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.
Volkswagen Amarok vs BAIC B40 Plus: the short answer
Amarok holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over B40 Plus.
Amarok starts ZAR 102,700 cheaperAmarok from ZAR 596,800 · B40 Plus from ZAR 699,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Amarok
B40 Plus
Maximum Power
Amarok184 kW
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
Amarok600 Nm
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Engine Size
Amarok2993 cc
B40 Plus1998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
Amarok14.5 km/l
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
Ground Clearance
Amarok237 mm
B40 Plus210 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.
Volkswagen Amarok
DC Aventura 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion 10AT
Hagalu editorial ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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)
Specification evidence leader
Amarok
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished EfficiencyPublished Practicality
B40 Plus
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
Amarok
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
B40 Plus
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2010
2021
Generation
Latest Amarok generation brings improved performance and modern safety features
Current B40 Plus Honor Edition within the locally served first B40 Plus generation, using body-on-frame construction and an electronic part-time 4WD system.
Facelift History
Major redesign in 2023 introducing new platform, updated engines, and advanced tech
The B40 Plus launched in South Africa in October 2021. The current Honor Edition debuted locally in May 2025, adding electric seat adjustment and a sunroof to the City Hunter-based specification; BAIC now presents it as the sole current B40 Plus derivative.
Facelift Launched Since
2023
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Pickup
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Body Type Cab
Pickup
-
Color Note
White, Silver, Black, Grey, Blue, Red
-
Dealer Stock Note
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
-
Drivetrain Note
4x4 configuration for the local line-up
-
Model Year
Current
2021
Production Status
published
active
Segment
Pickup
Off-road SUV
Tare Mass Kg
2023 kg
-
Vehicle Type
Pickup
SUV
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Length
5350 mm
4630 mm
Width
1910 mm
1925 mm
Height
1884 mm
1871 mm
Wheelbase
3270 mm
2745 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
237 mm
210 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
75 l
Kerb Weight
2023 kg
2110 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
3190 kg
2535 kg
Payload Capacity
1167 kg
425 kg
Towing Capacity
3500 kg
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
12.93 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
190 mm
Boot/Cargo Space
-
532 l
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Front Headroom
-
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
-
1000 mm
Front Legroom
-
1045 mm
Rear Legroom
-
900 mm
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Front Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Rear Track Width
Not Applicable
-
Front Suspension
Not Available
Double wishbone independent front suspension
Rear Suspension
Not Available
Five-link non-independent rear suspension
MagneRide Damping
Not Available
-
Chassis Type
-
Body-on-frame
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Load Bed Length
1624 mm
-
Load Bed Width
1227 mm
-
Climate Control
Not Available
Dual-zone automatic
Power Windows
Not Available
Standard
Keyless Entry
Not Available
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Available
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Available
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
965 l
12V Accessory Socket
Standard
-
Speed Limiter
Standard
-
AC Type
Not Available
Dual-zone automatic
Adaptive Dampers
Not Available
-
Front Armrest
Standard
-
Front Power Outlet
Standard
-
Fuel Consumption Combined
6.9
11.1 L/100 km
Performance Data Logger
Not Available
-
Rev Matching
Not Available
-
Skid Plates
Confirmed 4WD derivative
-
Speed Alert System
Adjustable speed limiter
-
Battery Preconditioning
Not Available
-
Bottle Holders
Standard
-
Centre Console
Standard
-
Intelligent Battery System
Not Available
-
Load Bed Light
Pickup utility fitment/compatibility
-
Loadbox Length Mm
1624 mm
-
Loadbox Tiedown Brackets
Pickup utility fitment/compatibility
-
Loadbox Width Mm
1227 mm
-
One Pedal Driving
Not Available
-
Power Socket 12v
Standard
-
Rear Electric Motor
Not Available
-
Rear Step Bumper
Pickup utility fitment/compatibility
-
Regenerative Braking Levels
Not Available
-
Source Model Column
amarok
-
Sport Plus Mode
Not Available
-
Tailgate Lock
Pickup utility fitment/compatibility
-
Tie Down Hooks
Pickup utility fitment/compatibility
-
Tow Bar Type
Bakkie towing support
-
Towbar
Bakkie towing support
-
Trailer Hitch
Bakkie towing support
-
Trailer Stability Assist
Confirmed 4WD derivative
-
Trailer Sway Control
Confirmed 4WD derivative
-
Trim Level
flagship
-
Variant Role
Flagship / premium derivative
-
Vehicle To Grid
Not Available
-
Vehicle To Load
Not Available
-
Boot Space Seats Folded
Not Applicable
965 l
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Engine
Not Officially Disclosed
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Diesel
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2993 cc
1998 cc
Cylinders
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Officially Disclosed
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
