Changan CS55 Plus launched: A lot of kit for its Php1.179-M starting price

If you've never heard of Chinese carmaker Changan, its newest crossover is a good place to start.

Changan Motor Philippines Inc. launched its CS55 Plus on Nov. 11, 2022, and is poised to take on the likes of Geely Azzkara and the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro.

The first thing that strikes you is the edgy styling, with a huge front grill with slim LED headlights and large lower bumper vents.

Down the side, it's almost like looking at a Lexus with its traditional beltline and small rear-quarter windows. Only the discreet fender trim and the black plastic wheel-arch cladding provide a hint of sportiness to it.

The rear of the CS55 Plus is yet another reminder of Lexus, with large taillights and a traditional tailgate. Standard 19-inch alloy wheels and splashes of red around the car give it a sporty flavor.

Another funky feature is the third brake light, which looks like a pair of rubies sitting proudly on the tailgate spoiler.

Futuristic interior

Step inside the CS55 Plus, and you will find an even more radical interior than the exterior.

You get a tiny steering wheel, akin to racing cars, facing a fully digital, 10.25-inch gauge cluster.

The clean dash also has a nicely integrated 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system hooked up to a six-speaker Pioneer sound system. The screen also displays various views from the 360-degree camera.

Another nifty design feature is the floating center console that houses the blocky gear selector. 

Strong engine, plenty of safety tech

Under the CS55 Plus' long hood is a turbocharged 1.5-liter, twin-cam, 16-valve inline-4 gasoline engine pumping out 188 PS and 300 Nm of torque.

All this power is coursed through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission held off the ground by the fully independent suspension. The fronts get a MacPherson setup, while the rears use a multilink setup.

The CS55 Plus also comes with a wide variety of active safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. 

Since the CS55 Plus is still a tall car, it comes standard with stability control and rollover mitigation to ensure that the crossover's shiny side stays upright.

There are three variants of the CS55 Plus with the following prices:

• Lite   – ₱ 1,179,000

• Hype – ₱ 1,283,000

• Luxe  – ₱ 1,373,000

What do you think of this new Chinese crossover contender? Will its styling and features be enough to sway you away from Japanese brands?