BAIC X55 Plus vs MG ZS

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 in South Africa

MG ZS

1.5L 4AT Luxury Petrol 4-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 309,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 84 kW 🔧 150 Nm ⛽ 14.08 km/l
+ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BAIC X55 Plus vs MG ZS: the short answer

X55 Plus has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.

ZS starts ZAR 140,000 cheaper X55 Plus from ZAR 429,900 · ZS from ZAR 289,900

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification X55 Plus ZS
Maximum Power X55 Plus138 kW ZS84 kW
Maximum Torque X55 Plus305 Nm ZS150 Nm
Engine Size X55 Plus1498 cc ZS1498 cc
Combined Fuel Economy X55 Plus12.99 km/l ZS14.08 km/l
Ground Clearance X55 PlusNot Officially Disclosed ZS175 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
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published 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

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

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.

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 8 points

X55 Plus has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ZS remains close.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 8 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 8 points
57
#2

ZS

73% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 87 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 55
Safety 87
Practicality 52
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
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 score View 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 index BAIC 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.

X55 Plus vs ZS 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.