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.
B40 Plus and Carens are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Carens starts ZAR 299,505 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · Carens from ZAR 399,995
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
Carens
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Carens85 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Carens250 Nm @ 1500-2750 rpm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
Carens1493 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
Carens18.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
Carens180 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.
BAIC B40 Plus
Honor Edition
Hagalu editorial rating
4.0/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
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)
B40 Plus
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
Carens
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
B40 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover
Carens
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Model Introduced Year
2021
2026
Generation
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.
Fourth-generation Kia Carens (KY) facelift; South African launch May 2026
Facelift History
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.
Current facelift launched in South Africa in May 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
MPV
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Off-road SUV
MPV
Vehicle Type
SUV
MPV
Dealer Stock Note
-
Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note
-
Clear White, Aurora Black Pearl, Gravity Blue, Pewter Olive, Snow White Pearl
Tare Mass Kg
-
1745 kg
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Length
4630 mm
4550 mm
Width
1925 mm
1800 mm
Height
1871 mm
1734 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2780 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
180 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
175 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
216 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1488 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
2050 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
562 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
750 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
7 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.4 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1062 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
1045 mm
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1031 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
928 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
D4FA
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
1493 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Common Rail Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
16.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
75 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
84.5 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
85 kW @ 4000 rpm
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
250 Nm @ 1500-2750 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
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
13.1 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
18.4 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
No
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
4500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
57.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
168.0 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
B40 Plus
Carens
Gearbox
8AT
6-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
FWD
LSD Available
No
No
Transfer Case
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
No
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
3.63
Number of Gears
8
6
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Automatic Transmission
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Dry Dual Clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic
Drivetrain
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Standard
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
6-Speed Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front and rear drive
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
6
Engine Position
-
Front Transverse
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
-
15.1:1
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
18.9 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
15.3 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
22.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
45 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
18.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
45
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Fuel Warning
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Alarm System
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
No
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Side Impact Beams
-
Yes
Whiplash Protection
-
Yes
Pedestrian Detection AEB
-
Yes
Lane Change Warning
-
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Yes
Fatigue Detection
-
Yes
Speed Alert System
-
Yes
Safety Rating
-
5
Central Locking
-
Yes
ESC With Traction Control
-
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Yes
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
6
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
EV Mode
-
No
Reversing Camera
-
Yes
Auto Lights
-
Yes
Eco Mode
-
Yes
Sport Mode
-
Yes
Emergency Braking
-
Yes
Pre-Collision System
-
Yes
Rear View Camera
-
Yes
Reverse Camera Type
-
Yes
Surround View Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Parking Distance Sensors
-
Yes
Parking Sensor
-
Yes
Front Camera
-
Yes
Automatic High Beam
-
Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Seat Material
Leather
Leather
Heated Seats
No
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
8-Way Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
4-Way Manual
Seat Trim
Leather
Leather
Steering Type
-
Yes
Steering Adjustment
-
Tilt and Telescopic
Rear USB Ports
-
Yes
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Digital
Rear AC Vents
-
Yes
Cooled Seats
-
Yes
Fabric Seats
-
No
Leather Seats
-
Yes
Adjustable Driver Seat
-
8-Way Power
Seat Adjustment
-
8-Way Power
Adjustable Front Seat
-
4-Way Manual
Driver Lumbar Support
-
Yes
Memory Seats
-
Yes
Folding Rear Seats
-
Yes
Front Headrest
-
Adjustable
Rear Headrest
-
Adjustable
Front Armrest
-
Centre Armrest
Rear Armrest
-
Yes
Door Map Pockets
-
Yes
Cup Holders
-
4
Interior Colour Options
-
Black
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
7-seat layout with sliding second row (EX+), 10.25-inch touchscreen (EX+), panoramic sunroof (SX), ventilated front seats (SX), digital cluster (SX), full ADAS suite (SX), 6 airbags
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Flagship
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
599995 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current official retail price
Starting Price
699500
599995
Starting Price Zar
699500
599995
Spec
B40 Plus
Carens
Real-world City Mileage Min
-
12.5 l/100km
Real-world City Mileage Max
-
16.2 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
-
19.1 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
-
22.3 l/100km
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and Carens 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: B40 Plus 71 vs Carens 39.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs Carens 72.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs Carens 93.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs Carens 56.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs Carens 54.
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
B40 Plus and Carens 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
Carens leads by 1 points
B40 Plus and Carens are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
B40 Plus +32
Efficiency
Carens +31
Safety
Carens +36
Practicality
B40 Plus +11
Ownership
B40 Plus +8
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Carens
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
72/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
56/100
Ownership
54/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexKIA Carens
leads the specification evidence index with 62 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Carens 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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