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 Volkswagen Vivo Xpress: the short answer
B40 Plus has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Vivo Xpress remains close.
Vivo Xpress starts ZAR 419,510 cheaperB40 Plus from ZAR 699,500 · Vivo Xpress from ZAR 279,990
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Maximum Power
B40 Plus165 kW @ 5500 rpm
Vivo Xpress63 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
B40 Plus380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
Vivo Xpress132 Nm @ 3750 rpm
Engine Size
B40 Plus1998 cc
Vivo Xpress1398 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B40 Plus9.0 km/l
Vivo Xpress16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance
B40 Plus210 mm
Vivo Xpress143 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 listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Vivo Xpress
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
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 more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Vivo Xpress
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
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.
Second-generation Polo Vivo-derived two-seat city panel van
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 locally built Vivo Xpress launched in South Africa in February 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2025
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
Panel Van
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Off-road SUV
A0 City Van
Vehicle Type
SUV
Light Commercial Vehicle
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Length
4630 mm
3972 mm
Width
1925 mm
1682 mm
Height
1871 mm
1462 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
2470 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
143 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
45 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
952 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1063 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
1530 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
490 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
953 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
2 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
1 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.3 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
1004 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
Not Applicable
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1042 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Applicable
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
1.4-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
CLPA
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
1398 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Electronic Fuel Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
10.5:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
76.5 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
75.6 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
63 kW @ 5000 rpm
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
132 Nm @ 3750 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
5-Speed Manual
Top Speed
180 km/h
177 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
12.2 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
59.3 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
180.1 Nm/tonne
124.2 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
Vivo Xpress
Gearbox
8AT
5-speed manual
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
Front-engine front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
Electronic Differential Lock
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
3.882:1
Number of Gears
8
5
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Manual
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Single dry-plate clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
Electronic Differential Lock
Gearbox Type
Automatic
5-speed 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
5
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
16.9 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
12.7 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
20.8 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
45 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 4
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
16.9 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
45
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
Vivo Xpress
Airbags
2
2
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
ASR
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard on rear side doors
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Not Applicable
Brake Assist
Standard
Not Available
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Electronic immobiliser
Alarm System
Standard
-
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
BA
Standard
Not Available
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Available
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Electronic immobiliser
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
ASR
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Rear View Camera
Yes
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Manual intermittent wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
Reverse Camera
Yes
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Seat Material
Leather
Fabric
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Polyurethane
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Not Applicable
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual standard front seat
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
Manual standard front seat
Seat Trim
Leather
Iceberg cloth
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Climate Control
Dual-zone automatic
Manually controlled air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Front power windows
Keyless Entry
Standard
Remote keyless entry
Push Button Start
Standard
Not Available
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Manual intermittent wipers
Boot Space Seats Folded
965 l
-
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic
Manually controlled air conditioning
Fuel Consumption Combined
11.1 L/100 km
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Infotainment System
10.25-inch central infotainment system
9-inch Mirgor radio
Apple CarPlay
Not Officially Disclosed
App-Connect
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster
Analogue instrument cluster with multifunction display
Pure White; Ascot Grey; Wild Cherry Red Metallic; Smokey Grey Metallic; Reflex Silver Metallic; Reef Blue Metallic
Headlights
Standard
Not Available
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Approach Angle
37 deg
13.5 deg
Departure Angle
31 deg
19.4 deg
Wading Depth
600 mm
Not Available
Terrain Modes
Snow, Sport, Comfort, Eco
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Rear axle electronic differential lock
Electronic Differential Lock
4WD System Type
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
23 deg
11.1 deg
Wading Depth Mm
600 mm
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Tyre Size
265/65 R17
175/70 R14 84T
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Drum
Spare Wheel Type
Full-size spare
Full-size spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
14-inch steel
Tyre Type
All-Terrain
-
Auto Brake Hold
Yes
-
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Manual handbrake
Towing Unbraked Kg
750 kg
-
Wheel Material
Lightweight dual-tone alloy
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Front Suspension
Double wishbone independent front suspension
Suspension struts and wishbones
Rear Suspension
Five-link non-independent rear suspension
Suspension struts toe-correcting torsion beam and trailing-arm axle
Chassis Type
Body-on-frame
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Service Interval
15000 km
-
Service Plan Duration
4 years / 60000 km
Optional Volkswagen EasyDrive Service Plan or Maintenance Plan
Service Plan Distance
4 years / 60000 km
Optional Volkswagen EasyDrive Service Plan or Maintenance Plan
Service Plan
4 years / 60000 km
Optional Volkswagen EasyDrive Service Plan or Maintenance Plan
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Warranty Years
5 years / 120000 km
3 years / 120 000 km; engine 5 years / 150 000 km; anti-corrosion 6 years
Warranty Kilometers
5 years / 120000 km
3 years / 120 000 km; engine 5 years / 150 000 km; anti-corrosion 6 years
Warranty
5 years / 120000 km
3 years / 120 000 km; engine 5 years / 150 000 km; anti-corrosion 6 years
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
140 g/km
Fuel Octane Requirement
92 RON or higher petrol
-
Spec
B40 Plus
Vivo Xpress
Ownership Role
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Locally built two-seat urban delivery vehicle
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
279990 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current South African retail price including VAT and emissions tax
Starting Price
699500
279990
Starting Price Zar
699500
279990
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and Vivo Xpress 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 Vivo Xpress 30.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs Vivo Xpress 65.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs Vivo Xpress 47.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs Vivo Xpress 55.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs Vivo Xpress 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 Vivo Xpress 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 Vivo Xpress remains close.
Performance
B40 Plus +41
Efficiency
Vivo Xpress +24
Safety
B40 Plus +10
Practicality
B40 Plus +12
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
Vivo Xpress
Performance
30/100
Efficiency
65/100
Safety
47/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC B40 Plus
leads the specification evidence index with 61 pts
vs 48 pts for Vivo Xpress
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, B40 Plus leads. However, Vivo Xpress 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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