Changan CS85 Review: Affordable Coupe SUV with Impressive Features

Introduction

After a long wait, the day has finally come when I had the opportunity to drive the Changan CS85. This is a truly special day as I will be driving the most affordable coupe SUV in the market. Let’s find out if it lives up to its price tag of AED 131,000.

Driving Experience

I have driven quite a few Chinese cars over the past few years, such as Chery, Haval, GAC, and Hongqi, but I can immediately tell you that the Changan CS85 is different. Not only does it have an attractive appearance and a plethora of features, but it also offers an exceptional driving experience.

The power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that generates 233 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. For those wondering if these numbers are good, I would say that the horsepower and torque exceed that of a Volkswagen Golf GTI.

The eight-speed automatic transmission, which delivers power to the front wheels, is manufactured by AISIN, a company known for producing gearboxes for premium brands such as Lexus, Lotus, and Porsche.

Changan has not compromised on any part of this vehicle; even the wipers come from a reputable manufacturer, Bosch. The front brakes feature ventilated discs to enhance braking performance, and the McPherson Strut suspension system is finely tuned to absorb road bumps.

Driving Features

• Adaptive Cruise Control: This system works wonderfully, keeping you centered in your lane, with smooth acceleration and braking. The best part is that it fully understands its surroundings, displaying nearby vehicles and their distances on the digital dashboard, much like the system used by Tesla.
• Parking Assistance: The vehicle is equipped with 360-degree cameras that provide a virtual view of your surroundings, along with parallel and perpendicular parking features that allow you to park without even touching the steering wheel.
• Remote Control: You can park this vehicle or pull it out without being inside. Simply start the car with the remote, press the parking button, and choose whether to move the car forward or backward.

Interior

When it comes to the interior, many believe that Chinese cars are subpar and poorly built, but that is certainly not the case here. The red and black color scheme beautifully complements the dark exterior, giving a sense of durability. The speaker covers are made of metal, and nothing rattles or makes noise.

The leather seats are extremely comfortable, offering heating and cooling features. The driver’s seat can be adjusted electrically in eight ways, while the passenger seat has four-way electric adjustments. There is also a dual-zone climate control system, allowing the driver and passenger to set different temperatures for the air conditioning, along with a 12.3-inch touchscreen entertainment system that stands out on the dashboard.

Rear space is better than one might expect from a coupe SUV, offering ample headroom and legroom, especially for adults. Additionally, there are air conditioning vents, cup holders, and a USB charging port.

Features

In terms of features, it boasts almost every imaginable option, from a panoramic sunroof and ambient lighting to keyless entry and an 8-speaker audio system. There is also a Mirror Link feature that allows you to connect your phone to the entertainment screen, along with a front camera that lets you record your drives and save them to an SD card.

Regarding safety, it includes the previously mentioned adaptive cruise control and 360-degree cameras, but also features a forward collision warning system, autonomous emergency braking that activates if the driver does not respond in time, a blind-spot monitoring system, and a lane departure warning system.

Exterior Design

Now I know you are all thinking about it, so I’ll just say it: yes, this Changan model does resemble the BMW X4 from certain angles. At the front, there is a very unique design with plenty of chrome on the grille and front bumper, surrounded by a set of automatic LED headlights and LED daytime running lights.

For those who aren’t fond of the black exterior, it is also available in red, purple, blue, or gray. Our test vehicle comes with 19-inch alloy wheels painted black. There are many sharp lines on the body that make it appear wide and robust, and at the rear, there are wrap-around LED lights and four genuine chrome exhaust pipes below the bumper.

Final Verdict

When we think of televisions, Chinese companies like Hisense and TCL have made a strong impact in the market. When we consider laptops, companies like Lenovo and Xiaomi have a significant presence. In mobile phones, brands like Huawei and OnePlus are influential. What I gather is that Chinese companies have built a strong reputation across various industries, and if they continue to produce standout vehicles like the Changan CS85, we will soon hear much more from them in the automotive sector.

Priced at just AED 131,000, the Changan CS85 is a real wake-up call for Japanese and Korean automakers who seem to dominate the market, as the equation will inevitably shift in the coming years.