184 kW
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
600 Nm
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Drive Type
4WD
4WD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
Not Officially Disclosed
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
9.9 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
17.2 sec
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
91 kW/tonne
78.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
296.6 Nm/tonne
180.1 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Gearbox
Automatic
8AT
Drivetrain Layout
4x4
4WD
LSD Available
Not Applicable
No
Transfer Case
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
10
8
Transmission Type
Automatic
8-speed automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
4x4
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
4WD Engagement
Available
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
4WD Hi Range
Available
Standard
4WD Lo Range
Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Yes
4WD Selector
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Mode Selector
4WD/off-road drive mode support
-
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Optional electronic differential lock
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Low Range
Available where 4WD low range is fitted
Yes
Axle Layout
4x4
Front and rear drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Electronic differential lock
Transmission Speeds
10
8
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Claimed Mileage
14.5 km/l
9.0 km/l
City Mileage
11.8 km/l
7.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
17.0 km/l
10.6 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
80 l
75 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Euro IV
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
14.5 km/l
9.0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
80
75
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Airbags
6
2
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
Traction Control
Not Available
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Confirmed 4WD derivative
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Not Available
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Available
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Available
Standard
Brake Assist
Not Available
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Available
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
AEB
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
BA
Not Available
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Available
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Airbag
Not Available
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Available
Standard
Hill Hold
Not Available
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Not Available
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Available
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Stability Control
Not Available
Standard
TCS
Not Available
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
-
Standard
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Rear View Camera
Not Available
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Wipers
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
EV Mode
Not Available
-
Rear Parking Sensors
Not Available
Standard
Reverse Camera
Not Available
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Park Assist
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
Amarok
B40 Plus
Seat Material
Cloth
Leather
Heated Seats
Not Applicable
No
Ventilated Seats
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Ambient Lighting
Not Applicable
Monochrome
Front Armrest
Standard
-
Front Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Rear Shoulder Room
Not Applicable
-
Cup Holders
Standard
-
Steering Wheel Material
Not Applicable
Leather
Interior Colour Options
Black
-
60 40 Split Seat
Not Applicable
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way electric
Fabric Seats
Cloth
-
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Applicable
6-way electric
Armrest Front
Standard
-
Interior Courtesy Lamps
Premium interior layout, large infotainment screen, digital cockpit, advanced driver assistance systems
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Price Zar
1259700 ZAR
699500 ZAR
Pricing Role
Active local lineup
Current ex-showroom price
Starting Price
1259700
699500
Starting Price Zar
1259700
699500
In depth: how these cars differ
This Amarok and B40 Plus 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: Amarok 91 vs B40 Plus 71.
Efficiency index: Amarok 57 vs B40 Plus 41.
Safety-equipment index: Amarok 82 vs B40 Plus 57.
Practicality index: Amarok 87 vs B40 Plus 67.
Ownership-cover index: Amarok not separately scored vs B40 Plus 62.
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.
Model imagery
Amarok and B40 Plus image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
Amarok leads by 20 points
Amarok holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over B40 Plus.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Amarok
Performance
91/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
82/100
Practicality
87/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexVolkswagen Amarok
leads the specification evidence index with 81 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Amarok leads. However, B40 Plus may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.
Related comparisons
Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.
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.
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