All-new 2023 Changan CS55 Plus starts at PHP 1.179M

After a series of teasers, the time has come to see the newest addition to Changan Motor Philippines Inc (CMPI)'s vehicle lineup.

Enter the 2023 Changan CS55 Plus, and boy is it a stylish-looking crossover inside and out with plenty of intelligent features to boot. Making its arrival at the Philippine market a year after its initial debut at the 2021 Shanghai Auto Show, Changan's newest model is set to take on the likes of the Geely Azkarra, Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, and the MG HS.

At 4515 mm long, 1865 mm wide, and 1680 mm high, the 2023 Changan CS55 Plus belongs in the compact crossover category. It has 177mm of ground clearance with a 2656 mm wheelbase. CMPI is offering the CS55 Plus in three variants – Lite, Hype, and Luxe, with each variant having different levels of standard equipment.

Let's start with its eye-catching looks. The front fascia is dominated by the huge grille with a checkered design that is finished in dark chrome for a dynamic 3D effect. It is flanked by a pair of sharp-looking LED headlights with daytime running lights and is complemented by side faux intakes that feature contrasting accents that vary in color depending on the trim level.

While the aggressive look can be found in front, the side profile takes a more subtle approach when it comes to styling. Chrome trims outline the windows, while the circular wheel arches house 19-inch alloys that sport a two-tone finish.

Meanwhile, the rear has a distinct spoiler design highlighted by the twin high-mount stop lamps. The LED taillights have smoked lenses with chrome inserts surrounding the turn indicators while the exhaust tips have chrome finishers to add a dose of sportiness to the crossover.

Step inside the CS55 Plus and you'll be greeted with a predominantly black interior, red trim accents, and contrast stitching on higher-grade variants. Changan seems to have followed Peugeot's i-Cockpit design with the shape of the compact steering wheel and the 10.25-inch LCD digital instrument cluster placed at the top of the dashboard. The center console houses a 12.3-inch touchscreen display for the infotainment system that has a smartphone Mirror Link function, voice command, and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

The premium sound system is courtesy of Pioneer's 6-speaker system, while the filtration system for the automatic air conditioning is courtesy of a PM0.1 air filter. Other interior amenities include a panoramic sunroof, a 360-degree camera with an HD driving recorder system for select variants, and a 15-watt wireless charging bay and two USB ports at the rear.

Cargo space is rated at 475 liters in standard configuration. But with the rear 60/40 seats folded, that goes up to 1,415 liters. In the Luxe variant, a remote power tailgate makes loading stuff at the back more convenient.

In terms of its powertrain, all variants of the CS55 Plus are powered by a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder Blue Core Turbocharged Gasoline Direct Injection (TGDi) engine that puts out 188 PS and 300 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm. It is paired with Changan's Blue Core 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission with Normal, Eco, and Sport driving modes.

The suspension is comprised of MacPherson struts in front with a multi-link system at the rear. Disc brakes are found on all four corners and come standard with ABS, EBD, brake assist, and Dynamic Brake Function (DBF).

Safety features of the CS55 Plus include six airbags, plus things like ISOFIX anchors and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). It also comes with the Changan Safe-Tech system with Smart Active Safety assistance features such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, and front collision warning, among others.

For extra peace of mind, every unit is covered by Changan's 5-year/150,000-km warranty. Available colors for the Changan CS55 Plus are as follows: Black Pearl, Fantasy Gray, White Knight, and Supernova Red.

Here are the prices of the 2023 Changan CS55 Plus and its variants:

CS55 Plus Lite – PHP 1,179,000

CS55 Plus Hype – PHP 1,283,000

CS55 Plus Luxe – PHP 1,373,000