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.
ES has a modest catalogue-index lead, while B40 Plus remains close.
B40 Plus starts ZAR 152,000 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · ES from ZAR 851,500
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
ES
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
ES160 kW @ 5700 rpm
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
ES221 Nm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
ES2500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
ES21.7 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
ES158 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
ES
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
ES
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
ES
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.
Current seventh-generation Lexus ES executive sedan
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 South African ES range; the next-generation local range has not yet received final derivative confirmation
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Current South African ES range; the next-generation local range has not yet received final derivative confirmation
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current South African specification checked 2026-07-17
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Sedan
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
published
Segment
Off-road SUV
Executive sedan
Vehicle Type
SUV
Sedan
Tare Mass Kg
-
1740 kg
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Length
4630 mm
4975 mm
Width
1925 mm
1865 mm
Height
1871 mm
1445 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2870 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
158 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
-
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
50 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
454 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1740 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
2150 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
410 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
-
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
-
Doors
5 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.9 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
-
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
-
Front Legroom
1045 mm
-
Rear Legroom
900 mm
-
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
2.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Petrol
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
2500 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Petrol Hybrid EFI+D-4S
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
160 kW @ 5700 rpm
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
221 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
4WD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
e-CVT
Top Speed
180 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
8.9 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Not Officially Disclosed
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Gearbox
8AT
ECVT
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
FWD
LSD Available
No
-
Transfer Case
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
-
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Number of Gears
8
Not Applicable
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
ECVT
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
-
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
Standard
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
ECVT
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
Not Applicable
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
21.7 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
17.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
25.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
50 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
-
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
21.7 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
50
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
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Airbags
2
Side,Knee,Curtain,Driver,Passenger
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard,,
Hill Descent Control
Standard
-
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard Rear door
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard 2
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Alarm System
Standard
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Front + Rear/ Buzzer
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
-
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
ELR,Pretensioner,Force Limiter,Tension Reducer -
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Front + Rear/ Buzzer
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard,,
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Horn/ Intrusion Sensor
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard Adaptive,All Speed
Lane Keep Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard Steering Vibration,Lane Trace Assist
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard With Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
Rear View Camera
Yes
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Display Audio// Panoramic View Monitor
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
-
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Rainsensing,Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard Intelligent Clearance Sonar,Rear Cross Traffic Alert + Braking
White Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black GF, Opulent Blue, Sonic Chrome, Sonic Iridium
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Approach Angle
37 deg
-
Departure Angle
31 deg
-
Wading Depth
600 mm
-
Terrain Modes
Snow, Sport, Comfort, Eco
-
Locking Differential
Rear axle electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
23 deg
-
Wading Depth Mm
600 mm
-
Ground Clearance Max
-
158 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
158 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Tyre Size
265/65 R17
F:235-45R18 Alloy / R:235-45R18 Alloy
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size spare
Space Saver T155-70D17:ST
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
18
Tyre Type
All-Terrain
-
Auto Brake Hold
Yes
-
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Electric
Towing Unbraked Kg
750 kg
-
Wheel Material
Lightweight dual-tone alloy
-
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Front Suspension
Double wishbone independent front suspension
MacPherson - Strut
Rear Suspension
Five-link non-independent rear suspension
Wishbone - Trailing
Chassis Type
Body-on-frame
-
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Service Interval
15000 km
12 months / 15,000km
Service Plan Duration
4 years / 60000 km
-
Service Plan Distance
4 years / 60000 km
-
Service Plan
4 years / 60000 km
-
Battery Warranty
-
8 years / 195,000km
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Warranty Years
5 years / 120000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Warranty Kilometers
5 years / 120000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Warranty
5 years / 120000 km
7 years / 105,000km
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
104 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
92 RON or higher petrol
-
Spec
B40 Plus
ES
Ownership Role
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Private luxury, family and business
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
1138800 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Top
Starting Price
699500
1138800
Starting Price Zar
699500
1138800
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and ES 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 ES 58.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs ES 85.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs ES 93.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs ES 62.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs ES 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 ES 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
ES leads by 12 points
ES has a modest catalogue-index lead, while B40 Plus remains close.
Performance
B40 Plus +13
Efficiency
ES +44
Safety
ES +36
Practicality
B40 Plus +5
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
ES
Performance
58/100
Efficiency
85/100
Safety
93/100
Practicality
62/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexLexus ES
leads the specification evidence index with 73 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ES 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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