Why BAIC's Beijing X55 Plus should be on your shopping list
The Beijing X55 Plus gets subtle design upgrades.
Image: Supplied
You need a mid-sized crossover for your family, so you look at the sales charts and see the Corolla Cross absolutely killing it.
It comes across as an affordable, no-nonsense crossover backed by Toyota's legacy of reliability. And it's not bad-looking either, striking the right balance between beefy and svelte, while managing to be almost entirely anonymous and vanilla.
But the anonymous, vanilla lifestyle isn't for you. You're still a bit edgy. You don't want a car that says, "I've resigned myself to a life of carting my kids around". You want a car that inspires you. You want to look back at it as you walk away from the parking lot and smile. You want to sit inside it and feel excited.
This is why you need the BAIC Beijing X55.
It's similar in proportions to the Corolla Cross – not too big, not too small. But it's sexy. The sexiest among the Chinese mid-sized crossovers, in my opinion.
And the facelifted 2025 X55 Plus model tightened up some of the loose ends the initial 2024 X55 model faltered on – better-designed, better-looking alloy wheels, a redesigned front and rear bumper with a new split diffuser and quad tailpipes finished in gloss black, an all-black interior (although I did like the outgoing read "leather" seats) and roof lining...
What's the interior like?
Inside it's a gorgeous, attractive, comfortable and spacious place to be.
The floating centre console and armrest leaves ample space beneath for additional storage – something Chinese vehicles and Volvos have managed to make such an obvious advantage, I now bemoan this lack of innovation in other similar SUV/crossover models.
The seats are reminiscent of AMG and Audi S seating – not surprising since the X55 was developed with Mercedes-Benz.
Bells and whistles? It's got all of them. You won't find a single piece of tech missing from the X55 Plus. The local dealers have even included an updated wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto aftermarket interface to aid with connectivity.
Yes, it is a bit of a faff to set it up initially, but thereafter, it's a cinch.
The driver's digital display can feel a little cheap, to be fair, but switch it over into night mode and it looks the business.
The Beijing X55 Plus is luxurious and comfortable inside.
Image: Supplied
What's it like to drive?
I'm not gonna lie – I've driven a number of Chinese vehicles and many of them lack some refinement. The steering can also feel a bit vague and the drivetrain and suspension feel disconnected from the road. Not here.
The X55 Plus has steering that is direct, throttle response and gearing that's better than many of the Japanese and Korean models I've tested, and noticeable changes in performance between the various driving modes. Unlike other cars, Comfort mode is actually the most pleasant to be in, while Sport can feel a little, dare I say, too aggressive?
The 1.5l turbo-petrol puts out 138kW and 308Nm, delivered through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission smoothly and in a linear fashion.
While the suspension is pliable, it manages to stay flat through corners making for a rather engaging driving experience; a breath of fresh air in this particular segment where driving dynamics don't feature high on the list of priorities.
While the manufacturer claims you'll do 7.7l/100km, I was averaging between 7.4 and 12...
Compare this engine and transmission setup to the 1.8l naturally aspirated 103kW Corolla Cross (90kW of combined power in the hybrid version) mated to a flaccid CVT, and the Beijing X55 Plus is the hands-down winner.
Practicality and good looks come standard.
Image: Supplied
Touch and Feel
Staying with the Corolla Cross, the door cards in the front and rear can feel a little cheap; hard, scratchy plastics that are good for hardiness and longevity, but detract from the overall experience of being inside one. The doors, and particularly the boot lid, can feel light and tinny, and the rattle the license plates on Toyotas makes when you shut the boot lid, no matter how gently, is just off-putting.
By comparison, the Beijing X55 Plus feels luxurious and plush inside, with soft touch materials everywhere, and the doors and boot lid close with a solid thud, rather than the Corolla Cross's tinny thunk. The automotive leather feels supple, yet hardy, and the seats are among the most comfortable and supportive I've been in.
Even the indicator and wiper stalks, gear shifters, and steering mounted controls feel like they were lifted from the solidly-built Mercedes-Benz models of the 90s.
And the best part? All this luxury and premium feel doesn't come at a premium price. The range starts at R429,900 and tops out at R514,900 (Corolla Cross starts at R414,800 with sparse features and goes up to R561,700 fully loaded).
Oh, and all models, bar the base Elite spec, come standard with a massive panoramic sun roof.
Beijing X55 Plus should definitely be on your option list if you're in the market for a mid-size crossover.
IOL Motoring