Is the Beijing X55 worth the hype?

We have been inundated with great cars coming in from China, and the Beijing X55 is no different. However, there are a few quirks and a few bugbears that might turn you off purchasing something like the X55. Perhaps I am being overly critical, but that is exactly what I am here for, right? There are many positives to this car as well, however. You will just have to watch the full video to get all the info you need in order to make an informed car-buying decision.
Go to www.julietmcuire.com for more and please subscribe to my channel.

[@Demertech]

I love this car, it's a tier above the jolion, even the jolion pro S ultra lux isn't as good. The top spec BAIC X55 top spec (premium) gets real leather, front parking sensors, tilting rear seats, heated and cooled front seats, electric lumbar support adjustment, rear curtains for the windows, ambient lighting, a better feeling cabin and a few more cool features at around R400000 which is impressive. The new X55 plus premium has 540° cameras, active quad exhausts, Adas, blind spot monitoring and more but it's around R470000. The BAIC has a way better drive than even the jolion S and the comfort is way better, they're also now including the service plan with the car instead of it being an extra and on the new plus you get a 7 year warranty and on the standard X55 you get a 5 year warranty with a 7 year engine and transmission warranty. Hopefully BAIC factory in South Africa starts actually building cars and hopefully they bring new models like the BJ30, X35, X75 and maybe the BJ80

[@jeroenjansen2709]

I drove this car today at Kyalami and I loved it! It feels sporty and solid and is very quiet. Your review is very negative. You mention the good points in a skeptical tone. I love the screens and the gadgets

[@SDav21]

I went to sit in one of these. I was so impressed by the interior quality. Really really good. It feels solidly put together and there's soft touch plastics even on the back doors. So much better than a T Cross and other similar cars. What I didn't like is that everything is controlled from the screen. Even the memory seats. That was super annoying.

[@matthewmoses3972]

I’ve have had this car for nine months now in the top spec model and have done 9400km on it so far and have completed my first service at 5000km a few months back. This car is truly incredibly fun to drive in my opinion, I do not have any issues with the infotainment booting up and find the infotainment system rather easy to use. Most cars coming in 2024 especially the electric cars are being released with the minimalistic infotainment system. I appreciate that it turns the music down while reversing as it helps me concentrate while reverse parking into tight spaces. The top spec model does have keyless entry and comes with heated and ventilated seats with ambient lighting too. The interior is also better in the top spec model then in the entry and mid spec model in this review. Only negative is the fuel consumption is high which is currently at 9.9l per 100kms

[@julietmcguire]

I concentrate just as well with the volume up or down ;) haha. Thanks for the comment, though. I love the feedback from owners!

[@G-Unit-f2x]

i come from a 2020 Renault Megane RS, bought the X55 in Feb ad i have absolutely no issues with the look feel drive just nothing, and i am very fussy with cars, who paid this lady to do such a bad review ?

[@SandiSeasTheWorld]

This gave me a better review than the vid thanks

[@msawakhemazibuko9508]

Bought Mine In December, Top Of The Range (Premium) I'm At +31,000kms Now And I Have No Complaints Primarily About The Car. I, However, Worry About Having 1 Cupholder At The Front. With Tech, After Service And All, I'm Satisfied. Driving, Comfortability, Performance Is Still Amazing For Me, (Considering The Price Of The Car). It Does Have Keyless Entry, Auto Parking, Hill Assist. Not To Forget About The Brakes Of This Vehicle, Truly Amazing. I Can't Comment About Fuel Consumption Because That'll Also Depend On Each Driver's Driving Style. With Me, It Doubles The Consumption Claimed By The Manufacturer, I'm Hard On Accelerator Especially When Taking Off And Driving On Highway. I Always Drive On Comfort Mode, I Assume Eco Mode Consumes Less, IDK, But Sport Will Always Be Ahead When It Comes To Fuel Consumption. To Sum Up, With Mine Sitting At +31,000kms I Have No Complaints About It. It's A Great Car And For Its Money. I Love It. If I Were To Crash This One Beyond Repairs, I'd Still Buy Another Beijing X55 (Premium).

