Changan Nevo Q05: efficiently speedy

The local electrified crossover segment in the Philippine market has been heating up for quite some time now. And for a while, we’ve seen our roads become the home of various examples of the BYD Sealion 6 DM-i and the Toyota Corolla Cross HEV. 

On that note, other brands have been trying to catch up in the hybrid crossover game, one of which is Changan Philippines. 

So, at the 2025 Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), the Inchcape Philippines-managed company rolled out the all-new Nevo Q05 plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Globally, it falls under Changan Nevo, Changan Auto’s contender for the premium PHEV and range-extended market. 

On that note, the Changan Nevo Q05 has a lot to offer on paper. But how does it perform in real life? Here’s what we found out when we borrowed the crossover’s SE variant for a week. 

Powertrain, driving

If the Changan Nevo Q05 has a crown jewel, it has to be its powertrain. To be exact, it uses a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with an electric motor, an 18.4-kilowatt-hour battery, and a dedicated hybrid transmission. 

At maximum, the model can churn out 212 horsepower (hp) and 330 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque, which is a respectable amount of oomph when compared to its competitors. 

Sure, it is powerful, but users of the Nevo Q05 can seamlessly switch the vehicle between hybrid mode and range-extended vehicle (REEV) mode. Under hybrid mode, both the motor and combustion engine work together to drive the car. Under REEV mode, meanwhile, its four-banger functions as a generator for its battery. 

In hybrid mode, acceleration feels abrupt. In REEV mode, it feels like a true electric vehicle (EV) with instantaneous torque - without the disadvantage of range anxiety. 

While using either mode, the Nevo Q05 also proved to be very economical. In mixed city driving, the vehicle returned an incredible 22.7 kilometers per liter. Mind you, the author used the crossover to travel every day via traffic-ridden Commonwealth Avenue and the equally tight and chaotic East Avenue in Quezon City. 

To note, the vehicle comes with a squarish-shaped steering wheel, which takes a bit of practice to use comfortably. On the other hand, we appreciate the fact that Changan provided the Nevo Q05 with a familiar lever-type gear shifter.

All control surfaces relevant to driving are also easy to find, but the one deal breaker in this department is the touch-capacitive buttons for its air-conditioning system. Simply put, physical buttons will always perform better. 

As mentioned, the Changan Nevo Q05 gets up to speed quickly, but it doesn’t dive or squat. It also has an imperceptible amount of body roll when taking corners. Steering also felt direct and very responsive during city driving. Otherwise, it felt a little too sensitive at highway speeds. 

For its other electric vehicle (EV) components, the model comes with a Type 2 charging port and a regenerative braking system. The said Type 2 port only provides slow alternating current (AC) charging, but in using the crossover for eight days, the author didn’t feel the need to plug it in since the engine and the regenerative braking do well enough to recover range. 

For reference, the Changan nameplate comes with an electric-only range of 125 kilometers (km), according to the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle. Its total range, meanwhile, clocks in at an impressive 1,215 km. 

Exterior

Style-wise, the Changan Nevo Q05 comes off as elegant, as far as first impressions go. The model’s front face looks slick, thanks to its closed-off grille, while its side portion appears well-proportioned. We also like to commend its minimal use of black plastic claddings and chrome. 

The rear, on the other hand, looks way busier compared to its front end. Sure, some might like the double high-mounted third brake lights and the complex-looking LED taillights, but it somewhat clashes with its graceful-looking front end. 

Otherwise, the exterior of the Changan crossover covers everything that you’ll need in Philippine conditions. It has power-folding and power-adjustable side mirrors, keyless entry, automatic and follow-me-home headlamps, front and rear fog lamps, and it even has a sunroof to light up those dreary rainy season journeys. Completing the look of the vehicle is a set of 18-inch alloy wheels, which come in a neat two-tone design. 

Size-wise, the Changan Nevo Q05 is 4,539 millimeters (mm) long, 1,865 mm wide, and 1,680 mm in height. The aforementioned means that it fits squarely in the compact crossover segment. 

In terms of ground clearance, the Nevo Q05 has 171 mm to work with, and that’s more than enough for potholes, speed bumps, and the occasional rough, unpaved road. 

