Another day, another attractive Asian crossover at an even more attractive price! Let me tell you a few quick facts about this Changan Uni-S.
You should know: Quite unbelievably, the company’s roots go back to 1862, thereby pre-dating Benz, Peugeot, or any other of the pioneering car makers. However, it started out by producing weapons and only switched to building automobiles in the 1950s. But for a Chinese car brand, a 75-year history is nothing to be snuffed at!
More info: I’ll spare you the decades of history leading up to this Uni-S, but can report that it’s actually called a CS55 Plus in its native market, and recently arrived on southern African shores in its third (or second face-lifted) guise. With dimensions of 4,539mm length, 1,680mm height and 1,865mm width, it perfectly fits the modern crossover mould.
What else: Have I already mentioned how handsome the Uni-S is, especially when coated in this Shadow Grey metallic? Other crucial dimensions for crossover buyers include the 475L cargo area, 51L fuel tank, 167mm of ground clearance, an 11.3m turning radius, kerb weight of 1,505kg and a maximum payload just shy of 400kg.
Why you shouldn’t: Power comes from a 1.5L turbo-petrol 4-cylinder with 138kW or 300Nm driving the front wheels via a slightly stroppy 7-speed DCT. Changan claims 7L/100km from the 51L tank, top end of 190 but no 0-100 figure. Our best of three attempts, after a minor gearbox explosion, was 8.8 seconds.
Changan is banking on this to be a sales champion but I can give them the ultimate ZA sales tip, free of charge: Get. Black. Leather. 99% of your prospective buyers will run from this comfy and swish interior, calling it salmon if you’re lucky and “binneboud” something else if you’re not.
Why you should: There are three Uni-dash-S trim levels – CS, CL and CE – priced from R389,900 to R469,900. That is ridiculously good value, especially if you factor in the generous standard specifications, including many of the latest infotainment gadgets, safety equipment and luxury trimmings.
Conclusion: The tech inside this Uni-hypen-S is amazing, there’s no volume knob but a lekker big glass roof, the window switches work back-to-front and, despite three settings, the seat heaters only seem to have one intensity.
Each new Unnies is sold in a choice of five colours with a 5-year/150,000km warranty and five years or 90,000km worth of service plan.
FULL SPEC LIST
| Engine: | 1,494cc in-line 4-cylinder turbo-petrol |
| Transmission: | 7-speed DCT, FWD |
| Max. Power: | 138kW @ 5,500rpm |
| Max. Torque: | 300Nm @ 1,600rpm |
| Avg. cons.: | (claimed 7.0L/100km) |
| 0-100km/h: | 8.79 seconds (no claim) |
| Top Speed: | 190km/h (claimed) |
| List Price: | From R389,900 |