[@uysvisser5328]

Thanks for all the comments. As a VW fan, and really thinking of going this way, I can’t help thing what is the trading in value?

[@trevorgeejhb]

Love the honest reviews - just a note, I agree, over R400,000 and no Android Auto or Carplay... That's just silly!!! I mean really, in this day and age... speechless

[@julietmcguire]

Crazy, right?!

[@ronaldvandermerwe4957]

​@@julietmcguireR400000 gives you this Beijing x55 it's worth the hype

[@danielbredenkamp3957]

It's Chinese...they can't use apple car play or android auto..probably licensing agreements which does not allow it...

[@nigelnaicker7948]

It has carbitlink which allows screen mirroring, u can use maps, music, even KZbin, it's not an issue at all.

[@Theperksofbeingmarcel]

They have Carbitlink - nearly the same. Including KZbin and Netflix etc on the screen while driving.

[@ZuluGirlInNewYork]

I’m living for these reviews❤❤❤

[@Libra67jtc]

The Chinese are making cars that are value for money and many cars much more expensive than the x55 have there controls on the infotainment system. The fuel consumption will improve once the engine has been driven in. In closing we need to change our minds about new brands and focus on what the car was built for VALUE FOR MONEY.

[@thabisomolapo6493]

Bad review, I bought this car and love it... Don't listen to her...

[@AquivaStar]

Thanks for the entertaining and informative review Juliet! It's good that we have more choice in the SA car market. I would love to see a video about after sales support and ownership stories with all these Chinese brands after a period...

[@julietmcguire]

Thank you for your comment :)

[@beverleygreen6125]

HI Juliet, I have bought the X55 Beijing in March and my screen doesn't take 49sec to load. Love the car and real fun to drive and very comfortable. No voice control, but you can just swipe the screen down you can manage the screen quite well. Also don't understand why the radio has to be turned down when reversing LOL. Fuel consumption is very high especially in sport mode. I drove the Cherry 7 and then this, I preferred the drive in the Beijing more.

[@julietmcguire]

I wonder why the screen took so long. It was every time I started it from "cold." So if I was in and out of it throughout the day, it would come straight on. But in the morning or if I had it standing for a while, then it would take that long. Odd! But it is not the only car to do this

[@beverleygreen6125]

@@julietmcguire maybe it was in ECO mode 🤣

[@ArChi285]

OF COURSE, AUDIO SHOULD BE TURNED DOWN WHEN REVERSING FOR SAFETY REASON, WHICH YOU CAN FIND ONLY IN CHINESE CARS I GUESS.

[@wilhelmbarkhuizen]

Why do all the Chinese cars have the same inefficient 1.5 engine, and How can a car with such terrible economy win a local best of award?

[@ozzi4627]

Awards are 90% non-credible for any aspect not just cars. I wonder why this specific engine is the only option in these cars across the brands Haval,Cherry etc. I owned a VW VR6 and the economy was 60% of the time less than 8 L/100km and that is a 2.8 V6. Regardless of tech in the car, the fuel comsumption is 50% the pruchase reason (for non performance cars that is) Makes my wifes' Tiguan 2.0Tdi at 6L/100km with less power but more torque seem like a gem.

[@Theperksofbeingmarcel]

@@ozzi4627it’s a German engineered Engine from a company called „Meta“ near my home, close the most famous engineering University in Aachen (15 minutes drive). They are well known here. It has German standard testing and lasting cycles etc. so you can be sure: It’s good. I had the 5th Generation X55 (the shown one is the 7th Generation) for 550.000km with no major issues.

