The new Beijing X55 puts up a strong case for a Chinese SUV
November 17, 2022
Chinese cars have infiltrated the South African automotive space. First, it was Haval with the Jolion which caused a stir, then Chery came along with a completely new line-up of models starting with the Tiggo 7 Pro. Beijing, formally known as BAIC, has taken the opportunity to make an entrance with the new X55 SUV.
The new Beijing X55 is a compact SUV from Chinese brand BAIC, which has been in the country for some time but lurking in the shadows, until now. What the brand has done here is split itself in half, with one part producing BAIC vehicles and the other taking care of the Beijing brand, similar to Toyota and Lexus. Beijing is responsible for the new X55 model, and from what we’ve gathered, the Beijing brand will be the upscale wing of the two companies.
What does it offer?
You’re getting a Chinese compact SUV with similar proportions to the likes of the Haval H6. Don’t allow its country of origin to put you off, many of the things we use daily come from there. What you should know about Beijing is that they have a partnership with Daimler, and the new X55 is the first offspring of the Beijing Benz alliance. It’s a well-put-together product from the inside out, from a quality standpoint. It will give many well-known and trusted brands a run for their money with its soft-touch interior finishes. You won’t find hard or brittle plastic panels in areas within reach or eyesight. What you will find in the Beijing X55 are parts and items that have been borrowed from its German alliance partner. like the indicator, windscreen wiper, and cruise control stalks are all from Merc. The top lighting panel with sunroof controls has also been borrowed from the German firm, to name a few.
It comes with your standard safety features such as six airbags, ABS, EBD and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist. Add to this, an electronic parking brake, hill start assist and hill descent control. According to Beijing, the new X55 meets the C-NCAP 5-star safety standard. From a features perspective, the top-spec offers electronically adjustable seats with memory function, heating, ventilation and lumbar support. A panoramic glass sunroof is also standard, while things like keyless entry, retractable door handles and keyless start are standard across the range.
What engine is in the new Beijing X55?
Well, this is where it gets interesting. The new Beijing X55 is powered by a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine, with 130 kW and 305 Nm. On the road, the 1.5 has a lot of grunt and this is when we began asking questions. The new Mercedes-Benz C200 has a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with similar road characteristics, and after a little fact-finding mission, we suspect that it’s the same motor on duty in both vehicles, although the Chinese won't confirm or deny this. In the Beijing X55, the engine is paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and will see the SUV do the 0 - 100 sprint in just 7.8 seconds.
How much is the Beijing X55 in South Africa?
One of the most critical things to a manufacturer's success or failure when introducing a new vehicle into the market is pricing. It has to be priced well to have a good reception. The Beijing X55 is offered in three variants (Dynamic, Elite, Premium) with a starting price of R394 900. In top-spec Premium with its many standard tech and goodies, the X55 ticks in at just R494 900. For context, the Premium variant's direct competitor from Korea, the top-spec Hyundai Tucson is R719 900.
Words: Gugu Masuku