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Interior

Step inside the Changan Nevo Q05 and you’ll be greeted by a stylish five-seater cabin, which, as mentioned above, gets additional points for its familiar and easy-to-use arrangement. Some measure of eye-candy and “premiumness” also comes from its abundance of soft-touch surfaces and faux stitch patterns on the dash and interior door cards. 

Everyone inside is kept cool by an automatic climate control system with rear vents, while its seats are upholstered in leather. For the driver’s seat, finding one’s preferred position is done easily thanks to power adjustability combined with a tilt and telescopic steering column. 

For the wide-bodied 5 foot and eleven-inch author, the front seat and rear cabin both provided ample room for heads and elbows. The front seats in particular are quite supportive and cozy, thanks to their generous bolstering. 

Handling onboard entertainment and navigation for the Changan Nevo Q05 is a 10.25-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The said screen is paired with a 10-inch digital gauge cluster. 

Both of the aforementioned screens functioned well. They were quick to respond to inputs and are sufficiently legible even under the glare of the sunlight. During our time with the test unit, we made extensive use of its wireless Android Auto, which worked swimmingly well with no random disconnects. Moreover, the six-piece Pioneer speaker set provided excellent sound quality, with good clarity and bass punch. 

Unfortunately, the Changan Nevo Q05 we borrowed was the entry-level SE, so it didn’t come with a wireless smartphone charging pad, which could have paired well with its wireless phone software. Nevertheless, its USB ports worked well enough. 

There’s also the fact that the model utilizes shiny black plastic for many control surfaces. After mere hours of use, the touchscreen’s side bezels are marred with smudges. The same goes for the piece framing its dual cupholders. 

Ready to purchase a brand-new Changan Nevo Q05? Click here to view exclusive offers from Zigwheels Philippines.

 

Safety

Safety-wise, the Changan Nevo Q05 comes standard with six airbags, anti-lock braking, stability control, parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat anchors, speed sensing door locks, an engine immobilizer, auto-hold, and tire pressure monitoring - among others. 

When it comes to advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), the SE trim doesn’t get much, but it still has cruise control, a built-in dashcam (needs a memory card to work), a 360-degree view camera, and an automatic park assist feature. 

For reference, the top-spec iD variant gets adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, and autonomous emergency braking.

Changan Nevo Q05: specifications

Model	Changan Nevo Q05 SE
Exterior
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,539x1,865x1,680
Wheelbase (mm)	2,656
Ground clearance (mm)	171
Wheel size	18-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	10-inch digital gauge cluster Tilt and telescopic steering column Electronic parking brake Drive mode selector Push-to-start button Ambient lighting Sunroof Front cabin center armrest Six-piece Pioneer sound system Front seat power-adjustability Automatic climate control
Infotainment system	10.25-inch infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	Five
Powertrain
Engine	1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Transmission	Dedicated hybrid transmission
Horsepower	212
Torque	330 Nm
EV components	Type 2 AC charging port 18.4 kWh battery Regenerative braking
EV-only range	125 km
Total range	1,215 km
Technology
Safety	Six airbags Anti-lock braking Stability control Parking sensors ISOFIX child seat anchors Speed-sensing door locks Engine immobilizer Auto-hold Tire pressure monitoring
ADAS	360-degree view camera Automatic park assist Cruise control (non-adaptive)
Price	P1.259 million

Final thoughts

While its entry-level trim is light on ADAS features, a lot of potential buyers will see the Changan Nevo Q05 as good value for the money. It has a peppy powertrain that can provide a very engaging drive, a respectable amount of creature comforts, and a stylish exterior to boot. 

Those qualities go over the fact that the model starts at P1.259 million for the SE and P1.449 million for the top-of-the-line iD, positioning it as a very accessible electrified crossover in a market that was beginning to warm up to the idea of driving a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. 

So, do you like what you see in the Changan Nevo Q05? If yes, then do take the time to visit the nearest Changan dealership, because who knows, this might just be the model that will finally get you into the world of electrified mobility. 

Also read:

Changan Uni-T: bold and classy

Changan CS15: no-fuss daily driver

ELECTRIA: First drive: Changan Lumin

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