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 EfficiencyPublished Practicality
X55 Plus
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Performance
Which One's Right for You?
E5 EM-i
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
X55 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2025
2024
Generation
Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published
Current upgraded X55 Plus generation for South Africa, mechanically based around BAIC's Magic Core 1.5T engine, DCT380 seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive.
Facelift History
No applicable South African facelift history established
The original X55 arrived locally in 2022. BAIC launched the upgraded X55 Plus in August 2024 with revised exterior details, a full-black interior, updated wheel and exhaust treatment, and additional connectivity features.
Facelift Launched Since
Not Applicable
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Not Applicable
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Passenger vehicle
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Length
4740 mm
4620 mm
Width
1905 mm
1886 mm
Height
1685 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2755 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
172 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
53 l
Boot/Cargo Space
528 l
350 l
Kerb Weight
1770 kg
1480 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Not Officially Disclosed
1970 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
490 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
5 seats
Number of Rows
Not Officially Disclosed
2 rows
Doors
Not Officially Disclosed
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Engine
1.5L Naturally Aspirated Petrol + 160 kW Electric Drive
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Engine Code
Not Officially Disclosed
A156T2H
Fuel Type
Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
Plug-in Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
73 kW
138 kW
Maximum Torque
125 Nm
305 Nm
Combined Power
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Not Officially Disclosed
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
170 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
8.1 sec
7.7 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Pure, Hybrid, Power
Eco, Sport, Comfort, Smart
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
18.4 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Battery Type
LFP
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Range
105 km (NEDC)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
30 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
3 h
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
20 min (30-80%)
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Gearbox
Not Officially Disclosed
7DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
FWD
LSD Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
Not Officially Disclosed
7
Transmission Type
Not Officially Disclosed
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Dual-clutch
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
Not Officially Disclosed
7
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Claimed Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
12.99 km/l
City Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
53 l
Emission Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Euro VI
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
12.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
51
53
Combined Driving Range
943 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Traction Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Rear seats
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
AEB
Yes
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
TCS
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Cruise Control
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Yes
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Seat Material
Not Officially Disclosed
Leather
Heated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Not Officially Disclosed
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Not Officially Disclosed
6-way manual
Seat Trim
Not Officially Disclosed
Leather
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Air conditioning
Power Windows
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Keyless Entry
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Push Button Start
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic power sunroof with power sunshade
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Air conditioning
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Infotainment System
15.4-inch HD Flyme touchscreen
BAIC DA head unit with radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connection
Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Scarlet Red, Krypton Grey, Polar White, Turquoise Blue
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Approach Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Tyre Size
Not Officially Disclosed
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
19-inch alloy wheels
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric parking brake
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Front Suspension
Not Officially Disclosed
MacPherson independent suspension
Rear Suspension
Not Officially Disclosed
Multi-link independent suspension
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Service Plan
6 years / 90,000 km
5 Years / 60 000 km
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Ownership Role
top
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Price Zar
679999 ZAR
429900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current ex-showroom price
Starting Price
679999
429900
Starting Price Zar
679999
429900
Spec
E5 EM-i
X55 Plus
Warranty
Vehicle: 6 years / 150,000 km; battery: 8 years / 200,000 km; roadside assistance: 5 years / unlimited km
5 Years / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This E5 EM-i and X55 Plus 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: E5 EM-i 39 vs X55 Plus 62.
Efficiency index: E5 EM-i 79 vs X55 Plus 53.
Safety-equipment index: E5 EM-i 91 vs X55 Plus 88.
Practicality index: E5 EM-i 71 vs X55 Plus 55.
Ownership-cover index: E5 EM-i not separately scored vs X55 Plus 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
E5 EM-i and X55 Plus 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
E5 EM-i leads by 4 points
E5 EM-i and X55 Plus are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
E5 EM-i
Performance
39/100
Efficiency
79/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
71/100
X55 Plus
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexGeely E5 EM-i
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 65 pts for X55 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, X55 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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