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Fast Facts
| Features | Details |
| Engine | 1.5-litre Turbo Petrol I4 with Hybrid Assistance |
| Power | 301 kW total |
| Torque | 685 Nm total |
| Transmission | DHT |
| Claimed / Actual Fuel Consumption | 5.8L /100km vs +-7.0L /100km |
| Total Range | 1000km |
| Safety Features | 6 airbags, Parking Camera, ISOFIX, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, ADAS, Hill Descent and Hold Control |
| Service Plan, Service Interval and Warranty | 7-year /90 000km service plan, 15 000 km service interval, 7-year /200 000km vehicle warranty, 8-year /150 000km battery and high voltage parts warranty. |
| Price as tested | from R689 900 |
Pros
- Cool and rugged looks
- Perky hybrid system but...
- Nicely trimmed interior
Cons
- Feels unfinished
- Powertrain feels held back, considering the power figures mentioned
- Infotainment is laggy, irksome and lacks native Android Auto support
The B30e is a reminder of what older SUVs were: go-anywhere, go-camping themes that plenty of American SUVs punted back in the day. Is this a step up from BAIC, though, from the rest of their range, or does it need a few extra steps?
Styling
I'll hand it to BAIC, the B30e is pretty. It looks militant and embodies the "utility" in SUV. Its standout styling feature is the front lighting signature, complete with LED dance sequences. Along the side, there's a squared-off motif with the glass expanse and pillars. The wheel arch cladding incorporates lights, even for nighttime camping excursions. The rear consists of vertical taillights and gloss-black trim to mimic a floating roof and a phantom rear section. I'm not sure if this makes sense to the eye, though, but I guess it depends on the angle from which you look at it. Our test unit is finished in Mint Green, and this colour works well with the outdoor theme this vehicle brings forward.
Space and Comfort
I love the finishes and materials BAIC has used in the B30e, the nappa leather feel, the textures of the interior trim, and the feel of the switchgear is tops. But this cabin needs tightening up. It's not intuitive to operate the cabin functions, such as the 14.6-inch infotainment screen. It's on the slower end and needs refinement. You get Apple CarPlay natively, but you need a 3rd-party app to get Android Auto. The less said about the CarBit application, the better. the better. Suppose you're going to sell a car in other territories, honestly, pony up the cash and buy an official Android Auto license. Some buttons on the centre console will also provide shortcuts for infotainment functions. Like, there is a big unlabelled dial in the centre console to switch drive modes, which seems unnecessary.
Spacewise, the B30e is roomy, and there's heaps of head and legroom in the rear. In the boot area, there is a parcel that doubles as a picnic table. I like the idea of a parcel shelf that doubles as a table in the boot area here, but it's not the most majestic execution of a table. Take a page from the first-generation Honda CR-V on how they did the table: integrate the legs into the table, make them fold, and add a drawer compartment to store the table. The boot area has a capacity of 1500 litres.
Performance
We have a mild hybrid drivetrain. A motor on each axle and a 1.5T 4 cylinder petrol engine to tie it all together. Combined power output is 301 kW and 685 Nm. That's sent to all 4 wheels via a DHT transmission.
The Drive
The B30e is a comfortable drive. There's some nicely tuned and taut suspension here. I like how the B30e feels on the road. The hybrid powertrain for moving around town will do the job, but I'd say for open road, it lacks some sense of urgency when you need to overtake. It's odd considering how much power is available, but it feels held back. The cabin, though, is quiet, and the whole car feels well put together. For daily usage, it should fare alright.
Fuel Consumption
Fuel-wise, we have a claimed range of over 1000km and claimed fuel consumption of 5.8 L /100km . We've been getting around 7.0 L/100km with occasional highway driving.
Safety
NCAP Rating:
Not yet tested
Notable safety includes:
- 6 airbags
- Parking Camera
- ISOFIX
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring
- ADAS
- Hill Descent and Hold Control
Price
| Model | Price |
| BAIC B30 1.5T Elite Adventure | from R519 000 |
| BAIC B30 1.5T Premium Adventure | from R549 900 |
| BAIC B30e 1.5T HEV Elite Adventure | from R639 900 |
| BAIC B30e 1.5T HEV Premium Adventure AWD | from R689 900 |
The purchase price for the B30 includes a 7-year /90 000 km service plan, a 15 000 km service interval, a 7-year/200 000 km vehicle warranty, and, for the hybrid variants, an 8-year/150 000 km battery and high-voltage parts warranty.
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and is subject to change without prior notice.
Rivals
- Jetour T1
- Mahindra XUV700
- iCaur 03T
- Haval H6 HEV
- Kia Sportage
- Volkswagen Tiguan
- Subaru Forester
Verdict
BAIC is onto something with the B30e, but it feels like it needed more time in the oven. The laggy infotainment, some cabin functions, and perhaps letting more of the power it has to hand loose. It needs a few tweaks, then we've got something solid.
