Modesty is a beautiful thing when there’s nothing else to decorate — that’s what we can say about our test drive hero. This compact crossover turned out to be more adequate and cheerful in behavior than its big brother, but unfortunately lacking in charm.
I know that you don’t like stories about Chinese cars, but this is our reality, and it’s worth getting to know them in more detail. We have already met one representative of the Changan brand — the mid-sized CS55 Plus, and now I present to you the smallest in the model range — CS35 Plus.
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You can’t call it handsome, and it’s impossible to choose a more or less decent adjective. In my opinion, the crossover has a mediocre appearance, vaguely reminiscent of the VW Tiguan, and is not very memorable. Sometimes in a large parking lot, you have to remember exactly what your car looks like. The bright color doesn’t help either because there are so many reds out there. The bumpers and sills have red plastic stripes of a wholly different shade. On the test car, they are lost and completely lose their meaning, but a different body color will look much more impressive with them.
If you put two Chinese people next to each other, not every European will be able to tell them apart. And I’m not talking about cars. But it’s the same with cars. Let’s put a Chery Tiggo 4 and our Changan CS35 next to each other and immediately feel a kinship: the same red color, the same strange appearance. But the Changan CS35 wins this comparison due to its solidity, and the mystery of the emblem, which some people confuse with the Acura brand.
Our hero has been on the market since 2018 and underwent a complete renovation in 2022, so he came to us in the second generation, having received the Plus prefix. It appears that Changan hasn’t decided on names. They have separated models with advanced technologies into a separate Uni — line, and left the simpler versions with the usual code name. We have yet to get acquainted with the flagship of the — line, the Uni-K crossover, but for now, we have to take a closer look at this compact.
We are offered two configurations: Comfort and Lux. One of them for 860,000 UAH ($21,234) looks a bit beggarly, while the other is quite rich and costs a thousand dollars more — 899,000 ($22,197). But even here, you won’t find decent features that have already become an integral part of every new car, such as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Changan CS35 Plus can be considered a competitor to Chery Tiggo 4, Haval Julion or Jac JS4. The price category is close, the quality is about the same, as is the saturation of equipment. Judge for yourself whether Changan CS35 can stand out among them. In any case, the segment is quite saturated. Pay a little more and you can easily take a Suzuki Vitara or Renault Captur. Kia Stonic and Nissan Juke also fall into this category, not to mention Skoda Kamiq or VW Tiguan.
The Changan CS35 can take credit for its fresh appearance and a fairly decent history of the brand itself, albeit so far only in China. Nevertheless, the design and development of models is being carried out in the company’s European offices. The second generation, instead of the atmospheric 1.6-liter engine, received a 1.4 turbocharged gasoline engine with direct injection. It works in conjunction with a 7-speed robotic dual-clutch DCT transmission. Sounds like a familiar combination? It’s very similar to the VAG kit. Only it works a little differently than we are used to.
The engine produces a peak power of 150 hp and has a torque of 255 Nm. Of course, these are not the best figures, but according to the manufacturer, the crossover accelerates to the first 100 km/h in 11 seconds. Will you say that this is slow? Perhaps it is. However, torque is available from 1500 rpm, which allows the Changan CS35 to be quite agile.
The crossover shows all its abilities at the start. The ultra-sensitive accelerator pedal, like that of other brand representatives, makes you think about some deeper idea of the engineers. I have not been able to figure out what exactly, nor have I been able to calculate the effort with which to press the gas at the beginning of the movement. Such an unrestrained jerk at the start resembles the wildness of a horse that has been standing in a stall for a long time and is already eager to break into the quarry and run without stopping. So you have to restrain such impulses all the time. Starting at a traffic light will resemble a game with a car: who will be the first to react.
The strangest thing is that after such an impetuous start, all this agility disappears somewhere, and the horses seem to run away. The box still can’t find a common language with the engine. When overtaking or accelerating at speeds over 100 km/h, you have to wait until the «robot» remembers which gear to downshift. Shifting to another driving mode, which is hidden in the dashboard settings, can help. Until you find it, you won’t need to accelerate, so you can use the lever to shift to S mode and work as you would with «mechanics».
Fuel consumption will remain at the level of 7-8 liters per hundred kilometers if you find the optimal communication with the accelerator and the engine does not scream. If the driving is vigorous, then get ready for an increase in consumption.
Nevertheless, it is the Changan CS35 compact that behaves more dynamically and predictably on the road compared to the older CS55 and is better controlled. The steering wheel is clearer and more resilient, and the car’s feel comes much faster. Here, the suspension configuration is segment-appropriate: independent at the front and semi-dependent at the rear. It’s a sturdy and practical design, and it’s tuned to our roads: it goes over bumps with elasticity, works out and smoothes out excessive sway. There is little body roll in the corners, and it is more pleasant to drive this crossover dynamically and cheerfully.
Don’t count on off-road capabilities, although the crossover has a decent ground clearance. It allows you to avoid clinging to curbs and drive easily on gravel roads or drive to the river through the forest.