[@Demertech]

It's actually a very efficient engine after the 5000km service, for some reason Chinese cars have high fuel consumption when new but I know 2 people with BAIC X55 and both are sitting at around 7-7.5l/100km after about 8000km on the clock which is better than my mom's Suzuki vitara brezza which was advertised as being fuel efficient. Chinese cars don't all use the same engine though, BAICs engine was designed with Meta (a German company) and it is very similar to Mercedes 2.0 litre turbo engine, it is also the first production car in the world to feature a VGT turbocharger which helps with reliability, efficiency and power delivery with extremely low turbo lag. The BAIC drives way better than Chery or Havals, this review was very negative. Haval uses a modified Toyota 1NZFE architecture engine, they bought the rights for the engine from Toyota and they added a turbo to it for the H2 and jolion and changed some things for emissions and longevity. Chery engines are designed by Acteco and they are okay but not great. I think Chery cars will be the most unreliable, Haval will be the most reliable and BAIC will be in between. I've heard of jolion with 300000km which is good and I've heard of BAIC X55s with 200000km. I think Cherys cars will last to 150000-200000km, BAIC will last to maybe 250000-300000km and haval will last to maybe 400000km. This is speculation based on the engine testing I've seen and reports from other countries, Chery cuts too many corners under the skin, go look at a disassembly of a chery next to a disassembly of a haval, haval has way better quality underneath, they are similar to Toyota in terms of design.

[@Demertech]

​@@ozzi4627to be fair to this car after the 5000km service fuel consumption drops a lot, I know 2 people who have it and both are sitting between 7-7.5l per 100km

[@dbose1978]

I always watch your reviews. I was looking forward to this one as I really like the car. I feel given all the other reviews on this car that you are overly critical and negative. Always good to get input from actual owners who has been living with the product some time.

[@maluza-6021]

I agree as well. You sound like you dreaded doing this video.

[@elijahthelightning.6704]

I also do not understand why attitude when giving reviews, I think she is unfair on this one.

[@Theperksofbeingmarcel]

I had the 5th generation, now the 7th and i just loved it.

[@rishaalsoni8337]

This is a very good review 👏🏻 I appreciate her honesty and blunt input. She said it like it was and gave people some useful information to think about. Nothing was negative she was just being factual. The high fuel consumption is a complaint across the board and this is going to be a major drawback for most motorists. This brand desperately needs a Diesel engine option else the brand won't last much longer 🤔

[@lesediseemela9856]

I'm not buying a car with climate controls in the screen. We live in a country with potholes, and gravel (with me being a village boy) that screen is constantly in danger. So if it goes off, I've no climate control? It's ridiculous. The car is pretty decent nonetheless.

[@v_isforvictory9366]

Thanks for an honest review!!!

[@Harpy-24]

Rad review, again, Juliet. Thank you. Looks like a Peugeot. That gear stick was probably designed for left hand driving market and they got lazy for us and Aus. Have a rad one

[@zimmyar]

Thank you 🤩 most people that reviewed this car didn’t mention how useless the infotainment screen is … also I would still prefer my aircon in buttons 😢… overall it’s a best buy I love my car ❤

[@BruceMcgregor123]

Thank you for the honest review

[@adriaanserrao2016]

My biggest problem with this car is also to do with the infotainment. The fact that there is no apple carplay or android auto. For that reason i won't buy one yet. Currently driving a 2021 kia sonet so waiting so see what comes in the future from Beijing.

[@maluksd6537]

I believe that's due to sanctions preventing use of google and apple software products on Chinese products.

[@adriaanserrao2016]

@@maluksd6537 the problem is specifically with the Huawei developed infotainment systems, currently the only cars using those systems are baic and proton.

[@Theperksofbeingmarcel]

It has Carbitlink :) nearly the same

[@jordanwilliams4958]

Really love what the Chinese are doing. Haval. Cherry and Beijing. It also proves how other car manufacturers are robbing their customers with pricing, i.e VW Polo, where in 2023, still comes with a base 5 speed manual at at almost R350k.

[@jeromemausling6324]

Juliet, which of the Chinese brand cars and model is your favorite and you would recommend? Haval? Chery? BAIC? ... And why?

