Changan CS15 vs. the competition

Crossovers, even the smallest subcompact models, have become a mainstay in the Philippine market over the years. 

Up to the present, numerous brands have updated their respective lineups to include a subcompact crossover offering. One of the aforementioned marques who did the aforementioned was Changan Auto Philippines when it launched the CS15 at the 2024 Manila International Auto Show. 

With the CS15, the Chinese marque's local arm hopes to make waves in the subcompact crossover segment, where it currently faces stiff competition. So, the question now is: what are the alternatives to the Changan CS15? 

Before listing its competitors, let’s have a short overview of the Changan-made crossover. 

Changan CS15

The CS15 is Changan Auto Philippines’ smallest crossover offering. Available locally in one variant, it is priced at P799,000 - making it one of the most affordable models in the brand’s lineup. 

Under the hood, the CS15 comes with a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine capable of producing up to 105 horsepower (hp) and 145 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. Power is sent to its front wheels via a five-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

On the outside, the Changan crossover was kitted out with LED fixtures, a sunroof, and a set of 17-inch two-tone alloy wheels. Its interior, meanwhile, offers ample space, as well as creature comforts such as leather-clad seats, a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a digital gauge cluster - among other features. 

Here is a table detailing the specifications of the Changan CS15: 

Model	CS15
Exterior
Dimensions (LXWXH, in mm)	4,135x1,740x1,630
Wheelbase (mm)	2,520
Wheel size	17-inch
Lighting system	Halogen
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Automatic headlamps Power-adjustable side mirrors Sunroof Front and rear wipers Cruise control Front cabin center armrest 60:40 split-folding rear seats Four-piece speaker system Air-conditioner with pollen filter Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Instrument cluster	Digital gauge cluster
Infotainment system	7-inch touchscreen with Mirror Link
Seating capacity	5
Cargo capacity	230-liters (default), 1,100-liters (rear seats folded)
Powertrain
Engine	1.5-liter inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Five-speed dual-clutch transmission
Horsepower	105
Torque	145 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technology
Safety	Dual front airbags Front side airbags Tire pressure monitoring Central locking Rear parking sensors Driver seatbelt reminder Anti-lock braking Stability control Hill-hold control
Price	P799,000

Geely GX3 Pro

One of the foremost rivals of the Changan CS15 is the Geely GX3 Pro. 

Launched in the Philippine market last year, the Geely model is available as the entry-level S priced at P778,000 and the top-spec Comfort, which retails at P878,000. Like its Changan competitor, it hits the sub-P1 million mark without having to compromise on features. 

For starters, the Geely-made subcompact crossover comes with leather upholstery, an eight-inch touchscreen, and a sunroof - among others. Its exterior, on the other hand, was equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels, a pair of automatic halogen headlamps, power-adjustable side mirrors, and roof rails. 

Propelling the ride is a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine paired with a continuously variant transmission (Comfort) or a five-speed manual gearbox (S). Like the other models rivaling the CS15, the GX3 Pro is a front-wheel-drive model. 

Here are the specifications of the Geely GX3 Pro Comfort: 

Model	Geely GX3 Pro Comfort
Exterior
Dimensions (LXWXH, in mm)	4,005x1,760x1,575
Wheelbase (mm)	2,480
Wheel size	16-inch
Lighting system	Halogen
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Automatic headlamps Power-adjustable side mirrors Sunroof Front and rear wipers Cruise control Front cabin center armrest 60:40 split-folding rear seats SIx-piece speaker system Leather-wrapped steering wheel Cruise control
Instrument cluster	Analog gauge with 3.5-inch instrument display
Infotainment system	7-inch touchscreen with CarbitLink
Seating capacity	5
Powertrain
Engine	1.5-liter inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	102
Torque	142 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technology
Safety	Dual front airbags Anti-lock braking Traction control Stability control Hill start assist Hill descent control Reverse camera Rear parking sensors
Price	P878,000

Chery Tiggo 2 Pro

Another subcompact crossover facing the Changan CS15 in the local market is the Chery Tiggo 2 Pro. 

Out of the models competing against the CS15, the Tiggo 2 Pro has been in the local market the longest. For reference, its older version was introduced back in 2021, though an updated model was launched at the 2024 Philippine International Motor Show. 

For its engine, the Tiggo 2 Pro utilizes a 1.5-liter inline-4 gasoline engine with a maximum output of 111 hp and 138 Nm of torque. It may also come with a five-speed manual or a CVT. 

Notable features of the Tiggo 2 Pro include a set of 16-inch wheels, leather upholstery, a 10.25-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and roof rails. 

Pricing for the updated Tiggo 2 Pro ranges from P708,000 to P818,000. 

