Looking east
BAIC is a Chinese automaker that has begun making fledgling inroads into our local market. With a scattering of dealers around the country, they currently only offer two models for sale the X25 SUV and the D20 hatch and sedan. As far as the D20 is concerned, you get two trim levels on offer, Comfort and Fashion.
Related: How much are car repayments on a BAIC D20?
We take a look at what these two have on offer and which one we feel is the better option.
BAIC D20 1.5 Comfort
Coming in with a purchase price of R169 900 the Comfort is rather bare-bones affair with little to no convenience fitted. Its manual operation everything, from the basic radio and air con to mirror adjustments. It has rather sparse fitment but this is to be expected when you pay this low a price for a C segment vehicle. The D20 is going up against the likes of the Fiat Tipo and Polo Vivo and other such vehicles in this segment.
BAIC D20 1.5 Fashion
With a sticker price of R179 900 the Fashion is rather well-equipped. It is the standard offering that has been considerably dolled up. Automatic climate control, touchscreen audio with navigation and steering wheel controls, heated and foldable mirrors, auto lights and DRL's (daytime running lights), sunroof and rear camera for parking.
This makes it a very attractive offering when taking into account the fitment of its competitors and a much better option out of the D20 range, if you aren't counting pennies that is.
Verdict
With only a R10 000 price difference between the two trim levels it makes a decision rather difficult. This comes down to your priorities of initial cost versus leisure functions within the vehicle. Will you add an extra few rand to your monthly payment for the convenience of easy connectivity? There is, however, a lot of standard fitment for that extra 10k and it really is value for money.
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