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.
M60 xDrive Gran CoupéElectricSingle-Speed Reduction GearCurrent
ZAR 1,750,000ex-showroom
⚡ 442 kW🔧 795 Nm
＋Add a 3rd car
Decision summary
BAIC B40 Plus vs BMW i4: the short answer
i4 has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over B40 Plus.
B40 Plus starts ZAR 800,500 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · i4 from ZAR 1,500,000
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
i4
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
i4442 kW
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
i4795 Nm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
i4Not Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
i4Not Applicable
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
i4140 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
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
i4
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
B40 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
i4
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
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
i4
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.
Battery-electric G26 Gran Coupé with four doors, a rear liftback and a road-car seating position.
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 updated G26-based i4 Gran Coupé range in South Africa; current derivative identity is eDrive35 and M60 xDrive.
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Sedan
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Off-road SUV
Premium Sedan
Vehicle Type
SUV
Car
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Length
4630 mm
4783 mm
Width
1925 mm
1852 mm
Height
1871 mm
1448 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2856 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
470 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
2285 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
2730 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
520 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
994 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
944 mm
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1036 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
888 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
BMW eDrive electric drive
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
442 kW
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
795 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
2
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front and rear axles
Drive Type
4WD
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
180 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
3.7 sec
Quarter Mile
17.2 sec
12.2 sec
Drive Modes
Comfort, Eco, Sport, Snow
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
78.2 kW/tonne
100 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
220 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
1 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
64.8 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
400 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
485 km (BMW stated)
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
11 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
130 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
6 h 30 min
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
30 min
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Gearbox
8AT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
All-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Number of Gears
8
1
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
AWD
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
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front and rear drive
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
8
1
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
0 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
CCS Combo
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
75
0
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
485-544 km (BMW stated)
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
16.3–18.3
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
420 km
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Alarm System
Standard
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
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
Standard
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
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
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
i4
Seat Material
Leather
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with contrast stitching Blue
Heated Seats
No
Yes
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Yes
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Electric with driver memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Electric multi-way
Seat Trim
Leather
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
i4
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic
Standard
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Comfort Access
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Sunroof
Standard
Glass sunroof, electric (no sliding-roof function)
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
1750000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
699500
1750000
Starting Price Zar
699500
1750000
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and i4 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 i4 100.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs i4 90.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs i4 92.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs i4 61.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs i4 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 i4 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
i4 leads by 25 points
i4 has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over B40 Plus.
Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
i4
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
61/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW i4
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, i4 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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