Changan CS55 Plus

Unlike most Chinese cars that compromise on interior materials to keep production costs low, the cabin of the 2024 Changan CS55 Plus speaks of quality. All major touchpoints are solid and never distract the driver. All seats are of faux leather. First-row occupants get bolstered seats with integrated headrests. The seats, along with the rest of the cabin, come in a combination of brown and black with contrast stitching. The multifunction flat-bottomed steering wheel is compact in size. It has driver-assist functions and infotainment controls. The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment unit has a crisp display. There’s another 10.0-inch full-colour unit for instrument display. The six-speaker audio system is rather premium, something usually not found in a Chinese car. The panoramic sunroof can be operated via voice command.

The 2024 Changan CS55 Plus looks great from all angles. In fact, it’s one of the most attractive crossovers in the Emirates market. The front grille is interestingly detailed and Changan designers call it ‘a light and shadow touch’. The CS55 Plus plays with soft lines and sharp angles very well. The angular, aggressive lines sweep across the surface wherever needed. These are complemented by more laid-back and softer lines. The car gets all-round LED lighting, including the daytime running lights (DRLs). A number of lights come in an atypical shape, particularly the brake light on the spoiler. The 2024 Changan CS55 Plus runs on 19-inch alloy wheels. 

The cabin of the 2024 Changan CS55 Plus is spacious. The driver’s seat is motorized and helps the occupant to find a perfect driving position. All seats get enough legroom and headroom. Even taller individuals can comfortably sit on the rear seat with room to spare. But accommodating three adults at the back will be cramped. The car is more suited to carry four passengers. Equipped with a fully independent suspension, the 2024 Changan CS55 Plus offers a nice and stable ride. All seats offer great back support and long rides aren’t tiring. The air-conditioning is powerful and cools the cabin fast. A bit of road noise does enter the cabin because of the economy-spec Dunlop tires.

The 2024 Changan CS55 Plus is hauled by a turbocharged, four-cylinder, BlueCore 1.5-litre petrol engine that produces 188 PS/300 Nm. The motor is mated to a wet-type 7-speed dual-clutch. The transmission gets three separate driving modes. The car is easy to steer, courtesy of the electronic power steering that promptly responds to driver inputs. The gear system isn’t always seamless. Launching the car from a stop takes some time. The vehicle otherwise runs smoothly though there are a few noticeable hiccups. On highways, the powertrain behaves better. Turning corners with the 2024 Changan CS55 Plus on city roads is easy. The car behaves well. There’s a bit of a body roll but that doesn’t upset the driving dynamics.  

The safety equipment of the 2024 Changan CS55 Plus is among the best in class. The car gets an advanced driver-assist system that includes an around-view camera, radar cruise control, a G-force sensor, and a fuel economy display. The car comes with its own dashcam that records 15 seconds of video before and after a sudden braking instance. Other safety equipment includes lane-keep assist, autonomous emergency braking, multiple airbags, and parking sensors.    

The 2024 Changan CS55 Plus is more affordable than most of its rivals in the crossover segment. It’s a feature-rich car and offers nice travelling comfort. Long-term reliability still remains under question since Changan is a less-established brand. But the CS55 Plus is a worthy car for those who want a premium crossover.