[@R1Zig]

The Chinese are definitely putting forward every single SUV they can think of for our market, and why not? Excellent value for money. But.....as I've mentioned many times before when you do reviews for Chinese vehicles, they have similar 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engines in all of their vehicles. They are lagging behind their European counterparts in terms of power-train development. Not saying it's a bad engine or unreliable, what with million kilometer warranties and so on, but it needs to be brought on par with the competition. Until then I won't consider buying any of the 1.5 liter powered derivatives available in multiple Chinese brands.

[@seanfenwick]

Not one will make million km

[@R1Zig]

@@seanfenwick Agreed, but their warranty extends to that now, so if you're the original owner they will have to honour the warranty for 10 years and a "million" kilometres regardless. No other manufacturer offers that. The catch is that the warranty is not transferable to the second owner of the car. Sounds like a good car to use as a Taxi/Uber/Bolt if you bought from new.

[@p.cookie4169]

@@seanfenwickWho the hell drives 1 million in a car anyway. probably ridiculous poeple like you

[@africanandproud6792]

It’s funny cause , smaller SUVs like the Mazda CX30 give you almost identical fuel economy results. The Chinese cars fuel economy woes are greatly exaggerated.

[@zimcoder]

Someone did not have coffee this morning, I expected a review, but I got whining instead.

[@muhdisha2694]

Women..

[@farainyika2365]

go watch something else

[@sanelemkhwanazi8151]

Looks great but you've looked down far to many times for my liking meaning everything isn't as it should be in terms of usability can you imagine someone that actually uses their phone whilst driving an absolute mess car crash waiting to happen

[@zanebosman625]

Can you do the Mercedes-Benz A 45 S AMG 2023 model

[@prakashnarismulu3332]

Gear lever set up for LHD

[@marianodecanha822]

One of the most honest reviews ive seen on these cars, thank you for your honesty we need more journalists like you so the consumer can make more informed decisions.

[@rintintin_]

Fantastic review! this completely lost me when I heard no Android auto and CarPlay 🙆🏾‍♂️

[@nigelnaicker7948]

The car has carbitlink, it allows screen mirroring, so everything works just fine, maps, music , even KZbin on the infotainment screen. No idea why she didn't mention it. I use it everyday. It's perfect.

[@kabelobrian4540]

​@nigelnaicker7948 hi, thanks for the mention of this feature...I want to know if this feature is projected on the entire screen or not.

[@rintintin_]

@@kabelobrian4540 if you’re seriously considering buying it and if CarPlay is a make or break, I’d just go test it out at the dealership tbh because projecting a screen is not the same user experience and is definitely worse

[@seanfenwick]

The Chinese shine is wearing off. I bought my daughter a 2013 peugeot 308 that still looks and goes amazing. I doubt any Chinese car will look good in 10 years after SA use.

[@africanandproud6792]

There are many 10:year old Havals on our roads , and they seem to be doing great .

[@seanfenwick]

@africanandproud6792 and how do they look? Also if they have 300000km on them and what was the cost of keeping them to that point?

[@bradmallett8698]

When will you review the Jeacoo J7 ?

[@julietmcguire]

Oooh I am waiting for one on test!

[@MohsinWadee]

So if it doesn't have Android Auto or Carplay, does it have built in navigation? Guessing not, that is a pain.

[@Theperksofbeingmarcel]

It has Carbitlink

[@louis-markqabazi5696]

Love you in your dungaree. Remind me of former art students.

[@nhlanhlathamae502]

It does have key less entry

[@zaaimanmbb]

They made small but important mistakes, only one cup holder in front. Other than that, it looks beautiful.