Here are the specifications of the top-spec Tiggo 2 Pro AT:

Model	Chery Tiggo 2 Pro AT
Exterior
Dimensions (LXWXH, in mm)	4,200x1,760x1,570
Wheelbase (mm)	2,555
Wheel size	16-inch
Lighting system	Halogen
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Intelligent remote key Four-piece speaker system Leather upholstery Cruise control Drive mode selector Roof rails Wireless smartphone charger 60:40 split-folding rear seat
Instrument cluster	Analog gauge with 3.5-inch instrument display
Infotainment system	10.25-inch high-definition infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	5
Powertrain
Engine	1.5-liter inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	111
Torque	138 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technology
Safety	Dual front airbags Anti-lock braking Traction control Stability control Hill hold control Hill descent control Reverse camera Rear parking sensors ISOFIX
Price	P818,000

Kia Sonet

Likewise competing against the Changan model is the Kia Sonet, which was launched for the Philippines in June 2024. 

Like the other crossovers shown above, the Sonet starts its variant lineup with an affordable trim dubbed the LX, which is currently priced at P758,000. The Korean marque’s crossover, however, is likewise sold locally as the top-spec SX, which commands a price tag of P1.158 million. 

While it is still tiny, the Sonet SX comes with a lot of features, such as advanced driver-assist systems, automatic air-conditioning, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital gauge cluster, a wireless smartphone charger, and a voice recognition functionality - among others. 

Under the hood, the Sonet uses a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s good for 113 hp and 144 Nm. Power is sent to its front wheels via a CVT or a five-speed manual gearbox. 

Here are the specifications of the Kia Sonet SX:

Model	Kia Sonet SX
Exterior
Dimensions (LXWXH, in mm)	4,110x1,790x1,642
Wheelbase (mm)	2,500
Wheel size	16-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Leather
Amenities	Push-to-start button Smart entry Six-piece speaker system Leather upholstery Automatic air-conditioning Roof rails Wireless smartphone charger 60:40 split-folding rear seat Cruise control
Instrument cluster	10.25 digital gauge
Infotainment system	10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	5
Powertrain
Engine	1.5-liter inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	113
Torque	144 Nm
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Technology
ADAS	Lane keep assist Lane following assist Forward collision avoidance assist High beam assist Driver attention warning Downhill brake control
Safety	Dual front airbags Anti-lock braking Traction control Stability control Hill start assist Reverse camera Rear parking sensors ISOFIX
Price	P1.158 million

 

Toyota Raize

One of the more popular rivals of the Changan CS15 is the Toyota Raize. Locally, the Raize is offered in four variants, with a price ranging from P751,000-P1.068 million. 

The top-spec trim stands out as the sole version with a turbocharged 1.0-liter inline-3 engine. At maximum, the turbocharged version of the Toyota-made crossover can produce up to 96 hp and 140 Nm. The four-cylinder naturally-aspirated 1.2-liter trims, on the other hand, can make up to 86 hp and 113 Nm of torque. 

For transmissions, the entry-level Raize E comes with a five-speed manual gearbox. The rest, on the other hand, use a CVT. 

Other key features available to the Toyota subcompact five-seater include LED fixtures, a nine-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, several ADAS features, and a drive mode selector - among others. 

Here’s a table showing the specifications of the Toyota Raize 1.0 Turbo:

Model	Toyota Raize 1.0 Turbo
Exterior
Dimensions (LXWXH, in mm)	4,030x1,710x1,605
Wheelbase (mm)	2,525
Wheel size	17-inch
Lighting system	LED
Interior
Material	Fabric/Synthetic leather
Amenities	60:40 split-folding rear seats Drive mode selector Push-to-start button USB ports Automatic air-conditioning Six-piece speaker system
Instrument cluster	Seven-inch TFT gauge cluster
Infotainment system	Nine-inch touchscreen infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Seating capacity	5
Powertrain
Engine	1.0-liter inline-3 turbocharged
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	CVT
Horsepower	96
Torque	140 Nm
Brakes	Front discs, rear drums
Technology
ADAS	Blind-spot monitor Rear cross traffic alert
Safety	Six airbags Anti-lock braking Traction control Stability control Hill start assist Reverse camera Front and rear parking sensors ISOFIX
Price	P1.068 million

 

Final thoughts

If you’re one of the folks considering the Changan CS15, the ones above should be on your radar as well. The said models, after all, are the CS15’s chief competitors. As such, buyers should do well to give each model a test drive. 

Also read: 

Small crossover skirmish: Changan CS15 vs. Geely GX3 Pro

Check out the Changan CS15's saucy cabin