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.
BAIC B40 Plus vs Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupé: the short answer
CLA Coupé has a modest catalogue-index lead, while B40 Plus remains close.
B40 Plus starts ZAR 193,468 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · CLA Coupé from ZAR 892,968
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
CLA Coupé120 kW
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
CLA Coupé270 Nm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
CLA Coupé1332 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
CLA Coupé16.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
CLA Coupé135 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
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
CLA Coupé
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
CLA Coupé
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
CLA Coupé
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 South African CLA Coupé generation represented by derivative CLA 200
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-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Coupe
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
Current South African retail range
Segment
Off-road SUV
Premium coupé
Vehicle Type
SUV
Coupé
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Length
4630 mm
4695 mm
Width
1925 mm
1830 mm
Height
1871 mm
1430 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2729 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
135 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
43 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
460 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1580 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
2000 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
550 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
2000 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.55 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
960 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
960 mm
Front Legroom
1045 mm
900 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
900 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
1332/L4
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
M282
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
48V Mild Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
1332 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
10.6:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
72.2 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
81.4 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
120 kW
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
270 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
120 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
270 Nm
Motor Type
Not Applicable
48 V integrated starter-generator
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Integrated with transmission / rear axle depending on hybrid system
Drive Type
4WD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed DCT
Top Speed
180 km/h
229 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
8.4 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
15.0 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
6500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Not Applicable
0
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
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
No
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Gearbox
8AT
8-Speed DCT
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
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Number of Gears
8
8
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
8-Speed DCT
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Dual-clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic with manual shift mode
Drivetrain
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
No
4WD Hi Range
Standard
0
4WD Lo Range
Yes
0
4WD Selector
Electronic 4WD transfer case
No
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
No
Gearbox Type
Automatic
8-Speed DCT
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
0
Low Range
Yes
0
Axle Layout
Front and rear drive
Driven axle configuration: FWD
Rear Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock
No
Transmission Speeds
8
8
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
16.7 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
16.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
16.7 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
66 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
0 l
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
16.7 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
66
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
0
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
0
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
0 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
0 km
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Airbags
2
7
ABS
Standard
Yes
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
Ventilated disc brakes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Alarm System
Standard
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated disc brakes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Ventilated disc brakes
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
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive cruise control
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
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated disc brakes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
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
Spec
B40 Plus
CLA Coupé
Seat Material
Leather
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Heated Seats
No
Front heated seats
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Model/option dependent
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
64-colour ambient lighting
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Electric adjustment with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Electric adjustment with memory
Seat Trim
Leather
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
892968 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
699500
1050000
Starting Price Zar
699500
1050000
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and CLA Coupé 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 CLA Coupé 55.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs CLA Coupé 68.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs CLA Coupé 95.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs CLA Coupé 59.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs CLA Coupé 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 CLA Coupé 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
CLA Coupé leads by 8 points
CLA Coupé has a modest catalogue-index lead, while B40 Plus remains close.
Performance
B40 Plus +16
Efficiency
CLA Coupé +27
Safety
CLA Coupé +38
Practicality
B40 Plus +8
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
CLA Coupé
Performance
55/100
Efficiency
68/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
59/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz CLA Coupé
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CLA Coupé 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.