The new BAIC Beijing X55 is now on offer in the country and its starting price of R394,900 has certainly gotten the public talking.
The X55 is an all-new crossover from BAIC’s Beijing sub-brand and is impressively specced for its bracket while boasting one of the more powerful engines, too.
Standard fitment for the most affordable Dynamic variant comprises artificial leather upholstery, dual-zone manual airconditioning, keyless entry and start, driver drowsiness warnings, cruise control, a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, auto brake hold, hill-start and descent assist, and two-tone 18-inch alloy wheels.
Each variant is also kitted with a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and a 10.1-inch media screen that supports smartphone mirroring for both iOS and Android through the CarbitLink app.
Powering the Beijing is a 1.5-litre, turbocharged petrol motor producing 130kW and 305Nm, mated with a seven-speed, dual-clutch gearbox.
This allows the front-wheel-drive X55 to accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds while average fuel usage is pegged at 7.2l/100km.
The crossover then measures in at 4,620mm long, 1,886mm wide, and 1,680mm tall – providing a storage compartment of 350 litres.
The competition
The X55 is competitively priced in South Africa, but it also has to deal with tried-and-tested vehicles in the same price class which South Africans have come to know and love.
These competitors are shown below. Click on the underlined prices for more information.
VW T-Cross 1.0TSI 75kW Comfortline
- Starting price – R387,600
- Power – 70kW/175Nm
- Fuel economy – 4.8l/100km
- Storage space – 377 litres
Ford EcoSport 1.0T Active
- Starting price – R393,700
- Power – 92kW/170Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.3l/100km
- Storage space – 333 litres
Hyundai Venue 1.0T Motion Auto
- Starting price – R394,900
- Power – 88kW/172Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.9l/100km
- Storage space – 343 litres
Renault Duster 1.5dCi Zen Auto
- Starting price – R396,999
- Power – 80kW/250Nm
- Fuel economy – 4.8l/100km
- Storage space – 478 litres
Suzuki Jimny 1.5 GLX AllGrip Auto
- Starting price – R399,900
- Power – 75kW/130Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.8l/100km
- Storage space – 85 litres
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5T Elite SE
- Starting price – R399,900
- Power – 108kW/210Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.8l/100km
- Storage space – 340 litres
Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 ES Auto
- Starting price – R399,990
- Power – 110kW/197Nm
- Fuel economy – 7.9l/100km
- Storage space – 406 litres
Kia Sonet 1.0T EX+
- Starting price – R399,995
- Power – 88kW/172Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.0l/100km
- Storage space – 392 litres
Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XS
- Starting price – R401,800
- Power – 103kW/172Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.8l/100km
- Storage space – 440 litres
Mazda CX-3 2.0 Active Auto
- Starting price – R406,600
- Power – 115kW/206Nm
- Fuel economy – 6.7l/100km
- Storage space – 264 litres
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