249,900 · B30 from ZAR 519,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification Alsvin B30
Maximum Power Alsvin78 kW B30138 kW
Maximum Torque Alsvin145 Nm B30305 Nm
Engine Size Alsvin1500 cc B301498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy Alsvin14.49 km/l B3012.41 km/l
Ground Clearance Alsvin150 mm B30215 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

Independent editorial assessment

Hagalu editorial ratings

When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.

Changan Alsvin

1.5 AT CE

Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

BAIC B30

B30 Elite Adventure

Hagalu editorial rating
4.1/5

Desk research · Exact variant

Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.

Read the review and score breakdown

Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Alsvin

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

B30

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

Alsvin

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

B30

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec Alsvin B30
Model Introduced Year 2025 2025
Generation Current South African Alsvin generation launched with two locally named derivatives in 2025. Current first-generation BAIC B30 for South Africa, introduced locally for the 2025 model year with petrol and self-charging HEV derivatives.
Facelift History No South African facelift has been announced since the current range entered local retail sale. The B30 was unveiled locally in August 2025 and launched in November 2025 as the first South African version; no later local facelift has been announced.
Facelift Launched Since Not Applicable 2025
Facelift Version Ending Not Applicable Current
Body Style Sedan Five-door mid-size SUV
Model Year 2026 2025
Production Status active active
Segment Compact sedan Mid-size SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger car SUV
Spec Alsvin B30
Length 4390 mm 4730 mm
Width 1725 mm 1910 mm
Height 1490 mm 1790 mm
Wheelbase 2535 mm 2820 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 215 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 60 l
Boot/Cargo Space 390 l Not Officially Disclosed
Kerb Weight 1069 kg 1575 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1470 kg 2034 kg
Payload Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 459 kg
Towing Capacity 705 kg 1500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 4 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.5 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This Alsvin and B30 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: Alsvin 35 vs B30 59.

Efficiency index: Alsvin 56 vs B30 51.

Safety-equipment index: Alsvin 32 vs B30 92.

Practicality index: Alsvin 54 vs B30 61.

Ownership-cover index: Alsvin not separately scored vs B30 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

B30 leads by 23 points

B30 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.

Evidence leader 66 /100
Lead 23 points
Data 70% source coverage
66
#1 Evidence leader

B30

70% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Efficiency 51
Performance 59
Efficiency 51
Safety 92
Practicality 61
Leads by 23 points
43
#2

Alsvin

66% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 56 Check Safety 32
Performance 35
Efficiency 56
Safety 32
Practicality 54
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance B30 +24 Efficiency Alsvin +5 Safety B30 +60 Practicality B30 +7

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

B30

Performance 59/100
Efficiency 51/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 61/100

Alsvin

Performance 35/100
Efficiency 56/100
Safety 32/100
Practicality 54/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BAIC B30 leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts vs 43 pts for Alsvin

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, B30 leads. However, Alsvin may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Alsvin vs B30 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.