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Before we get started with the review, it may be helpful if we take a look at the maker of the B40 to get a better understanding of where and how this automaker came to be and why most all of its vehicles look like they were cribbed from better known American and German brands.
BAIC (Beijing Automotive Group Ltd) is a state-owned vehicle manufacturer that is the 5th largest in China with a number of domestic products that have made inroads in emerging markets. in the early 2010's BAIC went on a technology buying frenzy, acquiring the rights to older SAAB tech, purchasing older General Motors designs, and hosting joint ventures with other brands such as Hyundai and Mercedes Benz, to build these brands for their local market.
This is how we end up with vehicles that closely resemble known products leading to many a comment about copy-pasting designs when in fact these are stand-alone vehicles and this is how we ended up with the B40 Jeep Wrangler clone.
Related: BAIC B40 Plus (2021) launch – the beer-budget 4x4
Styling
Let's address the whale in the room, yes, it does look very similar to a Jeep Wrangler. This is because BAIC officially bought the designs for the older generation Wrangler from General Motors before they were gobbled up by FCA (now Stellantis). If you look closely you will also see some Hummer DNA bandied about. From a styling point, It's a very square block design with flat windows and many of the similar traits you will find on a Jeep, such as a removable hard top, T-top style roof, and removable doors.
The B40 rides on 17' alloy wheels with chunky off-road biased tyres covered by squared-off flared arches. The front end has an aggressive design and we will say this, it does turn heads, whether it is the design or just morbid curiosity, people do stop and look.
The Hummer DNA comes through in the flatter, squarer profile and small touches like the fuel filler cap. Although the B40 looks like one particular vehicle it is actually an amalgamation of many design elements to the point of being a stand-alone machine that can hold its own.
Which BAIC B40 Plus is better: diesel or petrol?
Space & Interior
The interior is rather roomy with plenty of leg and shoulder room for all the occupants. Seats are covered in 2 part hard-wearing cloth with attractive blue stitching and are very comfortable. The rear luggage compartment is also roomy and space can be expanded from 532l to 965l by dropping the rear seats.
The touch surfaces are covered in soft material with an attractive dashboard cover featuring matching blue stitching. The centre console features decent switch gear with gloss black/brushed aluminium trim.
Comfort & Convenience
The B40 is a capable off-road machine and as such is quite comfortable to spend some time in. There is plenty of space and comfortable seating for 5 adults who all have access to a number of storage compartments. Occupants are kept cool by the dual-zone climate control and entertained by a 6-speaker Bluetooth sound system. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are missing in this model, a single 12v power outlet and USB point can keep devices charged.
Outside of this, there isn't much else as the B40 is meant to be used off the beaten path but handles the city just as well.
Everything you need to know about the BAIC B40 Plus
Performance
The B40 is powered by a choice of either a 2.0 turbo petrol or as in our test unit a 2.0 turbo diesel mated to a 6-speed auto transmission. The diesel delivers 110kW and 350Nm and will easily reach highway speeds.
The transmission programming resulted in a less-than-ideal drive at times but as we have recently found out, this has been addressed with newer vehicles arriving with a swanky new ZF transmission that will have solved the drive issue.
Fuel Economy
As we have consistently found with Chinese-made vehicles, fuel consumption is higher than normal, with the 2.0 TDi returning 13.5l / 100km. BAIC does not currently have a fuel consumption claim but 13's on a 2.0l diesel may raise a few eyebrows.
Safety
The B40 comes equipped with 2 airbags up front for the driver and passenger with the rear seats getting ISOfix attachments. The vehicle is equipped with ABS, EBD and hill start assist to help drivers and keep occupants safe.
Price
This would seem to be the biggest point of contention for many that have sampled the B40. Consumers have pointed out that this is a Chinese-made vehicle but is commanding pricing in excess of half a million rand. However, the pricing is rather keen when compared to a similar vehicle from Jeep
| Model | Price (incl. VAT) |
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0TDi | R 564 500 |
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0TDi City Hunter | R 594 500 |
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T | R 599 500 |
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T City Hunter | R 629 500 |
| BAIC B40 Plus 2.0T Champion | R 649 500 |
Competitors
The B40 really only has one direct competitor in the Jeep Wrangler which is not price competitive with others such as the Mahindra Pik Up and Toyota F Cruiser coming close in design and price but its prudent to point out that there is nothing quite like the BAIC B40.
Verdict
The B40 is something special, it has the design, it has the chops, it can hold its own against its competitors and is pretty good value for money. It must be said though that South African brand bias rails against this vehicle, which is sad because it's a good car. Consumers need to understand that Chinese companies will make you anything you want and the quality will depend entirely on how thick your wallet is. In the case of the BAIC B40, it is not cheaply made and it comes across in the build quality. We highly advise you to try this quirky yet capable machine.
