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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
B40 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
X4
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
X4
Model Introduced Year
2021
2018
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.
Five-door coupé-style SUV from the established X4 generation, separate from X3 and without a current full-M derivative.
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 X4 listing retained on BMW’s live range; current exact identities are xDrive20d and M40i.
Facelift Launched Since
2025
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door body-on-frame off-road SUV
SUV
Model Year
2021
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Off-road SUV
Premium SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
Car
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
Length
4630 mm
1 mm
Width
1925 mm
1 mm
Height
1871 mm
1 mm
Wheelbase
2745 mm
1 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
210 mm
140 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
190 mm
125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
50 l
Boot/Cargo Space
532 l
472 l
Kerb Weight
2110 kg
1555 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2535 kg
2060 kg
Payload Capacity
425 kg
452 kg
Towing Capacity
1500 kg
1600 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
5.6 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
992 mm
Rear Headroom
1000 mm
941 mm
Front Legroom
1045 mm
1038 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
883 mm
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
Engine
2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine
BMW turbocharged engine
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
B48
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1998 cc
2998 cc
Cylinders
4
6
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
16
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
4
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Direct injection
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
10.5:1
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
82.0 mm
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
94.6 mm
Maximum Power
165 kW @ 5500 rpm
285 kW
Maximum Torque
380 Nm @ 1750-4500 rpm
500 Nm
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
AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
8-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
180 km/h
250 km/h
0-100 km/h
9.9 sec
4.8 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
7000 rpm
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
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
X4
Gearbox
8AT
8-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
Rear-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
M sport differential
Transfer Case
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Yes
Differential Lock
Rear electronic differential lock; Front optional electronic differential lock
Yes
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Number of Gears
8
8
Transmission Type
8-speed automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic selector
Drivetrain
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
RWD
4WD Engagement
Electronic time-sharing 4WD
Electronically controlled AWD
4WD Hi Range
Standard
Yes
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Yes
4WD Selector
Electronic 4WD transfer case
Yes
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Front Differential Lock
Optional electronic differential lock
Yes
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Low Range
Yes
Yes
Axle Layout
Front and rear drive
Yes
Rear Differential Lock
Electronic differential lock
Yes
Transmission Speeds
8
8
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
Claimed Mileage
9.0 km/l
12.5 km/l
City Mileage
7.6 km/l
10.5 km/l
Highway Mileage
10.6 km/l
15.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
75 l
1 l
Emission Standard
Euro IV
Euro 6
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Real-world Mileage
9.0 km/l
12.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
75
1
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
360 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
420 km
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
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
Yes
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
X4
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
Yes
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
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
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
Seat Material
Leather
Leather 'Vernasca' Black with decorative stitching
Heated Seats
No
Front
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Ambient Lighting
Monochrome
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Steering wheel M Leather
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
M Sport Seats
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
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
Yes
Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Yes
Boot Space Seats Folded
965 l
-
AC Type
Dual-zone automatic
Standard
Fuel Consumption Combined
11.1 L/100 km
-
Spec
B40 Plus
X4
Infotainment System
10.25-inch central infotainment system
Yes
Apple CarPlay
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3-inch LCD instrument cluster
BMW Live Cockpit Professional (includes head-up display)
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Private, business and fleet
Price Zar
699500 ZAR
1600000 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current recommended retail price
Starting Price
699500
1600000
Starting Price Zar
699500
1600000
In depth: how these cars differ
This B40 Plus and X4 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 X4 97.
Efficiency index: B40 Plus 41 vs X4 57.
Safety-equipment index: B40 Plus 57 vs X4 92.
Practicality index: B40 Plus 67 vs X4 60.
Ownership-cover index: B40 Plus 62 vs X4 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 X4 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
X4 leads by 17 points
X4 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over B40 Plus.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
X4
Performance
97/100
Efficiency
57/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
60/100
B40 Plus
Performance
71/100
Efficiency
41/100
Safety
57/100
Practicality
67/100
Ownership
62/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW X4
leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts
vs 61 pts for B40 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X4 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
Get Best Price
We'll Contact You
Fill in your details and a dedicated executive will reach out shortly.
✓
We've Got Your Details!
An executive will contact you shortly. Thank you for your interest.