BAIC X55 Plus vs MG ZS Pro

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.

BAIC X55 Plus in South Africa

BAIC X55 Plus

Dynamic Petrol 7-Speed DCT Current
ZAR 429,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 138 kW 🔧 305 Nm ⛽ 12.99 km/l
VS
MG ZS Pro in South Africa

MG ZS Pro

1.5T CVT Luxury Petrol CVT Current
ZAR 431,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 125 kW 🔧 275 Nm ⛽ 14.5 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BAIC X55 Plus vs MG ZS Pro: the short answer

X55 Plus and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

ZS Pro starts ZAR 32,300 cheaper X55 Plus from ZAR 429,900 · ZS Pro from ZAR 397,600

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification X55 Plus ZS Pro
Maximum Power X55 Plus138 kW ZS Pro125 kW
Maximum Torque X55 Plus305 Nm ZS Pro275 Nm
Engine Size X55 Plus1498 cc ZS Pro1496 cc
Combined Fuel Economy X55 Plus12.99 km/l ZS Pro14.5 km/l
Ground Clearance X55 PlusNot Officially Disclosed ZS Pro161 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

X55 Plus

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Performance

ZS Pro

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

X55 Plus

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures

ZS Pro

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec X55 Plus ZS Pro
Model Introduced Year 2024 2025
Generation 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. Current South African ZS Pro compact SUV with a 1.5-litre turbo engine, CVT and two-grade matrix.
Facelift History 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. Launched locally in 2025 while the value-led ZS remained current.
Facelift Launched Since 2024 2025
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Five-door compact SUV Five-door compact SUV
Model Year 2024 2025
Production Status active active
Segment Compact SUV Compact SUV
Vehicle Type SUV SUV
Spec X55 Plus ZS Pro
Length 4620 mm 4430 mm
Width 1886 mm 1818 mm
Height 1680 mm 1635 mm
Wheelbase 2735 mm 2610 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) Not Officially Disclosed 161 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 160 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 53 l 55 l
Boot/Cargo Space 350 l 443 l
Kerb Weight 1480 kg 1390 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1970 kg 1840 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 450 kg
Towing Capacity Not Officially Disclosed 500 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 875 mm
Rear Headroom Not Officially Disclosed 865 mm
Front Legroom Not Officially Disclosed 1060 mm
Rear Legroom Not Officially Disclosed Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This X55 Plus and ZS Pro 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: X55 Plus 62 vs ZS Pro 56.

Efficiency index: X55 Plus 53 vs ZS Pro 58.

Safety-equipment index: X55 Plus 88 vs ZS Pro 91.

Practicality index: X55 Plus 55 vs ZS Pro 55.

Ownership-cover index: X55 Plus not separately scored vs ZS Pro 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.

Specification Evidence Index

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 0 points

X55 Plus and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 0 points
Data 68% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

X55 Plus

68% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 88 Check Efficiency 53
Performance 62
Efficiency 53
Safety 88
Practicality 55
Leads by 0 points
65
#2

ZS Pro

80% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Practicality 55
Performance 56
Efficiency 58
Safety 91
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance X55 Plus +6 Efficiency ZS Pro +5 Safety ZS Pro +3 Practicality Level

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

X55 Plus

Performance 62/100
Efficiency 53/100
Safety 88/100
Practicality 55/100

ZS Pro

Performance 56/100
Efficiency 58/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BAIC X55 Plus leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 65 pts for ZS Pro

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X55 Plus leads. However, ZS Pro may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

X55 Plus vs ZS Pro questions

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.