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
Specification evidence leader
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?
L4
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
L4
X55 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2026
2024
Generation
First-generation LEPAS L4 compact SUV
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
The L4 launched as the first LEPAS model in South Africa in 2026.
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
2026
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Length
4406 mm
4620 mm
Width
1820 mm
1886 mm
Height
1635 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2700 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
160 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
53 l
Boot/Cargo Space
458 l
350 l
Kerb Weight
1346 kg
1480 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1844 kg
1970 kg
Payload Capacity
498 kg
490 kg
Towing Capacity
1200 kg
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.275 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
1005 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
975 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1040 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
890 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Engine Code
SQRE4T15C
A156T2H
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1499 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Multi-Point Electronic Fuel Injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
9.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
77.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
80.5 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
108 kW @ 5500 rpm
138 kW
Maximum Torque
225 Nm @ 2000-4000 rpm
305 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
FWD
FWD
Transmission
6-Speed DCT
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
185 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.2 sec
7.7 sec
Quarter Mile
17.6 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Eco, Sport, Comfort, Smart
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
6500 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
80.2 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
167.2 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
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
L4
X55 Plus
Gearbox
6-speed dual-clutch automatic
7DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive
FWD
LSD Available
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
4.13:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
6
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Clutch Type
Dual clutch
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
FWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Dual-clutch
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
4x2
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
6
7
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Claimed Mileage
14.3 km/l
12.99 km/l
City Mileage
11.5 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
16.8 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
53 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6B
Euro VI
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
14.3 km/l
12.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
51
53
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Standard
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
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes - front seats
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Cruise Control
Adaptive
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Wipers
Standard
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Park Assist
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Standard
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Not Available
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Seat Material
Faux leather
Leather
Heated Seats
No
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Faux leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way power
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
6-way manual
Seat Trim
Faux leather
Leather
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Climate Control
Climate control
Air conditioning
Power Windows
Front and rear
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Standard
AC Type
Climate control
Air conditioning
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Infotainment System
13.2-inch
BAIC DA head unit with radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connection
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
8-inch segment display
10.25-inch LCD instrument screen
USB Ports
2
Front USB, rear USB and Type-C charging
Infotainment Screen
13.2-inch
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Touchscreen
13.2-inch
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear
Standard
Roof Rails
Standard
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
LEPAS South Africa colour availability varies by derivative and launch allocation.
Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Scarlet Red, Krypton Grey, Polar White, Turquoise Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Approach Angle
20.0 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
28.0 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
400 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
18.5 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Tyre Size
215/60 R17
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary T-type spare tyre
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
17-inch
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electric parking brake
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut independent suspension
MacPherson independent suspension
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam semi-independent suspension
Multi-link independent suspension
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
CO2 Emissions
159 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km
5 Years / 60 000 km
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Ownership Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Price Zar
419900 ZAR
429900 ZAR
Pricing Role
safety and comfort flagship derivative
Current ex-showroom price
Starting Price
419900
429900
Starting Price Zar
419900
429900
Spec
L4
X55 Plus
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
5 Years / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This L4 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: L4 47 vs X55 Plus 62.
Efficiency index: L4 56 vs X55 Plus 53.
Safety-equipment index: L4 92 vs X55 Plus 88.
Practicality index: L4 59 vs X55 Plus 55.
Ownership-cover index: L4 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
L4 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
X55 Plus leads by 1 points
L4 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
X55 Plus
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
55/100
L4
Performance
47/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
59/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC X55 Plus
leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts
vs 64 pts for L4
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X55 Plus leads. However, L4 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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