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 Practicality
ZS
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
X55 Plus
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
ZS
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
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 local value-positioned ZS compact SUV, sold alongside rather than replaced by the larger turbocharged ZS Pro.
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.
Current South African ZS specification introduced with MG's market return in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
2024
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Five-door compact SUV
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2024
2024
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Compact SUV
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
SUV
SUV
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Length
4620 mm
4314 mm
Width
1886 mm
1809 mm
Height
1680 mm
1624 mm
Wheelbase
2735 mm
2585 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
Not Officially Disclosed
175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
160 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
53 l
48 l
Boot/Cargo Space
350 l
359 l
Kerb Weight
1480 kg
1258 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1970 kg
1695 kg
Payload Capacity
490 kg
437 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
5.6 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1043 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
995 mm
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1070 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
850 mm
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Engine
1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated NSE Petrol
Engine Code
A156T2H
NSE
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1498 cc
1498 cc
Cylinders
4
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Inline
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Turbocharged
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Multipoint fuel injection
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
84 kW
Maximum Torque
305 Nm
150 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
4-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
200 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
7.7 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Eco, Sport, Comfort, Smart
No
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
66.77 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
119.24 Nm/tonne
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
X55 Plus
ZS
Gearbox
7DCT
4-Speed Automatic
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
7
4
Transmission Type
7-speed dual-clutch transmission
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque converter automatic
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Automatic
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
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 Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Dual-clutch
Automatic
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
7
4
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Claimed Mileage
12.99 km/l
14.08 km/l
City Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
10.99 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
16.95 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
53 l
48 l
Emission Standard
Euro VI
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Real-world Mileage
12.99 km/l
14.08 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
53
48
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
Standard
Not Available
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
Not Available
Not Available
AEB
Not Available
Not Available
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
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
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Available
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Standard
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Keep Assist
Not Available
Not Available
Lane Departure Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Available
Not Available
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Standard
360 Degree Camera
Not Available
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Available
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Auto Wipers
Standard
Not Available
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Available
Not Available
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Not Available
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Forward Collision Warning
Not Available
Not Available
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Seat Material
Leather
PVC + PU
Heated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Not Available
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
6-way manual
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
6-way manual
4-way manual, no height adjustment
Seat Trim
Leather
PVC + PU
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Climate Control
Air conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Not Available
Not Available
Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Electric Tailgate
Not Available
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Not Available
AC Type
Air conditioning
ETC air conditioning
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Infotainment System
BAIC DA head unit with radio, Bluetooth and smartphone connection
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Standard
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
4
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
10.25-inch LCD instrument screen
Not Available
USB Ports
Front USB, rear USB and Type-C charging
Standard
Infotainment Screen
10.1-inch central touchscreen
8-inch
Touchscreen
10.1-inch central touchscreen
8-inch
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
LED Headlamps
Standard
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Standard
Standard
Fog Lamps
Standard
Standard
Roof Rails
Not Available
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Scarlet Red, Krypton Grey, Polar White, Turquoise Blue
Pearl Black, Arctic White, Storm Silver, Burnt Orange, Dynamic Red, Atlantic Blue
Headlights
Standard
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Available
Standard
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Approach Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
29.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Tyre Size
225/60 R18
215/50R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Solid disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Space-saver spare wheel
16-inch steel spare wheel and tyre R16
Wheel Rim Size
18-inch
17
Handbrake Type
Electric parking brake
Mechanical
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Front Suspension
MacPherson independent suspension
Independent
Rear Suspension
Multi-link independent suspension
Torsion Beam
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
CO2 Emissions
Not Officially Disclosed
165 g/km
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Service Plan
5 Years / 60 000 km
5 years/60,000 km
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Ownership Role
Private buyer ownership with BAIC South Africa warranty and service support
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
429900 ZAR
309900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current ex-showroom price
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
429900
309900
Starting Price Zar
429900
309900
Spec
X55 Plus
ZS
Warranty
5 Years / 150 000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This X55 Plus and ZS 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 37.
Efficiency index: X55 Plus 53 vs ZS 55.
Safety-equipment index: X55 Plus 88 vs ZS 87.
Practicality index: X55 Plus 55 vs ZS 52.
Ownership-cover index: X55 Plus not separately scored vs ZS 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
X55 Plus and ZS 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 8 points
X55 Plus has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.
Performance
X55 Plus +25
Efficiency
ZS +2
Safety
X55 Plus +1
Practicality
X55 Plus +3
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
ZS
Performance
37/100
Efficiency
55/100
Safety
87/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBAIC X55 Plus
leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts
vs 57 pts for ZS
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, X55 Plus leads. However, ZS 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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