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 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Celerio remains close.
Celerio starts ZAR 510,600 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · Celerio from ZAR 188,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
Celerio
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Celerio49 kW
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Celerio89 Nm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
Celerio998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
Celerio18.2 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
Celerio0 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)
Specification evidence leader
B40 Plus
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Celerio
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
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
Celerio
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
Celerio
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.
Current market generation
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 market specification
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Hatchback
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Off-road SUV
Hatchback
Vehicle Type
SUV
Hatchback
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Length
4630 mm
3695 mm
Width
1925 mm
1655 mm
Height
1871 mm
1555 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2435 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
150 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
32 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
295 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
825 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
1260 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
435 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.2 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
950 mm
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
900 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
1.0-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
K10C
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
998 cc
Cylinders
4
3
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
12
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Multi-point fuel injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
12.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
73.0 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
85.0 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
49 kW
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
89 Nm
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
5-Speed AMT
Top Speed
180 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
12.0 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
18.0 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
59.4 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
107.9 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
Celerio
Gearbox
8AT
5-speed automated manual
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
2WD
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
4.3
Number of Gears
8
5
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
5-speed automated manual
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Dry single-plate clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Floor-mounted selector
Drivetrain
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
2WD
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
No
Gearbox Type
Automatic
5-speed automated manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front and rear drive
Front driven axle
Rear Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock
No
Transmission Speeds
8
5
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
18.2 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
16.0 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
19.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
32 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 6 equivalent
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
18.2 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
32
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
700
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
650 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
600 km
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Standard
Not Applicable
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
No
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
Not Applicable
Alarm System
Standard
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
No
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
No
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Not Applicable
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Yes
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
No
ABS EBD
Standard
Not Applicable
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Cruise Control
Standard
Cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Lane Keep Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Lane Departure Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Seat Material
Leather
Fabric upholstery
Heated Seats
No
No
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
No
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Urethane
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual adjustment
Seat Trim
Leather
Fabric upholstery
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic
Manual air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Yes
Keyless Entry
Standard
Yes
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Sunroof
Standard
No
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Applicable
Boot Space Seats Folded
965 l
-
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic
Manual air conditioning
Fuel Consumption Combined
11.1 L/100 km
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Celerio
Infotainment System
10.25-inch central infotainment system
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Not Officially Disclosed
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster
Analogue instrument cluster with multi-information display
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Suzuki ownership programme
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
250000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Hagalu Research Team price estimate
Starting Price
699500
250000
Starting Price Zar
699500
250000
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and Celerio 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 Celerio 20.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs Celerio 69.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs Celerio 67.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs Celerio 43.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs Celerio 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.
Model imagery
B40 Plus and Celerio 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
B40 Plus leads by 13 points
B40 Plus has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Celerio remains close.
Performance
B40 Plus +51
Efficiency
Celerio +28
Safety
Celerio +10
Practicality
B40 Plus +24
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
Celerio
Performance
20/100
Efficiency
69/100
Safety
67/100
Practicality
43/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC B40 Plus
leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts
vs 48 pts for Celerio
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, B40 Plus leads. However, Celerio 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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