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 i20 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
i20 starts ZAR 402,600 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · i20 from ZAR 296,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
i20
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
i2074 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
i20172 Nm @ 1500 rpm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
i20998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
i2014.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
i20195 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
Lower published ownership cover
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
i20
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
i20
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
i20
Model Introduced Year
2021
2008
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.
Third generation i20 on the K2 platform; sold in SA with 1.0T three-cylinder turbo across all variants
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.
Third generation launched globally in 2020 and arrived in SA shortly after; significant improvement over the second gen in styling, tech, and driving dynamics
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2020
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
Color Note
-
White, Black, Silver, Blue, Red, Yellow
Dealer Stock Note
-
Fluid grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg
-
1135 kg
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Length
4630 mm
4040 mm
Width
1925 mm
1775 mm
Height
1871 mm
1505 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2580 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
195 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
40 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
352 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1135 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
1610 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
475 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1045 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
1-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
G3LE
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
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
10.0:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
74 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
172 Nm @ 1500 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 Manual
Top Speed
180 km/h
185 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
11.0 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Eco, Normal
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
65.2 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
151.5 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
i20
Gearbox
8AT
iMT 6-speed Intelligent Manual
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
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
8
7
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Manual
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
iMT 6-speed Intelligent Manual
Drivetrain
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Front-Wheel Drive
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
iMT 6-speed Intelligent Manual
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front and rear drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Rear Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
7
Engine Position
-
Front
Differential Type Front
-
Not Available
Differential Type Rear
-
Not Available
Transfer Case Guard
-
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
14.5 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
11.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
17.1 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
40 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
14.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
40
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
Distance To Empty
-
Yes
Low Fuel Warning
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
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
Front & Rear
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
No
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Available
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
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Central Locking
-
Yes
Speed Alert System
-
Yes
Safety Rating
-
Not Rated (SA)
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Yes
Anti Theft Alarm
-
Yes
Driver Front Passenger Airbags
-
6
Driver Passenger Airbags
-
6
ESC With Traction Control
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
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
Front & Rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Front & Rear
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Lights
-
Yes
Eco Mode
-
Yes
EV Mode
-
No
Sport Mode
-
No
Emergency Braking
-
No
Parking Distance Sensors
-
Front & Rear
Parking Sensor
-
Front & Rear
Pre-Collision System
-
Yes
Rain Sensor Wipers
-
No
Rear View Camera
-
Yes
Reverse Camera Type
-
Yes
Reversing Camera
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Seat Material
Leather
Leather-Look
Heated Seats
No
Front
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual
Seat Trim
Leather
Leather-Look
Seat Adjustment
-
Manual
Steering Type
-
Electric
Steering Adjustment
-
Tilt & Telescopic
Folding Rear Seats
-
60/40 Split
Front Armrest
-
Yes
Rear Armrest
-
No
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Applicable
Cup Holders
-
4
Rear AC Vents
-
No
Rear USB Ports
-
2 USB-A + 1 USB-C
Instrument Cluster Type
-
Analogue + MID
Interior Colour Options
-
Black
Door Map Pockets
-
Yes
Adjustable Driver Seat
-
Manual
Adjustable Front Seat
-
Manual
Cooled Seats
-
No
Fabric Seats
-
Yes
Front Headrest
-
Yes
Leather Seats
-
No
Memory Seats
-
No
Rear Headrest
-
Yes
Armrest Front
-
Yes
Armrest Rear
-
No
Boot Space Seats Down
-
1165
Driver Seat
-
Manual
Interior Courtesy Lamps
-
8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on Fluid, digital instrument cluster, sporty flat-bottom steering wheel, quality-feeling interior
Polar White, Aurora Grey, Phantom Black, Fiery Red
Headlights
Standard
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Sunroof
Rear Spoiler
-
Yes
Roof Type
-
Sunroof
Wing Mirror Type
-
Power Adjustable
Rear Wiper
-
Yes
Door Handle Finish
-
Body Coloured
Body Type
-
Hatchback
DRL
LED
LED
Fog Lights
-
Yes
Front Fog Lights
-
Yes
Led Headlights
