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.
Carnival has a modest catalogue-index lead, while B40 Plus remains close.
B40 Plus starts ZAR 350,495 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · Carnival from ZAR 1,049,995
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
Carnival
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Carnival148 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Carnival440 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
Carnival2151 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
Carnival13.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
Carnival175 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
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
Carnival
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published ownership cover
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
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
Carnival
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published warranty or service cover
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
B40 Plus
Carnival
Model Introduced Year
2021
2021
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 (KA4); global launch 2020, SA 2021
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.
Fourth generation (KA4) launched SA 2021; 2023 updated specification
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2023
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
-
Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Color Note
-
Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, Steel Grey, Gravity Blue, Glacial White Pearl
Tare Mass Kg
-
2110 kg
Spec
B40 Plus
Carnival
Length
4630 mm
5155 mm
Width
1925 mm
1995 mm
Height
1871 mm
1775 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
3090 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
172 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
72 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
145 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
2110 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
2750 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
700 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
11 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
3 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
12.1 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
955 mm
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1040 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
855 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
Carnival
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
2.2-litre Turbocharged Diesel
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
D4HB
Fuel Type
Petrol
Diesel
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
2151 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
15.4:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
85.4 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
94 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
148 kW @ 3800 rpm
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
440 Nm @ 1750 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
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
185 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
10.0 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
70.1 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
208.5 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
Carnival
Gearbox
8AT
8-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
No
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
3.63
Number of Gears
8
8
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Automatic Transmission
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque Converter
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
No
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
8-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
8
Engine Position
-
Front Transverse
Steering Turns Lock to Lock
-
15.2:1
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
Carnival
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
13.9 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
11.1 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
16.9 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
72 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
13.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
72
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
Carnival
Airbags
2
7
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
Yes
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
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
7
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
7
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
Carnival
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
-
No
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
Carnival
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 Power
Seat Trim
Leather
Leather
Front Shoulder Room
-
1405 mm
Rear Shoulder Room
-
1350 mm
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 Power
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
-
8
Interior Colour Options
-
Black
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
Power sliding rear doors, business-class second-row captain's chairs, rear entertainment screens (SX), 12.3+12.3-inch curved display, wireless CarPlay, surround-view camera (SX), power-fold third row (SX)
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Top
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
1299995 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current listed price
Starting Price
699500
1299995
Starting Price Zar
699500
1299995
Spec
B40 Plus
Carnival
Real-world City Mileage Min
-
9.4 l/100km
Real-world City Mileage Max
-
12.2 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Min
-
15.3 l/100km
Real-world Highway Mileage Max
-
17.8 l/100km
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and Carnival 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 Carnival 67.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs Carnival 55.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs Carnival 100.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs Carnival 58.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs Carnival 71.
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 Carnival 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
Carnival leads by 10 points
Carnival has a modest catalogue-index lead, while B40 Plus remains close.
Performance
B40 Plus +4
Efficiency
Carnival +14
Safety
Carnival +43
Practicality
B40 Plus +9
Ownership
Carnival +9
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
Carnival
Performance
67/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
100/100
Practicality
58/100
Ownership
71/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexKIA Carnival
leads the specification evidence index with 71 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, Carnival 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.
Compare
Request dealer offers
Let's discuss your next car
Share your interest so Hagalu can follow up about quotations and available discounts. The dealer confirms stock, price and terms.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
Your enquiry has reached Hagalu for follow-up. Any dealer offer will be confirmed separately by the seller.