[@pandapanda8215]

Hmm I saw 2 cup holders today 😊

[@nigelnaicker7948]

How did i miss your review. U are like my little annoyed inner voice 😂, the screen boot up annoyed me today . I'm at around 8000 kms in the top spec, waaaaaay better interior then this one. However, you moaned abt the android auto and apple carplay, the system does have carbit link, i use it everyday, screenshares my phone to the car, family even watches youtube on it whilst i drive lol. No issues there. The drive sold me on it, i had bmw 118i with 125kw and 300+ torque, that car used to avg 11l to the 100, this car does as you say 9 to 10, so i don't mind it. Also the performance specs on this car is 30% more than the jolion, and tiggo 7, you would have to compare it to the H6. Don't regret buying it.

[@julietmcguire]

Yay, this kind of feedback makes me so happy.

[@nixprivate3471]

Watched half of this great review - not wasting more time on this technological nightmare ! No AppleCarPlay ? What the actual ??

[@MasterAppels]

It's weird that they would not include satnav while not supporting Carplay or Android Auto.

[@denverpillay4643]

your review was very negative and you are wrong about some of the features of the car, for example it does have keyless entry. i suggest you do your research before reviewing a car instead of just jumping in and driving it without knowing about the features of the vehicle. very unprofessional review

[@StevenSilverstone-qv6px]

Yet to see one on the road .do they have parts availability in case of body repair.Friend who owns a panel shop told me the chinese cars,Haval snd Chery are a nightmare with parts. Msybe it has inproved.I am old fashioned and prefer the old knobs still from a safety point. The fuel consumption consumption of these Chinese cars are way too heavy and if you take the savings on fuel over years it may not be so bad to go for a nire expensive competitor ..I am in market soon for new car and at present my choice is the Kia Sonet

[@BrandonRC1]

Juliet... you were way too angry. You need to sing, that's what is wrong😂 (unless the sound system is junk.) As a serious thing. Why don't you put your phone into the instrument cluster(speedometer area) Landscape and make your google maps like that of Audis virtual cockpit. Connect the phone through Bluetooth and away you go?

[@julietmcguire]

hahaha thanks for this Brandon. Your suggestion about the instrument cluster sucks though ha ha ha, I have done this before and many a time it has slid out when I turn a corner. It is the manufacturer's job to do better I say hahaha

[@BrandonRC1]

@julietmcguire I never promised that it would be great advice😂. 100% but you would expect (or at least they should) do market research. The competition would naturally give you an insight into what they believe the market for that segment would expect outside of ones own research. Android auto and granny smith's car play is just an expectation now. But that load time is ridiculous.(general rant) You can add auto boot closing for most new cars... 5 to 12sec to close only for it to bounce back. It's a job no one needed to be automated...

[@AndrewduToit]

Have you been to a dealer?

[@jivantakirstenpillay6128]

So much Tech yet no Carplay and Android auto, wow.....doesnt even make sense. Wonder who is the target market ??

[@Nighywolf1199]

Bought a brand new Chery Tigo 7 and it went well until a horrible noise on the wheel at 20 000km. They could not fix it. Sold it sadly. Now I’m scared of the Chinese brands. Also mates Tigo 4 said “gearbox failure” on screen before first service. Was so disappointed. 2 for 2 sadly.

[@nigelnaicker7948]

What about the 1 million km warranty?

[@tashenpillay8961]

Non adjustable head rests for the seats is a deal breaker.

[@SauRoNZA]

The lack of CarPlay is literally why I won’t bother even going for a test drive as I know I’ll never buy it without that.

[@Theperksofbeingmarcel]

It has Carbitlink. Nearly the same.

[@pandapanda8215]

You can use wireless will be the same like carplay

[@SauRoNZA]

@@pandapanda8215 I don’t want “like” CarPlay I want the real thing. And no, it’s nothing near as the same thing.

[@pixterful]

Where is the singing? Besides you being different to the other reviewers, I always turn to you for the singing. Wat gaan aan?

[@kevinnev]

Lol even though you always sound like you are about to wring someones neck in your own channel, I actually enjoy your Honest opinion. So I gather Rather spend The odd R400k on a Corolla X or a low Mileage CX5? Great review as always.

[@MohsinWadee]

My wife complains when I complain about stupid motorists. I think we can both agree all cars should have an auto-eject feature for backseat drivers.

