2022 Kaicene CX70 seven-seater SUV debuts with P879K price tag 

Chinese carmaker Kaicene is primarily known for its commercial vehicles, as opposed to its more premium Changan corporate sibling. This time, Kaicene Philippines is offering something that’s slightly more upmarket in the CX70, with which the carmaker seeks to undercut its current rivals and then some.

Kaicene is pitting its CX70 crossover SUV against established names in its segment 

Berjaya Auto Asia Incorporated (BAAI), exclusive distributor of Kaicene vehicles in the country, recently introduced the CX70 as a budget-friendly alternative to more popular family-oriented contenders in the segment. 

“The all-new Kaicene CX70 not only empowers families to move together, it also does so by being more affordable and more feature-rich than the competition,” said BAAI President Japheth Castillo. “The all-new Kaicene CX70 is a 7-seater SUV that is truly worth the Filipino families’ hard-earned peso.” 

Exterior

For dimensions, the CX70 measures 4,705mm long, 1,800mm wide, and 1,775mm high on a 2,780mm wheelbase. These numbers effectively dwarf current mainstream favorites Mitsubishi Xpander Cross, Toyota Rush, Honda BR-V, and Suzuki XL7. Where it falls somewhat short is in its 180mm ground clearance, by far the lowest of the lot. 

The design language borrows heavily from nameplates in pricer categories  

The CX70’s exterior might look oddly familiar, featuring design cues easily found on more expensive (and iconic) nameplates. Halogen projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights flank a mesh grille sporting the Kaicene emblem to one side, while the linear foglamps hover over the blacked-out front bumper. 

A pair of strong character lines defines the profile, bridging the prominent wheel arches that house 17-inch alloy wheels. The rear-quarter windows just beyond the thick C-pillar blend right into the rear glass. Wraparound LED taillamps frame the tailgate, with rear fog lamps accompanying the faux skid plate down below.    

Interior

Inside, the CX70 offers room for up to seven occupants, with seats wrapped in thermoplastic polyurethane complemented by real contrast stitching. The multi-function steering wheel is rendered in leather, while soft-touch surfaces on the dashboard, doors, and armrest exude a premium ambience. Those who prefer more ambient light on their drives will appreciate the large sunroof overhead.

Chrome trim and soft-touch surfaces accompany thermoplastic upholstery

There’s a dedicated cargo space at the back by default, expandable by tucking in the 50:50 split-fold rear seats. For more demanding carrying requirements, the second-row bench also folds 60:40, resulting in an incredible 3,810 liters of usable cargo space. 

Tech & Safety

An electric power steering (EPS) system should make the CX70 a breeze to maneuver despite its size, while the instrument panel features circular analog gauges surrounding a multi-information display. The central touch panel between the central vents incorporates an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as controls for the climate control system.

The central display includes controls for the airconditioning

The CX70’s safety loadout is just about what one can expect in this category, comprising dual airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, stability control, and hill hold control. Seven seatbelts are standard, as well as ISOFix anchor points. Apart from the reverse camera and sensors, Kaicene has also included a blind-spot camera right under the passenger side mirror.  

Engine & Drivetrain

Powering the CX70 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine good for 148 horsepower and 230 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic with manual mode that delivers power to the rear wheels. 

Under the hood lies a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine 

With its image of marketing commercial vehicles, Kaicene is clearly positioning the CX70 for both work and play, with a monocoque chassis buoyed by MacPherson struts in front and coil springs at the back. 

Pricing 

The Kaicene CX70 comes in a single trim level which retails for Php 879,000, bringing a 3-year/100,000-kilometer warranty. Parts and services will be covered by BAAI’s network of authorized dealers nationwide, where interested customers also get a chance the view the latest crossover SUV in the metal. 

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