The CS75 Pro’s clean, understated styling gives it a mature road presence without trying too hard.
Image: Supplied
Following in the footsteps of its Chinese compatriots Chery and Geely, the Changan brand is the latest “comeback kid” to hit the South African market with a revitalised line-up that is a far cry from the humbler products it was once known for.
From the striking new Uni-S compact SUV to the racy-looking Deepal S07 electric crossover, the Changan brand has some upscale ambitions, but it has not forgotten its value focus. This is particularly true for the CS75 Pro that we recently tested, though there are a few caveats.
Unlike the box-fresh Uni-S, the CS75 Pro feels like an update of an older-generation product. This is evident in certain areas, such as the shape of the mechanical gear lever and even the lack of drivetrain refinement.
But what it lacks in modernity, the CS75 certainly seems to make up for in value. Available in five-seat and seven-seat configurations, it is priced from R429,900 to R499,900. This is for an SUV that’s larger than a Nissan X-Trail and almost as vast as the Volkswagen Tayron — at nearly half the price.
It may not turn heads like newer rivals, but the CS75 Pro still looks confident and contemporary.
Image: Supplied
Though not quite a head-turner in the same vein as its Uni-S and Deepal siblings, the CS75 Pro is a handsome contender in our book, with understated yet elegant design details that are easy on the eye.
The interior has also been modernised, with a horizontally layered dashboard clad in soft-touch materials, and a modern 10.25-inch infotainment screen, with a matching digital instrument cluster built into the dashboard. Most ventilation functions can be controlled via dedicated digital controls on a large horizontal touch panel situated below the main screen. This is definitely a lot less distracting than having the controls incorporated into the touchscreen.
However, the infotainment system is not the most user-friendly in the business and it lacks Android Auto and Apple CarPlay functionality, forcing owners to use a third-party screen-mirroring app. The cockpit area also lacks storage space for items such as your phone.
Material quality is a strong point, with “microfibre” trims adding a premium touch.
Image: Supplied
On the upside, the upscale materials and “microfibre” leather make the cabin feel plush and premium, and the front seats are also impressively comfortable.
There’s a great deal of space too, given the vehicle’s generous dimensions. However, like its size rivals such as the X-Trail, it’s more of an occasional seven-seater, and squeezing teens into the back row will result in middle-row occupants sacrificing their legroom too.
Accessing the third row can also be a bit of a pain, as the middle-row seats only slide, lacking a tumble function that many seven-seaters offer nowadays. Boot space, even with all three rows in place, is sufficient for a few large shopping bags.
Standard appointments are generous, with the flagship CS grade featuring a sunroof, electric tailgate operation, voice control, a 360-degree around-view monitor and driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and emergency braking.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbopetrol engine that delivers 135kW and 300Nm to the front wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Although it is, by all accounts, adequately powered, the powertrain suffers from notable turbo lag on pull-off, which can lead to moments of frustration when trying to slot into gaps in busy traffic.
Fuel consumption in our test car averaged 11.1 litres per 100km in an urban-heavy mixture of conditions.
Other than that, it offers a relatively refined driving experience, with a smooth and comfortable ride and good noise insulation. The steering, of course, lacks feel and feedback, but that is par for the course in modern SUVs.
The CS75 Pro makes a strong case for itself with generous space, solid equipment levels and impressive value for money, even if it lacks the polish and modern sophistication of newer rivals. It’s a comfortable, practical family SUV that feels a step behind in refinement, but still delivers where it counts for the price.
IOL Motoring