Standard
Yes
Led Taillights
-
Yes
Auto Headlights
-
Yes
Automatic Headlamps
-
Yes
Daytime Running Lights
LED
LED
Electric Blind Sunroof
-
Sunroof
Exterior Colour Options
-
6
Exterior Door Handle Colour
-
Body Coloured
Exterior Mirror Electric
-
Yes
Exterior Mirror Folding
-
Power Adjustable
Front Fog Lamps
Yes
Yes
Headlamp Levelling
-
Yes
Headlamps
Standard
Yes
Headlight Type
Standard
Yes
Load Bed Liner
-
Not Available
Active Exhaust
-
Not Available
Rear Spoiler
-
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Approach Angle
37 deg
-
Departure Angle
31 deg
-
Wading Depth
600 mm
-
Terrain Modes
Snow, Sport, Comfort, Eco
Not Available
Locking Differential
Rear axle electronic differential lock
No
4WD System Type
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
23 deg
20 deg
Wading Depth Mm
600 mm
-
Underbody Protection
-
Not Available
Ramp Breakover Angle
-
20 deg
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Ramp-over Angle
-
20 deg
Approach Angle Deg
-
-
Departure Angle Deg
-
-
Energy Recovery Display
-
Not Available
Front Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
195 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
195 mm
Off Road Descent Control
-
Not Available
Off Road Traction Assist
-
Not Available
Crawl Control
-
Not Available
Rear Skid Plate Guard
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Fuel Tank
-
Not Available
Skid Plates Transfer Case
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Mud
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Normal
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Rock
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Sand
-
Not Available
Terrain Mode Snow
-
Not Available
Terrain Response System
-
Not Available
Underbody Camera
-
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Tyre Size
265/65 R17
205/45 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size spare
Spare Wheel
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
16
Tyre Type
All-Terrain
Tubeless Radial
Auto Brake Hold
Yes
Manual
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Manual
Towing Unbraked Kg
750 kg
-
Wheel Material
Lightweight dual-tone alloy
17-inch Alloy
Wheel Type
Lightweight dual-tone alloy
17-inch Alloy
Front Brake Disc Diameter
-
256 mm
Rear Brake Drum Diameter
-
262 mm
Parking Brake Type
-
Manual
Tyre Load Index
-
91
Tyre Speed Rating
-
H
Brake Type Front
-
Disc (Ventilated)
Brake Type Rear
-
Disc
Spare Tyre
Full-size spare
Spare Wheel
Wheel Diameter
17-inch
16
Autonomous Emergency Brake
-
No
Brakes
-
Disc
Cornering Brake Control
-
Yes
Electric Park Brake
-
Manual
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
-
Yes
Fifth Wheel Prep
-
Not Available
Hydraulic Brake Assist
-
Yes
Leather Steering Wheel
-
Leather
Spare Wheel Size Type
-
Spare Wheel
Steering Wheel Audio Controls
-
Yes
Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
-
Yes
Steering Wheel Phone Controls
-
Yes
Steering Wheel Trim
-
Leather
Tyre Pressure Display
-
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Wheel Size Type
-
16
Wheels
Lightweight dual-tone alloy
17-inch Alloy
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Front Suspension
Double wishbone independent front suspension
MacPherson Strut
Rear Suspension
Five-link non-independent rear suspension
Torsion Beam
Chassis Type
Body-on-frame
Monocoque
Front Track Width
-
1551 mm
Rear Track Width
-
1565 mm
Power Steering
-
Electric
Steering Column
-
Tilt
Front Spring Type
-
Coil
Rear Spring Type
-
Coil
Chassis Material
-
Monocoque
Front Suspension Type
Double wishbone independent front suspension
MacPherson Strut
MagneRide Damping
-
Not Available
Rear Axle Type
-
Torsion Beam
Rear Suspension Type
Five-link non-independent rear suspension
Torsion Beam
Suspension
-
MacPherson Strut
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Service Interval
15000 km
15000 km / 12 months
Service Plan Duration
4 years / 60000 km
3 Years / 45000 km
Service Plan Distance
4 years / 60000 km
3 Years / 45000 km
Service Plan
4 years / 60000 km
3 Years / 45000 km
Battery Warranty
-
4
Maintenance Plan
-
3 Years / 45000 km
Engine Oil Capacity
-
3.6 l
Engine Oil Change Interval
-
15000
First Service At
-
15000
Alternator
-
120A
Service Intervals
-
15000 km / 12 months
Accessory Battery Type
-
Lead-acid
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Warranty Years
5 years / 120000 km
5
Warranty Kilometers
5 years / 120000 km
5
Warranty
5 years / 120000 km
5
Roadside Assistance
-
5 Years
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
-
5 Years
Basic Warranty
5 years / 120000 km
5
Roadside Assistance
-
5 Years
Warranty Roadside Assistance
-
5 Years
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
110 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
92 RON or higher petrol
Unleaded 95
Start Stop System
-
No
Hybrid System Type
-
Not Available
Variable Valve Timing
-
Yes
Particulate Filter
-
Not Available
Euro Emission Standard
-
Euro 6
Idle CO2 Output
-
110
Fuel Evaporation Control
-
Yes
CO2 Emissions G Km
-
110
Spec
B40 Plus
i20
Ownership Role
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Fluid
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
328900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current listed price
Starting Price
699500
328900
Starting Price Zar
699500
328900
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and i20 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 i20 37.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs i20 59.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs i20 84.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs i20 61.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs i20 65.
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 i20 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 0 points
B40 Plus and i20 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
B40 Plus +34
Efficiency
i20 +18
Safety
i20 +27
Practicality
B40 Plus +6
Ownership
i20 +3
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
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
i20
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
59/100
Safety
84/100
Practicality
61/100
Ownership
65/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC B40 Plus
leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts
vs 61 pts for i20
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, B40 Plus leads. However, i20 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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