The Chinese clearly regretted installing adequate adaptive cruise. You can call it semi-adaptive because the car keeps its speed well and even keeps the distance to the previous car, but it will neither remind you to leave the lane nor stay in it. It’s hard to fully trust such a system, so it’s better to keep an eye on everything yourself.
It’s also important to mention the rather sensitive Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system. It will often remind you of an obstacle ahead if you are driving dynamically and cheerfully. The system works like an anxious passenger, afraid of a rapid approach to an object. And the interface language is only Russian or English. It’s sad to have such a «under-adaptation» to the market.
As I mentioned above, the infotainment system does not support Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The only way out is a Bluetooth connection while driving. At least, you can listen to music and make calls without touching the phone. It’s good that there is wireless charging. It’s conveniently located on the side so you can put two phones on it. The connection is forceful and quickly connects the phone when you are in the car.
There is also a Chinese function of mirroring the smartphone screen on the central display. To do this, you will need to follow the QR code and download the application. You can connect to the car and set up routes, or whatever else you need. However, the control takes place only on the smartphone, so you need to pick it up. And it’s better to turn the screen to horizontal orientation immediately, otherwise it will be difficult to see anything.
Despite the extensive list of equipment, you won’t find much useful here. The top features include an armrest, cupholders, a multifunctional steering wheel, and even air deflectors for the rear row, which, as it turns out, will not be available in the starting package. But among other things, there are the necessary passive safety systems, assistants when driving up or overhead, and so on. Plus six airbags.
For the first time in a long time, I smelled the aroma of a Chinese car, or eco-leather, as it is now fashionable to call it. The seat upholstery is partially rubberized, and you will have to stick to it constantly in the heat. Otherwise, the interior does not stand out with any features: the usual geometry of the console, slightly turned to the driver, in the center is a 10-inch touchscreen monitor of the infotainment system, which smoothly turns into the same large dashboard screen. The cupholders are deep, the armrest is not adjustable, upholstered in eco-leather of a nicer quality than the seats. The stitching is red and even, as are all the gaps.
In general, there is a style here, albeit a bit outdated. The interior has been done much better. Even the metal inserts look nice and emphasize the sculptural smoothness of the lines. Minimal shiny plastic, more soft upholstery. And only at the back is mostly that coarse-grained plastic, which can be scratched rapidly.
It’s nice that the climate control is placed on a separate panel below the monitor and is controlled by keystrokes. It’s quick and convenient, given that it will be very difficult to set an adequate temperature. In automatic mode, the air conditioner just blew non-stop. I got the impression that the temperature sensor was not working. I hope this is a one-off situation, but you should pay attention to the climate when choosing a car.
The steering wheel has a scattering of information and multimedia control buttons, and you can change the settings on the dashboard here as well. There are not many options, but the graphics are colorful and clear, and there is enough information.
The seats are more comfortable than in the CS55, with a longer and wider seat. It’s still difficult to adjust to driving, and you have to reach for the steering wheel or move the seat closer, which makes the angle for placing your feet uncomfortable. And the adjustment is strange: there is a button that allows you to move the seat forward or back, but the rest of the settings are mechanical. The passenger seat will have only mechanical adjustments. It’s nice that the steering wheel can be adjusted both in height and reach.
Rear passengers are provided with plenty of legroom, and the roof is designed to be high and not overhang your head. Only the rear seat is too narrow and may be uncomfortable for a tall person. A panoramic sunroof, folding seat armrest, USB and rear vents provide a lot of fun and comfort for rear passengers.
Enough space was left for the luggage compartment. There is up to 403 liters of space, with an additional toolbox and a deeply hidden spare tire under the floor. You can fold down the backrests of the rear sofa and get a large space, which the manufacturer indicates as 950 liters, but it seems to me that there is much more.
To be honest, this crossover leaves an ambiguous feeling. On the one hand, it has a modest appearance, a slightly strange behavior, and a small set of technological features, but on the other hand, it is a practical, affordable crossover for every day. It is quite spacious in the cabin, given its compact size, and can accommodate the whole family and decent amounts of luggage. The suspension has a great deal of strength, and the driving experience is easy and enjoyable.
PROS: comfortable suspension, handling, dynamic behavior, spacious and comfortable interior.
CONS: not adjusted operation of the gearbox and engine, too sensitive accelerator setting, lack of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
| Body, type | SUV |
| Dimensions (LxWxH), mm | 4330/1825/1825 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2 600 |
| Declared ground clearance, mm | 180 |
| Trunk volume, liters. | 403/950 |
| Curb weight, kg | 1465 |
| Engine | 1.4T |
| Power, hp (kW) | 150 (110) |
| Torque, Nm | 255 |
| Type of drive | front |
| Pendant | Macpherson/semi-dependent |
| Transmission | 7DCT |
| Dynamics 0-100, s | 11 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 200 |
| Fuel consumption, l (mixed) | 7,6 |
| Cost, UAH | 860 000 |
| The cost of the test car, UAH | 899 000 |
| Competitors | Chery Tiggo 4 (786 476 UAH) |
| Haval Jolion (UAH 997,000) | |
| JAC JS4 (UAH 765,000) | |
| Skoda Kamiq (918 280 UAH) | |
| Suzuki Vitara (UAH 939,000) |