Al-Qalam 
Photo: Beijing X55 Plus
By Imraan Buccus
Earlier this year, I was in the market for a new car. And it was urgent. I spent weeks thinking about it and eventually narrowed it down to two well-known brands within my price range.
I went ahead and purchased one of the brands from my shortlist. I drove the new car home and had the nagging feeling that I had made the wrong choice. What was I to do now? I spoke to Murchie, the owner of a Baic dealership in Durban. He suggested I return the vehicle I had purchased and consider a Beijing. My immediate reaction was ‘no’, due in part to the fact that I was entering unknown territory and had never considered a Chinese brand prior to this. He graciously offered that I try out the Beijing for a few days. All I needed was an hour after having taken the vehicle to make a decision. And I haven’t regretted it one bit. That is the quick and dirty version of the story.
I quickly experienced the thrill that comes with discovering a new and celebrated Chinese brand on South African roads, that feeling when a vehicle turns heads not because it tries too hard, but because it simply gets the balance right. Everyone talks about all the features that come with Chinese models, and rightfully so – the Beijing has features that one would ordinarily pay a packet for yet holds steady at its surprisingly accessible starting price of R429,900. In a market where prices often climb faster than buyers can keep up, this is a breath of fresh air.
But let’s be honest: value only matters when the product delivers. And the Beijing, like I discovered within an hour of having it, does so with an elegant blend of thoughtful design, intuitive technology, and an unmistakable sense of occasion the moment you slip behind the wheel.
A Bolder Face
The Beijing is now refreshed and refined and injected with a youthful burst of energy. The blade wheels make it look athletic, while the dual quad exhaust gives it that subtle voom. It’s the kind of design that signals ambition, wrapped in an urban-ready package that still looks perfectly at home parked outside my favourite Umhlanga café or when making my way along scenic M4 coastal road north of Durban.
Colour lovers are spoilt for choice, with a palette that feels distinctly modern: Scarlet Red, Polar White, Electric Yellow, Metallic Grey, Krypton Grey, and Turquoise Blue. Whether you’re bold, understated, or somewhere in between, there’s a shade that lets your personality take the lead.
What’s the inside like?
Open the door and you’re met with a full black interior that is sleek, elegant, and tastefully put together. It’s contemporary without being cold, and remains stylish and inviting. You can almost imagine long Sunday drives, music turned up, windows slightly down and slipping into deep thought while taking in the views.
The technology inside feels purposeful rather than overwhelming. Easy Connection allows you to mirror your smartphone directly onto the head unit with minimal fuss. It’s the type of connectivity that doesn’t require tutorials, especially if you’ve passed your 40’s. You simply plug in, pair, and go. And with both wireless charging and a Type-C port, your devices stay energised even when the day stretches longer than you planned.
This is a cabin that understands modern life: busy schedules, long commutes, and the need to stay plugged in without being distracted.
Your Silent Co-Pilot
Safety is where the Beijing X55 Plus truly flexes its intelligence. BAIC has packed the vehicle with features designed to quietly support the driver without intruding on the driving experience.
One of the standout additions is the 540° 4D Transparent Chassis. For anyone who’s ever navigated tight parking spots or uneven gravel roads, this feature feels like a small miracle. It gives you a virtual view of the area beneath and around the vehicle, making tricky manoeuvres feel almost effortless.
The suite of driver assistance features reads like a checklist of peace of mind:
- Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
- Intelligent Cruise Assist (ICA)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
Together, they create a safety net that quietly watches over you, stepping in only when needed. This is the kind of co-pilot all of us could use, especially when navigating South Africa’s unpredictable roads.
Adding to the seamless experience is an impressive voice control system capable of managing over 200 functions. Whether you’re changing music, adjusting settings, or asking for information, the Beijing listens and responds, allowing your focus to remain exactly where it should be: on the road ahead.
Price matters for South Africans
What makes the Beijing X55 Plus stand out is not just the technology or design, but the fact that BAIC has held onto the original model’s pricing structure. In a time when upgrades typically come with hefty price increases, this move feels refreshingly customer-centred.
The lineup is competitively structured as follows:
- X55 PLUS ELITE: R469,900
- X55 PLUS PREMIUM: R509,900
- X55 PLUS PREMIUM 2T: R514,900
This is genuine value without compromise. BAIC has managed to do more than simply keep the price attractive; they’ve elevated what buyers receive for it.
What do we say?
This isn’t just an upgrade. It’s BAIC South Africa stepping forward with conviction, showing that innovation and affordability can live comfortably side by side. The brand’s ambition is clear: it gives South Africans more choice, more quality, and more joy behind the wheel.
Drivers looking for their next compact stylish, well-priced SUV may find the X55 Plus slipping onto their shortlists faster than I did on mine. BAIC invites South Africans to experience the X55 Plus S firsthand at their nearest dealership. Because once you feel the door close, slide into the driver’s seat, and take in the thoughtful touches that define this model, it becomes clear that this vehicle meets expectations.
