Chunky off-road machines
When it comes to off-road-biased vehicles with serious pedigree, few can compete with Jeep. The Jeep brand has been around for over 80 years, and to stay relevant that long, they have had to ensure that the vehicles they make are capable and can withstand the rigours of 4x4 activity.
Related: BAIC B40 Plus 2.0TDi (2022) Review
In recent years, we have seen the arrival of a comparable vehicle from China out of the BAIC stable, which deeply resembles the Jeep Wrangler. However, there is no actual connection between the two. BAIC has made a name for itself in the Far East by manufacturing vehicles for the military, and the B40 is one of those Humvee/Jeep-type crossovers that has served them well. How much Jeep is there in a B40, and how do they compare?
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2.0T Sahara (2025) Review
Powertrain
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion | Jeep Wrangler 2.0T Sahara | |
| Engine | 2.0 4-cylinder turbo petrol | 2.0 4-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Transmission | 8-speed auto | 8-speed auto |
| Power figures | 160kW / 320Nm | 200kW / 400Nm |
| Top Speed | 165km | 180km |
| Drive | AWD | AWD |
| Paddle Shift | No | No |
The Wrangler has the upper hand here and performs better overall. The BAIC's powerplant is not bad, but its drivetrain lacks refinement.
Fuel efficiency
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion | Jeep Wrangler 2.0T Sahara | |
| Claimed fuel economy | Not provided | 11.1 L/100km |
| Actual fuel economy | 13.6 L/100km | 13.5 L/100km |
| Fuel tank size (litres) | 75 | 81 |
| Distance on a tank | 550km | 730km |
Practicality
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion | Jeep Wrangler 2.0T Sahara | |
| Boot size (litres) | 532 - 965 | 548 - 1059 |
| Towing capacity | Not Rated | 750kg unbraked / 2 495kg braked |
| Seating | 5 Adults, leatherette upholstery | 5 adults, heated front seats, leatherette upholstery |
Once again, BAIC's failure to supply data for the B40 gives the win to the Wrangler, which has known data that consumers will use.
Safety
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion | Jeep Wrangler 2.0T Sahara | |
| ABS | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | Yes |
| Stability Control | Yes | Yes |
| NCAP Rating | Untested | 1 star (tested 2018) |
| Airbags | 2 | 4 |
| Cruise control | Standard | Adaptive |
| LED lighting | Std (DRL only) | Yes |
| Land Departure Warning | No | No |
| Heads Up Display | No | No |
| Hill Hold Assist | Yes | Yes |
| Tyre Pressure Monitoring | Yes | Yes |
| Camera | Rear only | Rear view only |
| PDC (Park Distance Control) | Rear only | Front and Rear |
In terms of NCAP ratings, both vehicles fail to score as the BAIC has not been crash tested, and the Jeep was last tested in 2018 and scored dismally. The Jeep does, however, score higher than the BAIC in the tech features category.
Price and warranty
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion | Jeep Wrangler 2.0T Sahara | |
| Price | R 699 500 | R 1 249 900 |
| Warranty | 5 Year / 120 000km | 5 Year / 100 000km |
| Service Plan | 4 Year / 60 000km (Optional) | 5 Year / 100 000km |
The BAIC is a very attractive option, offering similar levels and performance to the Wrangler at a price that is hard to ignore. Jeep still offers a better after-market service, though.
Our Verdict
If you want the look and feel with comparable performance, the BAIC B40 will do just fine at almost half the price of the Wrangler. However, if you're going to attempt serious offroading and are after decades of 4x4 development, the Wrangler is the only way to go. Yes, the price is double, but it shows in the finer things and the eventual final drive.
