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 EfficiencyPublished Practicality
X55 Plus
Strengths
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Which One's Right for You?
X3
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
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 who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Model Introduced Year
2024
2024
Generation
Fourth-generation G45 BMW X3, produced at BMW Plant Rosslyn for South Africa and export markets.
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
G45 is the current fourth-generation X3 and the South African launch version; no local facelift has been announced.
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
Original current-generation version
2024
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Premium SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Car
SUV
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Length
4755 mm
4620 mm
Width
1920 mm
1886 mm
Height
1660 mm
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2865 mm
2735 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
190 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
170 mm
160 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
65 l
53 l
Boot/Cargo Space
570 l
350 l
Kerb Weight
2055 kg
1480 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2625 kg
1970 kg
Payload Capacity
645 kg
490 kg
Towing Capacity
2500 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
5.8 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
1014 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
982 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1030 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
932 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Engine
BMW 48V mild-hybrid turbocharged engine
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
Engine Code
B48
A156T2H
Fuel Type
Petrol Mild Hybrid
Petrol
Hybrid System
48V Mild Hybrid
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
2998 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
6
4
Cylinder Layout
Inline
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves
16
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
4
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Direct injection
Not Officially Disclosed
Compression Ratio
10.5:1
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
82.0 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
94.6 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
293 kW
138 kW
Maximum Torque
540 Nm @ 1900-4800 rpm
305 Nm
Combined Power
1 kW
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
1 Nm
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Integrated transmission electric motor
Not Applicable
Drive Type
AWD
FWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
7-Speed DCT
Top Speed
250 km/h
200 km/h
0-100 km/h
4.6 sec
7.7 sec
Quarter Mile
12.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Comfort, Sport
Eco, Sport, Comfort, Smart
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
7000 rpm
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
100 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
220 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
1 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
64.8 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium-ion
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
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
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Gearbox
8-Speed Automatic
7DCT
Drivetrain Layout
All-wheel drive
FWD
LSD Available
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Transfer Case
Yes
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Paddle Shifters
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Final Drive Ratio
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
8
7
Transmission Type
Automatic
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Clutch Type
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gear Shift Type
Automatic selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Drivetrain
AWD
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Electronically controlled AWD
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Yes
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Yes
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Differential Lock
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Gearbox Type
Automatic
Dual-clutch
Low Range Ratio
Yes
Not Applicable
Low Range
Yes
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Yes
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Transmission Speeds
8
7
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Claimed Mileage
12.5 km/l
12.99 km/l
City Mileage
10.5 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Highway Mileage
15.0 km/l
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
65 l
53 l
Emission Standard
Euro 6
Euro VI
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Auto Start Stop
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Real-world Mileage
12.5 km/l
12.99 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Charging Type
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Litres
65
53
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Consumption
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Highway
360 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Range Real World Mixed
420 km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Yes
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
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Not Available
AEB
Yes
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Not Available
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
X3
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
Yes
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Yes
Not Available
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Yes
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
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
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Around View Monitor
Yes
Not Available
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Yes
Not Available
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Seat Material
Leather/Sensatec
Leather
Heated Seats
Front
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Yes
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Steering wheel M Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric with driver memory
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric multi-way
6-way manual
Seat Trim
Sport seats for driver and front passenger
Leather
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Climate Control
Standard
Air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Comfort Access
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Standard
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic
Not Available
Electric Tailgate
Yes
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Air conditioning
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Infotainment System
Yes
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
6
4
Digital Instrument Cluster
12.3
10.25-inch LCD instrument screen
USB Ports
2
Front USB, rear USB and Type-C charging
Infotainment Screen
14.9
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Touchscreen
14.9
10.1-inch central touchscreen
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Yes
Standard
Roof Rails
Yes
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple manufacturer colours
Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Scarlet Red, Krypton Grey, Polar White, Turquoise Blue
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Yes
Not Available
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Approach Angle
25 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
23 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
500 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Auto; Sport; Eco
Not Officially Disclosed
Locking Differential
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
4WD System Type
All-wheel drive
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
20 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Tyre Size
225/50 R18
225/60 R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Solid disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Space-saver spare wheel
Wheel Rim Size
20" M light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 1036 M Bicolour
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic
Electric parking brake
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Front Suspension
M Sports Suspension
MacPherson independent suspension
Rear Suspension
M Sports Suspension
Multi-link independent suspension
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
CO2 Emissions
189 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Service Plan
5 years / 100000 km BMW Motorplan
5 Years / 60 000 km
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Ownership Role
Private, business and fleet
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Price Zar
1550000 ZAR
429900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current recommended retail price
Current ex-showroom price
Starting Price
1550000
429900
Starting Price Zar
1550000
429900
Spec
X3
X55 Plus
Warranty
Yes
5 Years / 150 000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This X3 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: X3 99 vs X55 Plus 62.
Efficiency index: X3 54 vs X55 Plus 53.
Safety-equipment index: X3 92 vs X55 Plus 88.
Practicality index: X3 75 vs X55 Plus 55.
Ownership-cover index: X3 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
X3 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
X3 leads by 17 points
X3 holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over X55 Plus.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
X3
Performance
99/100
Efficiency
54/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
75/100
X55 Plus
Performance
62/100
Efficiency
53/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
55/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBMW X3
leads the specification evidence index with 82 pts
vs 65 pts for X55 Plus
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X3 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.