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Is this the game changer you've been waiting for? The Changan CS55 Plus

If you’re waiting for a car that will drop your jaw, perhaps the Changan CS55 Plus is the car you’ve been waiting for.

Earl Lee
Changan CS55 Plus AutoDeal Car Of The Week

There was once a time when you had to pay through the nose to get the best features, comfort, design, and quality in a car. There was once a time when going for Japanese or European cars could net you the features and the performance on paper that you wanted. Now, however, it’s not the same case, as Chinese cars have come a long way since their copycat days, and they’ve gone their own route in the industry. 

One brand that has carved its identity is Changan. The Chinese brand has quite a number of notable models in the lineup so far, but the one we found particularly interesting was the CS55 Plus.

Changan CS55 Plus Front Quarter

If you’ve noticed, Changan is on a roll with their design department, fielding car after car that all have high levels of appeal, especially for budget-conscious buyers. There was once a time when cars at certain price points didn’t evoke a sense of premium or a sense of joy. Changan could likely change that notion with the CS55 Plus since its pricing in the segment doesn’t speak of how stylish the crossover is, but more on that later. 

When we first laid eyes on the model, we thought that it would give its other rivals a run for their money. Other models in the category don’t seem to have the sharp and aggressive lines that the CS55 Plus has, and we’re quite stunned by the model’s front end, especially. The grille is massive and gives the car a good amount of visual interest and appeal. We’re also a fan of what Changan decided to do with the accent colors, putting gold on some variants and red on others. In some regards, you can say that the car takes a bit of inspiration from Lexus with its grille and the shape of its headlights, but that’s not totally the case since the brand put its own spin on it to a certain degree. The thing is, the only other way you’re going to get a vehicle that is similarly designed to one of the premier premium brands out in the market today is by going with said brand. Changan, however, begged to differ. 

Following that, it’s an all-LED affair for the model in the front end and the back end. Changan spared no expense to deliver the latest and greatest LED technologies available in the market today for its headlights and taillights. The result is a look that will allow the car to shine even in the darkness of a dimly lit road. 

Now, is it a game changer? We feel that it’s a notable model, but the design alone could only sell a few cars. People want substance, and we’re happy to tell you that the model does have quite a bit of substance under the hood and inside the cabin. 

Changan CS55 Plus Engine

The CS55 Plus takes from one of Changan’s powertrain options and puts it in a package that is capable enough for most daily tasks and drives out of town. The Changan CS55 Plus is equipped with a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the motor in the CS55 Plus creates 185 hp and 300 Nm of torque, way more than most other 1.5-liter equipped rivals out in the market today. On top of that, you also get a seven-speed DCT in the mix, which performed fine as per our testing. 

Driving the car is also a pretty great experience with the four-cylinder delivering decently-smooth power throughout its rev range, and with the ADAS on board, you will find that long drives are so much easier with the car, especially on the highway. The chief feature here is the adaptive cruise control, which makes the car a bit autonomous. Of course, you need to keep your hands on the steering wheel for absolute peace of mind, but the task of slowing down or speeding up based on the car in front of you can be handled by the radar system itself. On top of that, you may also notice the blind spot monitoring system should you end to change lanes. “With great power comes great responsibility,” as the saying goes, and the CS55 Plus has a decent amount of power and weight to it, but the additional safety features help shoulder the responsibility of driving. Traction control, stability control, ABS, brake assist, hill hold control, hill descent control, rollover mitigation, and rear parking sensors are only the tip of the iceberg for this model. Fully loaded and ready to drive, it’s well-equipped for any journey. 

Changan CS55 Plus Rear Quarter

What good is all that power if the car isn’t comfortable? The unibody chassis of the CS55 Plus is built for that, and the frame is built well and sprung by a set of coils and dampers that were well thought out for Philippine roads. The MacPherson Strut in the front coupled with the multi-link in the rear means that this car has a fully-independent setup that’s just waiting to absorb any and all road imperfections. It could very well be one of the smoothest rides you’ve encountered at this price point. 

Changan CS55 Plus Interior

As a five-seater, the CS55 Plus opens up a level of refinement that is not typically seen at this price point. Everything is more or less at par with its rivals, if not better in a number of regards. The CS55 Plus is by no means the most premium, but you can’t argue with the price that this vehicle is at and the amount of tech and features that you’re getting. Simply sitting in the leather seats is already enough to sway quite a number of buyers, and sitting at the back is just as enjoyable. Ample leg and headroom allow this model to achieve an air of comfort that even the more expensive cars in its class or otherwise can overtake wholly. It competes and punches above its weight in the segment and beyond and that’s what we were able to enjoy with it through our time with the car. 

You also get some of the best technology features available in the class, with digital everything, gauge cluster, and infotainment system, it’s a remarkable experience when these displays fire up. Apple users rejoice because the CS55 Plus comes with Bluetooth and wireless charging for audio and topping up your phone’s power, however, there is also an Apple CarPlay connectivity feature that lets you seamlessly connect and use the infotainment screen as an extension of your phone. 

Changan CS55 Plus Cargo Space

Being a crossover, it’s not an overland special, but it can get the job done for most drives around town and beyond the confines of the metro. With 171mm of ground clearance, you won’t have to worry about speed humps or potholes marring up the underside of the car. On top of that, you get a pretty generous turning circle of just 11m, which is to say that it handles smaller than you’d first expect. You can fit a lot of things in the back of this model, with 475 liters of space that opens up to 1,415 liters once the rear seats are folded down. A power tailgate is also available in select variants, so you won’t even have to worry about lifting or closing the rear door. 

Changan CS55 Plus Side

Sad to say, but it’s not totally changing the game for crossovers, but it is a field shaker of sorts. Changan dropped a bomb on the compact crossover segment with the launch of the CS55 Plus since it ticks a lot of boxes for consumers. For under P1,400,000, however, you might be hard-pressed to find a better deal from another brand. Other marques may offer similar specifications and refinement, but Changan seems to be offering a ton more tech and features for a price that is very tough to beat. 

Coupled with the look of a more premium vehicle, you have yourself a recipe for a potent challenger in the market. While it may not be changing the game right now, it’s definitely in line to be the next segment-defining model, hence a potential game changer. 

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