Test Drive of the Changan CS35 Plus: Pros and Cons of this Urban Crossover.

The Changan brand is relatively unknown in Ukraine, yet it stands as one of the leaders among Chinese automakers. For instance, the new electric vehicle from this brand has become a relative of the new Mazda 6. This makes it even more intriguing to test the urban crossover that features a unique design and is priced lower than most of its competitors.

With Interesting Touches

The exterior of our test subject incorporates a blend of trendy design elements. The driver is greeted by narrow daytime running lights and a separate main headlight unit. There were concerns that this arrangement might lead to quick "soiling," but this is only likely on dirty winter roads or if following another vehicle too closely. As long as the fully LED headlights remain clean, they perform well, providing a focused beam that illuminates the road effectively at night.

The rear lights are connected in a continuous LED line. Chinese designers have also opted to add bright red accents to the body. This choice looks quite striking on darker cars, but on a red vehicle, it quickly fades from memory.

The claimed ground clearance is 180 mm. While this is not a record-breaking figure, it is sufficient for navigating most urban road obstacles. It’s important to remember that the vehicle is only front-wheel drive.

Overall, the car's appearance is quite interesting and does not resemble models from other global manufacturers, which is still a common occurrence among Chinese brands. Some might confuse the brand's logo with that of a Japanese manufacturer, but in general, the vehicle showcases a trendy exterior design. The base model comes with 17-inch wheels, while our test vehicle is fitted with 18-inch tires.

Is There Balance?

Inside, the driver is welcomed by a large front panel, and the central tunnel snugly "envelops" the body, creating a certain sense of kinship with the vehicle. Of course, nothing feels cramped, but it’s also not possible to completely relax in the seat. The materials used for the interior are quite good, and the central console is angled towards the driver. Most of the panels surrounding the front passengers are covered in soft materials, while the rear row has more hard plastic.

However, the main aspect that deserves praise for Changan's designers is their healthy conservatism. Like many competitors, the CS35 Plus features two displays in the cabin: one for the instrument panel and another 10-inch screen for multimedia and climate control.

For convenience, many essential functions can still be controlled via analog buttons on the central console and steering wheel, rather than hunting for them in the depths of the multimedia menu. Additionally, the system boasts a user-friendly and logical menu that operates swiftly, although the "button" for heating the windshield must still be searched for within the "depths" of the digital menu. On longer journeys, the absence of Apple CarPlay support was somewhat felt, but Bluetooth partially made up for it, allowing for music playback from the phone and answering calls.

It’s worth noting that the top-tier CS35 Plus model includes heated seats even for the rear row. However, the climate settings can sometimes be tricky to manage in cold weather—setting it to 20 degrees may feel cold, while 21 degrees can be too warm. Overall, the second row offers ample space, even though the wheelbase of 2600 mm is not record-breaking. Rear passengers benefit from a foldable armrest and air vents. The seat heating button is the only one for the entire bench.

The trunk, in its standard position, can hold over 400 liters of cargo. Folding down the rear seatbacks opens up more than 1100 liters of space. There’s also room underneath the floor for a temporary spare tire.

Surprisingly Agile

It’s pleasing to see that the Changan CS35 Plus, despite being the entry-level crossover in the lineup, maintains its quality—its 1.4-liter TGDI turbocharged engine, producing 150 horsepower, works excellently with the seven-speed automated transmission, responding adeptly to the accelerator pedal. However, the non-linear response depending on the pedal's position is noticeable: sometimes it feels like 50% of the dynamics is concentrated at the start of the pedal's travel.

The engine provides sufficient power not only in the city but also on the highway, with the transmission operating smoothly and quickly in various modes. Additionally, the crossover is very engaging to drive, aided by a well-tuned adaptive electric power steering and a fairly stiff suspension that minimizes body roll in corners. The vehicle also features a sport mode for the transmission, which holds lower gears until redline but can shift with noticeable jolts.

Uneven provincial roads revealed that the suspension has a "bouncy" character, but in a good way. The chassis is resilient and effectively absorbs bumps and cracks in the asphalt without allowing for excessive lean. However, the steering feels intentionally less informative to discourage sporty driving behavior. You can drive it that way, but it’s not necessary.

Regarding fuel consumption, on the highway at 120 km/h, the vehicle consumes up to 7 liters—6.7-6.8 l/100 km, depending on the frequency of overtaking and the aggressiveness of accelerator use. In the city, it’s reasonable to expect consumption to increase by about a liter. Interestingly, the manufacturer permits refueling with "92" octane, but during the test, we opted to use "95" octane to take advantage of the turbocharged engine.

Price Point

In the Ukrainian market, the Chinese crossover Changan CS35 Plus is available with one engine and transmission, offered in two trim levels: Comfort and Luxe. The "Comfort" trim is priced at 752,400 UAH. For this amount, drivers receive cruise control, a 4-speaker audio system, climate control, a digital instrument panel, light and rain sensors, and more.

For an additional 28,800 UAH, customers can opt for the Luxe version. Key differences include adaptive cruise control, emergency braking system, collision warning during forward movement, wireless smartphone charging, power-adjustable driver’s seat, and more.

Pros and Cons of Changan CS35 Plus

Strengths of the Changan CS35 Plus

• Affordable pricing
• Dynamic character
• Subtle and unique design
• Effective LED lighting

Weaknesses of the Chinese crossover

• Lack of engine options
• No Apple CarPlay support
• Delay in rearview camera activation