Selecting a new vehicle can be tough, especially when you're in the market for an SUV. The current range of offerings has something for every taste, be it a soft and compliant grocery getter or a more robust offering with 4x4 and off-road credentials. The BAIC B40 Plus offers a ladder-frame chassis and low range for hardcore offroad adventures and a host of creature comforts that ensure you're satisfied while commuting to work.
Related: What is the cheapest BAIC you can buy?
When shopping on the more affordable side of the spectrum, the running costs of the model you're interested in are as important as the warranty and monthly instalments. We're comparing the anticipated running costs of these three offerings to see which one comes out on top.
Figure comparison
We're comparing the mid-range BAIC B40 Plus in 2.0T City Hunter trim against the Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor and the Proton X70 1.5T Premium X.
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T City Hunter | Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor | Proton X70 1.5T Premium X | |
| Engine | 2.0 turbo petrol | 2.2 turbodiesel | 1.5 turbo petrol |
| Power | 160kW / 320Nm | 129kW / 400Nm | 130kW / 255Nm |
| Gearbox | 8-speed auto | 6-speed auto | 7-speed DCT |
| Fuel Consumption (claimed) | 10.1 L/100km | 6.9 L/100km | 7.8 L/100km |
| Airbags | 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Driven Wheels | All | All | Front |
| Warranty | 5-yr/120 000 km | 5-yr/150 000 km | 5-yr/Unlimited |
| Service plan | opt 4-yr/60 000 km | 5-yr/110 000 km | optional |
| Price | R674 500 | R585 999 | R639 900 |
Purchase price
To see how much you can expect to pay each month on instalments, we're using a standardised formula for all three. Your individual profile will dictate what terms you qualify for, but we're using a finance agreement structured over 72 months with a 10% deposit and an interest rate of 12%. No balloon and no residual value is factored in.
BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T City Hunter
The B40 Plus retails for R674 500 in this trim and with a deposit of R67 450, the monthly instalment comes to R11 868 per month.
Mahindra Scorpio-N 2.2D Z8 4XPlor
The Mahindra is the cheapest of the three compared here and with its R585 999 purchase price, you can expect to pay R10 311 when taking it over 72 months, giving you a monthly saving of R1 500!
Proton X70 1.5T Premium X
You can expect to pay R639 900 for the Proton X70 1.5T in Premium X trim, equating to a monthly instalment of R11 259 when putting down a 10% deposit and taking it over 72 months.
Service plans
The Mahindra Scorpio-N is the only one of these three that has an included service plan as part of the purchase price. This will have to be factored in if you choose one of the other two and this will add to the purchase price if you wish to have it serviced by the dealership. This in in line with the Right To Repair act. Enquire about these costs before signing your purchase offer.
