BAIC B40 Plus vs Mahindra Scorpio-N vs GWM Tank 300: Here's our winner.

Unless you're shopping for a used vehicle, you're not going to find a Jeep Wrangler for under R1 000 000. Indeed, the humble Wrangler will now set you back no less than a cool 1.0 million Rand. Unless you're a hard-core Jeep fan, you may be open to suggestions and still looking for a 4x4 with similar qualities: body-on-frame construction, low range, off-road-ready capabilities, and a retro-cool aesthetic. 

Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the BAIC B40 Plus

Manufacturers know that the rugged look is appealing, and several of them have vehicles in their portfolios that fit this bill. From the smallest little Suzuki Jimny to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, it's an approach that signifies its intent. In the middle order of things are the BAIC B40 Plus, the Mahindra Scorpio-N, and the Tank 300. Prices range from R575 000 upwards but stay under the R1-million mark. Here's how they compare.

BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion

Price - R699 500

Powertrain

The BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion is powered by a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that produces 160kW and 320Nm torque. This model also has a 2.0-litre diesel engine if that's your preferred flavour, but we've opted for the range-topping Champion version, which utilises a petrol engine. 

It is able to send power to all four wheels through a 4x4 system through an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It includes a low-range option for crawling and traversing obstacles, and a rear diff lock is standard for those tougher gradients.

Standard equipment

The range-topping Champion trim is fairly well equipped, featuring cruise control, dual-zone climate control, electric adjustment for the driver's seat, a 6-speaker audio system, touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB inputs, 17-inch alloy wheels, and leather upholstery.

Safety

You get 2 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control (TCS), and an Electronic Stability Program (ESP). There are Isofix mountings for child seats, and the B40 Plus has a tyre pressure monitoring (TPM) system as well.

Practicality

The B40 Plus offers 532-litres of boot space, which can grow to 965-litres if you fold the rear seats forward. The manufacturer does not provide towing information.

Price and value

The BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion will cost you R699 500 and is sold with a 5-year/120 000 km warranty, but the service plan is an optional extra that you will have to factor into the equation if you wish to have it serviced by BAIc themselves.

Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor Adventure

Price - R663 999

Powertrain

The nearest rival to the B40 Plus is the diesel-powered Mahindra Scorpio-N. While it has a softer, more urban look, it's just as rugged underneath. It's powered by the mHawk 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine that produces 129kW and 400Nm torque, sending power to all four wheels through a 6-speed automatic gearbox. This one, too, features a low-range option and a locking diff.

Standard equipment

There's no shortage of equipment in the Scorpio-N. you get an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, LED headlights and taillights, auto headlights and wipers, a tyre pressure monitoring system, 18-inch alloy wheels, and leather upholstery.

Safety

The Mahindra Scorpion-N is equipped with 6 airbags, ABS with EBD, ESP with brake wipe function for wet weather and a hydraulic brake assist. There are Isofix mountings for child seats, and the Scorpion-N received a 5-star rating in the GNCAP crash tests.

Practicality

Mahindra doesn't list the Scorpio-N's boot space, but it is believed to be 460-litres. No unbraked tow rating is made available, but Mahindra has it rated to tow 2 500 kg braked.

Price and value

The Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor Adventure costs R663 999 and is sold with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and an included 5-year/110 000 km service plan.

GWM Tank 300 2.0T Super Luxury 4x4

Price - R725 950

Powertrain

While the Tank 300 is available with a hybrid option, we've chosen the most affordable version, the regular 2.0T in Super Luxury trim. That said, it's still a little more expensive than the other two. This one is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It sends power to all four wheels through a selectable 4WD system and has an electronic locking rear differential.

Standard Equipment

In the Tank 300, you can expect to find a large, 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. You get cruise control and electric seats in leather in the Super Luxury version. The Tank 300 comes with Tank Turn, which locks up the inside wheels to help you navigate tighter trails. This is in addition to the ambient lighting, cruise control, soundproof windows, auto lights and auto wipers.

Safety

On the safety front, there's a comprehensive host of equipment. You get the standard array of ABS with EBD, hydraulic brake assist, TCS, automatic emergency braking, front collision warning, Lane departure warning, and lane keep assist, and traffic jam assist. The Tank 300 has 7 airbags and ISOFIX mountings for child seats.

Practicality

There's a 400-litre boot in the Tank 300, the smallest of the three, but this can be expanded to 1 635-litres when you fold the rear seats down. Convenient grab handles, roof rails and a 12V charging port in the luggage compartment.

Price and value

The GWM Tank 300 in 2.0T Super Luxury trim costs R725 950 and is sold with an extensive 7-year/200 000 km warranty. It is also bundled with a 5-year/75 000 km service plan as standard.

Verdict

The GWM Tank is an impressive piece of equipment but the higher price tag does count against it. The BAIC by comparison is lacking in features and execution. It's for this reason that we're choosing the Mahindra Scorpio-N as our winner in this comparison. It may not have the same styling, but what it lacks there it makes up for in equipment and drive.