2023 Changan CS55 Plus hits PH as latest compact crossover challenger

The 2023 Changan CS55 Plus arrives on our shores, as a culmination of the series of teasers that Changan Philippines has been posting on its social media page.

As the second generation of the Chinese compact crossover, the CS55 Plus is the latest contender in a segment dominated by the likes of the Toyota Corolla Cross, Honda CR-V, and Ford Territory. It will also be facing off against its compatriots from the mainland such as the Geely Azkarra and the MG HS. 

Exterior

The new CS55 Plus (also known as the CS55 Plus II in its homeland) measures 4,515mm long, 1,865mm wide, and 1,680mm high on a 2,656mm wheelbase. It echoes the same youthful styling of its slightly larger CS75 Plus corporate sibling, ultimately derived from the UNI-T compact and UNI-K midsize crossovers sold by Changan in China. 

The CS55 Plus exudes a dynamic character

A large, sweeping grille bearing the corporate emblem terminates in LED headlamps at both ends, accompanied by bar-shaped daytime running lights within the housing. Red accents at the corners of the front bumper and the side skirts convey a sense of sportiness to go with the dynamic aesthetics, offsetting the seriousness of the high belt line. 

The third brake lamp on top of the power-opening tailgate is a quirky touch

Wraparound LED tail lamps surrounding the power-actuated rear hatch feature the same horizontal bar motif found on the headlamps, accompanied by a quirky-looking high-mount third brake lamp integrated into the roof spoiler. Twin exhaust tips finished in chrome are integrated into the rear bumper. A set of 19-inch alloy wheels is standard across the range that comprises the Lite, Hype, and Luxe trim levels.        

Interior 

The cabin on the CS55 Plus offers leather-wrapped seating for five people, with standard 6-way power adjustment for the driver and available 4-way power adjustment for the front passenger. A large floating console between the front seats conceals storage and charging ports for convenience, being just one of 29 storage spaces found within the crossover. 

A floating center console houses the controls and convenient storage

Default storage space behind the rear seats is a generous 475 liters, further expanded to 1,415 liters by folding down the second-row bench. An electric panoramic sunroof up top lets more ambient light into the cabin, apart from having anti-pinch and rain-sensing capabilities. Unlike many brands that have one-touch up and down only on the driver’s side power window, the CS55 Plus offers the functionality for nearly all occupants.

Tech & Safety

Drivers take hold of a beefy square-shaped multi-function steering wheel, beyond which lies the fully digital 10.25-inch instrument cluster. This is paired with a 12.3-inch touch display infotainment system that offers Apple CarPlay and Mirror Link, patched to Pioneer premium speakers. 

Voice commands enable users to adjust settings for climate control and windows, among other features 

The CS55 Plus can also support voice commands not just for the multimedia system, but also for features such as the power windows and automatic air-conditioning that comes with a PM0.1 air filtration system. Three USB ports can be used to top up mobile devices, accompanied by an available wireless charging pad for compatible phones.   

Safety is placed on a premium with the CS55 Plus, demonstrated by the presence of six airbags, standard anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, and hill-hold control. Changan enhances this feature set with its Safe-Tech driver-assist systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane-keep assist, auto emergency braking, and traffic jam assist. 

The CS55 Plus brings rollover mitigation to the local compact crossover segment

And there’s still more, as the CS55 Plus also comes with a 540-degree panoramic camera array, electronic parking brake with auto hold, rollover mitigation and a built-in tire pressure monitoring system.       

Engine & Drivetrain

Powering the CS55 Plus is a 1.5-liter Blue Core NE15 turbocharged gasoline engine with direct injection, yielding 185 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque. This spins the front wheels through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with three driving modes. 

A 1.5-liter turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine sits under the hood

Ride quality is handled by four-wheel independent suspension comprising front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link assemblies, developed and refined at Changan’s U.K. R&D facility.

Pricing    

The 2023 Changan CS55 Plus carries a price tag of Php 1,179,000 for the base Lite trim, Php 1,283,000 for the midrange Hype, and Php 1,373,000 for the range-topping Luxe. All units will come with Changan’s 5-year/150,000-kilometer warranty. If the latest offering from Changan Philippines has caught your fancy, you can check it out at all authorized Changan dealerships nationwide. 

The CS55 Plus comes with Changan Philippines' 5-year/150,000-kilometer warranty 

Catch more new vehicles launching in our market at Philkotse.com.