It seems Changan is quite into sporty crossovers lately, having unveiled the CS85 Coupe just a few months ago, which shares the same engine range as the CS75 Plus.
EXTERIOR:
The new Changan CS75 Plus looks pretty bold and looks great, because the huge air intakes, the narrow headlights, which are pinched like eagle eyes, and the large Lexus-style grill definitely attract attention on the street, and if you compare it with a staid VW Tiguan, it becomes clear how sporty the new China SUV looks at the front.
Intricately-styled alloy wheels, a dual-exhaust design, chiseled hood and massive grille. We also like the headlight graphics, which extend all the way across the front fascia. That front end, with a chunky single-slat grille that carries the company name, is aggressively styled, the profile is nicely proportioned and the rear gets a tailgate spoiler, and even a diffuser.
Functional or not, it gives this SUV a sporty character. It even has LED taillights, while the brushed aluminium trim on the front and rear bumpers and the chrome dual vents are nice touches.
From the side, the Changan then looks like a conventional SUV until you can see the taillights that are drawn far into the side, which are even more styled than those of a Lexus IS, but reminiscent of those of the Japanese sedan.
At the rear, the show continues, because the third brake light mounted on the roof spoiler is in Formula 1 style and the dual exhaust pipes, which are surrounded by chromed tips, as unfortunately known by many manufacturers today, ensure you Wow effect on the already sporty and stylish SUV. As is well known, the details make for a good and sporty design, because the basic shape of an SUV cannot be changed too much, and the scope is very small.
INTERIOR:
The dash has a modern design and in its middle resides a 7.0in infotainment system, which is intuitive and clear (but sadly, it doesn’t have sat-nav). The interior looks relatively well put together with what appear to be soft-touch surfaces spread throughout the cabin.
Also, while it may seem like it at first, that giant infotainment screen is actually two separate screens angled towards the driver. The AC does an excellent job in cooling the large five-seat cabin within seconds, and it also has an electronic parking brake (with auto-hold function), an eight-speaker audio system (with USB and AUX), a multifunctional steering, sunroof, and front and rear sensors with a pretty sharp reversing camera.
Competent design, decent space and comfort is what you require, and that’s what you get. It has a very usable and spacious luggage compartment with handy rear light and power supply, and extra bins beneath the floor. The rear seats are split-folding and recline-adjustable, there’s good space in the back with A/C vents and power supplies. The only thing missing are rear seats pockets.
ENGINE and PERFORMANCE:
The 1.5 turbo puts down 178 HP and 265 Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque and is coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, That’s not much, and as a result you have to time your overtaking manoeuvres to perfection. Merging with faster-moving traffic can be a close call too, but on the move, it’s very smooth, quiet and refined. What’s more, it has a claimed fuel-efficiency of 8.8 litres per 100km. The ride is soft and it soaks up all the road imperfections with ease; the Macpherson struts in the front and multi-link independent suspension in the rear have been tuned for comfort, so when pushed in the corners, the CS75 showcases a bit of body roll. The electric power steering is very light and makes getting in and out of tight spots a cinch and, overall, Changan’s SUV is rather likeable — but don’t take it off-road; for now, the model is only available with front-wheel drive. China gets a proper 4x4.
Though I must say at low speeds, the transmission gets way to moody and does what a CVT transmission is known for.
VERDICT:
Previously I’ve not found the notion of testing Chinese cars very appealing at all, and that’s the honest truth. And the reality was we didn’t feel it necessary either. The “made in China” tag has a way of making people scrunch up their noses in disapproval. That doesn’t apply to this impressive SUV. With ample room and comfort, a very smooth ride and some useful kit, this is a really good SUV. Our Elite top trim tester, with a sharp grey paint job and matching wheels, had loads of presence about it too, with the headlights and their blue rings in particular catching a lot of attention.
We always said that when regular consumers – ie you, our readers – started putting their own hard-earned into the ownership of Chinese cars, we’d start looking at them. Frankly that shift is now becoming apparent, so it was time to brave unknown waters. I can see that for the money, and considering the practicality, kit and yes, and specially the looks of the thing, it would appeal to a lot of potential owners.
It stands out and gets on with the day-to-day stuff without a fuss. At this rate, Chinese cars in the not too distant future may just leave an even bigger mark on the auto industry. In terms of price, the new CS75 Plus starts at around PHP 1,290,000. If you ask me, thats a competitive price to put on a luxurious/spacious and good-looking crossover. I could definitely see myself having one of these in my own garage.
Photos By: Glover Reselosa
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