With price-conscious purchases becoming more commonplace in South Africa, how does the BAIC X25 fare as a family vehicle? We look at the space, safety and running costs of the BAIC X25 to ascertain whether or not it is suitable for families.
BAIC is not a particularly well-known brand in South Africa but it has considerably more presence than one would think. Of the Chinese brands available in South Africa, it is the one with a plant in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape. This plant deals with the assembly of SKD (Semi Knocked-Down) vehicles, a final assembly of working machines, as well as a manufacturing plant. One of the model produced locally is the compact, crossover SUV the X25.
This affordable offering is retailed through a number of dealerships locally with prices ranging from R219 990 to R249 990. The model is offered with one engine choice, an 85 kW and 148 Nm naturally-aspirated (non-turbo) 1.5-litre engine and in two trims with a choice of either manual or automatic transmissions, giving you a range of four variants to choose from.
Space
The X25 shares the playing field with the likes of the Ford EcoSport and Mahindra XUV300, possibly even the Renault Kiger although the latter is lacking in the engine department. and the EcoSport is the pricey alternative and if you’re stretching that far you can consider the Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Start looking at the Hyundai Venue as well. Either way, the X25 has a competitive specification and is similarly sized.
BAIC claims that you get 500-litres of boot space, however, we feel that the usable space is considerably less than this. The X25 is not all that small though and measures in at 4110 mm long, 1750 mm wide, and 1545 mm tall. The body style does provide a little more shoulder room for adults but rear legroom is still slightly compromised, especially if the passengers are on the taller side of things.
Safety
The last thing you want is to be loading your precious cargo into a vehicle that is lacking safety. The X25 looks after its occupants by providing both driver and passenger airbags. 2 airbags may seem a little thin in this day and age but when compared to the rivals, the Kiger is the only one to offer 4 airbags. The X25 is also fitted with anti-lock brakes and for the youngsters in the rear, ISOFIX mounting points. Rear doors are also fitted with child safety locks to prevent them from exiting the vehicle when in motion.
Furthermore, the X25 is fitted with LED headlights and fog lamps and all models have Park Distance Control with higher-spec Fashion variants enjoying the addition of a reverse camera. Remote central locking is both a convenience and safety feature as is the inclusion of a multi-function steering wheel and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing the driver to travel with fewer eye-diverting distractions.
Fuel Economy
With current fuel prices being what they are, frugal fuel economy is a prerequisite in this day and age. The BAIC X25 sports a 45-litre fuel tank and as there is only a single engine option, the variation in fuel economy only comes from the gearbox in question. BAIC claims an average fuel consumption on the combined cycle of 6.5 l/100km for the manual versions while the automatics fare a little worse at 7.2 l/100km.
If you’re able to hit the targetted fuel consumption, the anticipated range of the X25 is 692 km for the manual gearbox models and a little less for the automatics. These are claimed to be able to achieve 625 km from a single tank. Expect to pay in the region of R1150 for a refuel, as of August 2022.
Verdict
The BAIC X25 is a viable competitor in the budget crossover segment and offers similar spec to its rivals. Spending a little more won’t always guarantee that you’re getting more for your money in this case and the X25, we believe, is a suitable family car if the budget is a little tighter. While the attractive pricing of the Renault Kiger and Suzuki Ignis may initially seem appealing, they fall short in either the engine of space department and may prove to be inconvenient for families with older children.
One will have to keep in mind the limited dealer network at this current stage if you’re considering the X25 as your next car but this to is changing as BAIC continues to open new dealerships extending past major city centres.
Chad LückhoffWith over 18 years of motorsport commentary and a passion for 90s Japanese Sports Cars, Chad Lückhoff is happiest when surrounded by drift cars and smoking tyres. His experience as the Technical Editor of the country’s top tuning magazine means that it’s the nuts and bolts of motoring that tickles his fancy. As comfortable in front of the camera as he is behind it, he’ll take you behind the wheel with his video reviews, written recounts, and invoking photography. One of the first to join the AutoTrader fray, Chad has been living his passion at AutoTrader for over 7-years.View News & Reviews
Keyword: Is the BAIC X25 good for families? Here’s our verdict.