The 2025 Festival of Motoring played host to the first public reveal of BAIC’s latest midsize contender, the all-new B30 SUV. With bold styling, a spacious interior, and a choice between petrol and hybrid powertrains, the newcomer looks set to challenge favourites like the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan when it goes on sale locally in November.
Size and styling
Comparable in footprint to South Africa’s most popular midsize SUVs, the BAIC B30 makes its presence felt with confident lines, generous ground clearance, and a design that aims to balance weekday practicality with weekend adventure appeal. It’s an SUV that wants to look as at home in Sandton as it does on a gravel road heading out of town.
Petrol and hybrid power
BAIC will offer four B30 derivatives when sales kick off. Two will feature a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 138kW, while the other two bring hybrid power into the mix. The hybrid line-up pairs the same petrol engine with electric motors, with outputs peaking at an impressive 301kW in the flagship all-wheel-drive version. Pricing is expected to start at around R550 000, topping out at roughly R700 000 for the AWD hybrid.
A tech-rich interior
Step inside the B30 and you’re greeted by a cabin with plenty of modern touches. A fully digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch infotainment screen dominate the dashboard, while comfort is boosted with dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof.
Practicality hasn’t been overlooked either. The flat-folding front seats add a dose of versatility that’s bound to appeal to families, campers, and weekend adventurers.
Ready for South Africa
The BAIC B30 is scheduled to officially launch in November, with local assembly to follow at the brand’s Coega plant in Gqeberha. With a growing line-up that already includes models like the B40 Plus and X55 Plus, the addition of the B30 underscores the company’s ambition to establish itself as a strong value-driven alternative in the local SUV market.
