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.
Compare the available model information below. Hagalu has withheld a ranked verdict because the selected vehicles do not yet meet the minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold.
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
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Specification
B81
J7 SHS
Maximum Power
B81138 kW
J7 SHS255 kW @ 5500 rpm
Maximum Torque
B81-
J7 SHS525 Nm
Engine Size
B811498 cc
J7 SHS1500 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
B81-
J7 SHS100.0 km/l
Ground Clearance
B81235 mm
J7 SHS174 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
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Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Generation
Global BAIC B81 preview also identified in the supplied technical brief as Beijing 81VJ; final South African derivative matrix pending
Current South Africa J7 SHS range
Body Style
5-door SUV
SUV
Model Year
-
2026
Production Status
upcoming
active
Segment
Mid-to-large SUV
SUV
Vehicle Type
Mid-to-large SUV
SUV
Model Introduced Year
-
2025
Facelift History
-
Current South Africa version listed by official source
Facelift Launched Since
-
2025
Facelift Version Ending
-
Current
Tare Mass Kg
-
Not Available
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Length
4845 mm
4500 mm
Width
2050 mm
1865 mm
Height
1980 mm
1670 mm
Wheelbase
2810 mm
2672 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
235 mm
174 mm
Seating Capacity
6 seats
5 seats
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
-
170 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
-
60 l
Boot/Cargo Space
-
500 l
Kerb Weight
-
1795 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
-
2210 kg
Payload Capacity
-
420 kg
Towing Capacity
-
1300 kg
Number of Rows
-
2 rows
Doors
-
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
-
5.4 m
Front Headroom
-
1010 mm
Rear Headroom
-
975 mm
Front Legroom
-
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
-
910 mm
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Front Track Width
1724 mm
Not Available
Rear Track Width
1724 mm
Not Available
Front Suspension
-
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
-
Multi-link
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Engine
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol range extender with dual electric motors
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Code
A156T2H
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
Hybrid System
Series Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid
Engine Displacement
1498 cc
1500 cc
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Maximum Power
138 kW
255 kW @ 5500 rpm
Combined Power
403 kW
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Type
Dual electric motors
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Motors
2
Not Officially Disclosed
Motor Location
Front + Rear
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Type
4WD
FWD
Top Speed
170 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
49.4 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Ternary lithium-ion
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
145 km (WLTC)
90 km (WLTP)
Cylinders
-
4
Cylinder Layout
-
Inline
Valves
-
16
Valves per Cylinder
-
4
Fuel System
-
Petrol injection
Compression Ratio
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Torque
-
525 Nm
Combined Torque
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission
-
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
-
Eco, Normal, Sport
Launch Control
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Usable Battery Capacity
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Voltage
-
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Power
-
6.6 kW
DC Charging Power
-
40 kW
AC Charging Time
-
160 min
DC Charging Time
-
20 min
Regenerative Braking
-
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Drivetrain Layout
4WD
FWD
Differential Lock
Front; Centre; Rear
Not Applicable
Drivetrain
Electric 4WD
FWD
Gearbox
-
DHT
LSD Available
-
Not Applicable
Transfer Case
-
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
-
Standard
Final Drive Ratio
-
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
-
Hybrid DHT
Transmission Type
-
Automatic
Clutch Type
-
Automatic clutch
Gear Shift Indicator
-
Standard
Gear Shift Type
-
Electric
4WD Engagement
-
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
-
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
-
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
-
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
-
Standard
Front Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
-
DHT
Low Range Ratio
-
Not Applicable
Low Range
-
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
-
FWD
Rear Differential Lock
-
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
-
Hybrid DHT
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Seat Material
Nappa leather + Alcantara
Leatherette / leather
Heated Seats
-
Standard
Ventilated Seats
-
Standard
Ambient Lighting
-
Standard
Front Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Rear Shoulder Room
-
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
-
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
-
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
-
Power
Passenger Seat Adjustment
-
Power
Seat Trim
-
Leatherette / leather
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch
Standard
Head Up Display
AR-HUD
-
Infotainment Screen
15.3-inch
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Voice Control
Four-zone voice recognition
-
Infotainment System
-
Touchscreen infotainment
Apple CarPlay
-
Standard
Android Auto
-
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
-
Standard
Number of Speakers
-
8
USB Ports
-
Front and rear USB where listed
Touchscreen
15.3-inch
10.25-inch or larger by trim
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Roof Rails
Yes
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
OG107 Military Green; Matte Black; Polar White
Khaki white, carbon crystal black, model green, olive grey, moonlight silver and two-tone colours where listed.
