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?
UNI-S
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
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2026
2024
Generation
First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades.
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 South African facelift has been announced since the UNI-S entered local retail sale 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
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
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Passenger car
SUV
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Length
4539 mm
4620 mm
Width
1865 mm
1886 mm
Height
1680 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2656 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
167 mm
160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
53 l
Boot/Cargo Space
475 l
350 l
Kerb Weight
1505 kg
1480 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1825 kg
1970 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
490 kg
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.66 m
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
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Engine
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Engine Code
NE15TG-AC
A156T2H
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
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
138 kW
138 kW
Maximum Torque
300 Nm
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
7-Speed DCT
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
190 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
7.7 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
3 selectable modes
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
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
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Gearbox
7-Speed DCT
7DCT
Drivetrain Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
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
7
7
Transmission Type
DCT
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Clutch Type
Dual-clutch
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
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
Dual-Clutch Automatic
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
7
7
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Claimed Mileage
14.49 km/l
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
Euro 6
Euro VI
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
14.49 km/l
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
Not Officially Disclosed
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
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Driver and front passenger
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
Yes
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
Driver and front passenger
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Cruise Control
Cruise Control
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 (6 sensors)
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
540-degree HD panoramic view
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
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Park Assist
Straight-in/straight-out automatic parking
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
540-degree HD panoramic view
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Seat Material
Microfiber leather
Leather
Heated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Front seat cushions
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Microfiber leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way electric
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way electric
6-way manual
Seat Trim
Microfiber leather
Leather
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Air conditioning
Power Windows
All four windows; one-touch up/down
Standard
Keyless Entry
Passive entry
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Sunroof
Electric panoramic sunroof
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Air conditioning
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Infotainment System
12.8-inch infotainment system
BAIC DA head unit with radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connection
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Standard
Android Auto
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
8
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch instrument display
10.25-inch LCD instrument screen
USB Ports
1 USB-A and 1 USB-C in front
Front USB, rear USB and Type-C charging
Infotainment Screen
12.8-inch
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Touchscreen
12.8-inch
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Standard
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Black, Putty Grey, Shadow Grey, Fluorite Grey, Moon White
Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Scarlet Red, Krypton Grey, Polar White, Turquoise Blue
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Spec
UNI-S
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
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Tyre Size
225/55 R19
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary-use spare
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electric parking brake
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Front Suspension
MacPherson independent
MacPherson independent suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-link independent
Multi-link independent suspension
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
CO2 Emissions
179 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Service Plan
5 years / 90,000 km
5 Years / 60 000 km
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Ownership Role
Current South African derivative
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Price Zar
469900 ZAR
429900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
Current ex-showroom price
Starting Price
469900
429900
Starting Price Zar
469900
429900
Spec
UNI-S
X55 Plus
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km; roadside assistance 5 years
5 Years / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This UNI-S 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: UNI-S 59 vs X55 Plus 62.
Efficiency index: UNI-S 55 vs X55 Plus 53.
Safety-equipment index: UNI-S 92 vs X55 Plus 88.
Practicality index: UNI-S 68 vs X55 Plus 55.
Ownership-cover index: UNI-S 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
UNI-S 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
UNI-S leads by 4 points
UNI-S 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
UNI-S
Performance
59/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
68/100
X55 Plus
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexChangan UNI-S
leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts
vs 65 pts for X55 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, UNI-S 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.
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.