[@mrblack299]

It looks like a tesla interior. The steering, the seats... The screens... I'm telling you, the next one will be much better

[@BobyourUncle]

No manual gearbox option - not interested... These manufacturers really need to stop ignoring those of us who actually enjoy driving...

[@christiangoosen3598]

We've BEEN waiting for this. 🙄😂

[@julietmcguire]

YAY! I hope it was worth the wait ;)

[@christiangoosen3598]

Always!

[@vish1807]

I actually bought one and I regret it. The software on that vehicle is the worst. It might look good on the outside but inside terrible. I think Haval Jolion is a much better buy , this don't even have Apple Car Play or Android Play , and that's now basic in all cars. It Lacks alot of features which the other cars offer you for the same price.

[@nigelnaicker7948]

Hey man, I also bought one, it has carbitlink which allows screen mirroring. How long have u had yours? Iv had mine for almost a year now, top spec one.

[@MasterAppels]

I hate it when the infotainment takes forever to boot up to a usable state, which is especially bad here since so much of the car's controls are done trough it.

[@cleverpete1]

Seems that the Omoda would be a better buy ? 🤷‍♂️

[@Bless_Mabunda]

Omoda has Less power and more expensive

[@nakomcoki8446]

Omoda it's great,

[@MzwandileHarmans]

I have never heard nor seen a car screen loading 😂

[@ashleysambo4104]

How the hell Baic made a car i 2023 with Apple car play or Android auto 😑😂😂

[@elijahthelightning.6704]

Thats not fair at all

[@Mark_Anthony_africa]

The car would have had android auto if it was not for the ban on huawei by the US and EU it runs on huawei OS

[@malfan]

Lost interest the second you said there's no Android Auto and the year is 2023.

[@kaktusking6185]

You are def good, I like you.

[@belindagantz5129]

I've been waiting for this review for so long. Made up my mind, don't buy Beijing😂

[@nigelnaicker7948]

Not so fast, 😂... I have driven 8000kms in this car. Yes the tech is a bit annoying, however, it's super spacious and it does have carbitlink which let's u share your phone screen to the car, so maps , music even KZbin work just fine. The top spec is red genuine leather aswell with ventilated and heated seats. The car also has 30% more power than the jolion and tiggo 7. It is incredible value for money. Yes Juliet is right about the infotainment system taking long to boot up, I would also prefer some physical buttons. However this is head and shoulders above it's competition. This is not a paid comment 😂

[@MrKagiMoni]

No Apple Car Play or Android Auto, come on man

[@vish1807]

I agree also about the screen and half time it stays in Chinese doesn't go too English. I would not recommend this car to anyone. Working with that screen and its software you going to get frustrated.

[@mambo5014]

What a negative review of such a great car.

[@ScissorN]

Hating on a car is mad business 😂 shes a hater

[@irenee800]

Lol 🤣🤣 this is a hilarious review

[@Patshes]

Beijing?.......China.?......how much more Chinese do you want?!

[@tt0527]

Your review is bad, I own one, 2024 model elite spec, better than what was driving. I had an A4 2.0TFSi 2016, and was a German cars fanatic but now, will never buy German brands ever again

[@yassinhoyassine912]

A lot talking without benefit

[@osks]

What an incredibly poor presentation! Very unprofessional!

[@julietmcguire]

I proudly call myself an amateur ;)

[@yani0728]

Hey bra😂

[@MGMSACADEMIC]

This a completely negative review and it shows that you Juliet do not like the car and your negativity is surely prejudicial towards Chinese as people and towards their brands. I get a sense of demeaning the Chinese in your reviews. Such negativity😮

[@fransmarais3754]

Downright dangerous car. You took your eyes off the road umpteen times just to check where you were supposed to be going?

[@samansaman2520]

You are beautiful.. I love you ❤🌹

[@johansmith9054]

Hey bra hahahaha ya bikes are the worst