LED Headlamps
-
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
-
Standard
Fog Lamps
-
Standard
Headlights
-
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
-
Standard
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Approach Angle
39 deg
Not Available
Departure Angle
33 deg
Not Available
Wading Depth
1300 mm
Not Available
4WD System Type
Part-time 4WD
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
-
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
-
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
-
Not Available
Ground Clearance Max
-
174 mm
Ground Clearance Min
-
174 mm
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Front Brake Type
6-piston performance brake calipers
Ventilated Disc
Rear Brake Type
4-piston performance brake calipers
Disc
Wheel Rim Size
22-inch
235/50 R19
Tyre Type
All-terrain
-
Tyre Size
-
235/50 R19
Spare Wheel Type
-
Not Available
Handbrake Type
-
Electronic parking brake
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Side Steps
Yes
-
Load Bed Length
-
Not Applicable
Load Bed Width
-
Not Applicable
Climate Control
-
Automatic
Power Windows
-
Standard
Keyless Entry
-
Standard
Push Button Start
-
Standard
Wireless Charging
-
Standard
Sunroof
-
Standard
Electric Tailgate
-
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
-
Standard
Boot Space Seats Folded
-
Not Available
AC Type
-
Automatic
Loadbox Length Mm
-
Not Applicable
Loadbox Width Mm
-
Not Applicable
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Ownership Role
Global upcoming off-road SUV preview; South African launch and ownership terms not announced
range-specific
Pricing Role
Announced price not publicly listed
range-specific
Price Zar
-
689900 ZAR
Starting Price
-
689900
Starting Price Zar
-
689900
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Claimed Mileage
-
100.0 km/l
City Mileage
-
17.4 km/l
Highway Mileage
-
23.0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
-
60 l
Emission Standard
-
Euro VIb
AdBlue Tank Capacity
-
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
-
Standard
Real-world Mileage
-
100.0 km/l
Charging Port Type
-
Plug-in hybrid AC/DC
Charging Type
-
AC/DC
Fuel Tank Litres
-
60
Combined Driving Range
-
1200
Electric Consumption
-
18.7
Range Real World Highway
-
Not Available
Range Real World Mixed
-
1200 km
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Airbags
-
Multiple airbags
ABS
-
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
-
Standard
Traction Control
-
Standard
Hill Descent Control
-
Standard
Hill Start Assist
-
Standard
Child Safety Lock
-
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
-
Standard
Brake Assist
-
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
-
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
-
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
-
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
-
Standard
AEB
-
Standard
BA
-
Standard
Brake Override System
-
Standard
Curtain Airbags
-
Standard
Driver Airbag
-
Standard
EBD
-
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
-
Standard
Hill Hold
-
Standard
Passenger Airbag
-
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
-
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
-
Standard
Side Airbags
-
Standard
Stability Control
-
Standard
TCS
-
Standard
Knee Airbag
-
Standard
ABS EBD
-
Standard
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Cruise Control
-
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
-
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
-
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
-
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
-
Standard
Parking Sensors
-
Standard
Rear View Camera
-
Standard
360 Degree Camera
-
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
-
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
-
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
-
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
-
Standard
Auto Wipers
-
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
-
Standard
Reverse Camera
-
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
-
Standard
Park Assist
-
Not Available
Around View Monitor
-
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
-
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
-
Standard
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
CO2 Emissions
-
Not Available
Fuel Octane Requirement
-
Petrol
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Service Plan
-
5 Year / 75 000 km
Spec
B81
J7 SHS
Warranty
-
7 Year / 200 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This B81 and J7 SHS comparison brings together local model information and available derivatives for South Africa. Prices and specifications appear only where they have been recorded for this market.
Hagalu has withheld an overall score because at least one selected vehicle does not yet have four comparable categories and 50% weighted source coverage. Missing catalogue evidence is not replaced with a neutral score or a guessed value.
Use the key-spec and full-spec tables to compare the fields that are confirmed. For a purchase decision, verify current availability, exact derivative equipment, finance, insurance and ownership cover with the relevant manufacturer or authorised retailer.
Model imagery
B81 and J7 SHS image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
Hagalu does not turn missing specifications into neutral scores or guessed values.
Fail closed
Score withheld: fewer than four comparable categories or less than 50% weighted source coverage for at least one vehicle.
Use the verified key-spec and full-spec tables on this page. A ranked index will appear only after every selected vehicle has source-backed data in at least four categories and reaches 50% weighted coverage.
What the evidence means
No overall winner is declared because the selected vehicles do not yet meet Hagalu's minimum like-for-like source-coverage threshold. Compare the confirmed rows and verify the exact derivative before buying.
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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