Production Models

There is no denying that China brand vehicles are making inroads in the local market.

More and more people are beginning to be attracted to China-brand SUVs and sedans not only because of their affordability and perceived improvements in build quality.

Many also come laden with the latest comfort and convenience, as well as driver assist and safety technology and features.

Some also look good, great even.

One example of a China brand subcompact SUV that is getting second looks out in the streets is the Changan CS35 Plus.

The Changan CS35 comes in your basic SUV body but in proportions that make it seem bigger than it actually is: 4330mm long, 1825mm wide and 1660mm tall.

The CS35 appears to have borrowed many exterior design cues and accents from more popular marques and models.

Check out the grille design. The Daytime Running Lights that run from end to end. The satin red line, lights and accents on the fascia, the side, and the rear. The square-ish wheel arches. You can say you have seen them on other vehicles.

But all combine in a way that makes the CS35 singularly attractive on its own. You can't really say it looks like - or is an outright copy of - other popular SUVs.

The top-of-line CS35 Plus Luxe is particularly distinguished with the black roof for a two-tone look.

The CS35 already comes with LEDs for the headlamps with the auto on/off function, the DRLs with positioning lamps, Rear positioning lamps, the high mount stop lamp, the side turn repeater lights on the side mirrors that are heated and power fold and adjust.

Adding to the attraction of the CS35 Plus Luxe are the Rear Spoiler, Shark Fin Antenna, Dual Exhaust Pipes, Roof Rails, and the 18-inch Alloy Wheels wrapped by 225/45 R18 tires.

The Changan CS35 Plus comes with many of the standard and not so standard convenience features expected in top end vehicle.

Remote keyless entry, push button start. It even comes with remote engine start.

The top of line Luxe variant also comes with a power tailgate.

The interior looks rather posh with lots of premium leather for the seats and gearshift lever and complemented by brush aluminum accents.

The dash and instrumentation looks cool and modern with the 7-inch LCD display laid out almost seamlessly beside the 10-inch Touchscreen for the Multimedia system that comes with Bluetooth, USB Connectivity and Smartphone Mirroring in lieu of the missing Apple Carplay and Android Auto.

The audio plays through a perfectly adequate six-speaker system in the Luxe variant.

The driver's seat slides front and back electronically. One has to manually recline the seatback or to raise or lower the seat.

The front passenger seat only adjusts manually.

Between the front seats is the center console with a tray up front for wirelessly charging a smart phone.

There's a lever for shifting gears but not for parking brake as the CS35 already comes standard with an Electronic Parking Brake system.

The armrest hides a good-sized cubbyhole for stuff and whatnots, complementing the front seatback pockets and those on the doors.

The console also features two beverage holders for added convenience.

Space in front is perfectly adequate and comfortable.

Same goes for those in back, at least for two adults and a child in the middle seat. Headroom and legroom are more than adequate even for taller locals.

There's a fold down armrest with twin cup holders in the second row seatback.

The seatback splits and folds 60:40 to provide more space for luggage and other stuff.

Only a single aircon vent though for those in the rear. Rear occupants also need to to share a single USB charging port.

Look up and there's the panoramic sunroof with anti-pinch function, another feature that adds to the premium character of the CS35.

Other interior and convenience features worth mentioning are automatic airconditioning, sunglass holder, front and rear reading lights, and speed-sensing auto doorlocks.

Driving the CS35 can be quite fun. The flat-bottomed steering wheel comes with controls for audio as well as adaptive cruise control

The steering column tilts and telescopes.

Underneath the hood of the Changan CS35 Plus is a 1.4-liter, four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine generating 158 horsepower and 260 Newton-meters of torque.

The engine is mated to a 7-speed Wet Type Dual Clutch Transmission System driving the front wheels.

The CS35 powertrain requires a light foot on the accelerator pedal in stop and go traffic.

On the highway and open roads, a heavier foot on the pedal unleashes all the torque needed to overtake slower traffic.

It comes with electric power steering that helps make the CS35 a nimble ride in the city and on country roads.

The suspension system features a front McPherson strut and rear torsion beam combo that absorbs bumps and other road imperfections as well if not better than most other SUVs.

Unlike most of the competition in its segment and price range, the Changan CS35 comes standard with brake discs on all wheels, ventilated in front and solid in the rear, that provide confident stopping power.

The CS35 also comes standard with Anti-Lock Brake System and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution, as well as Brake Assist.

Changan raises the bar in terms of ADAS, or advanced driver-assistance systems, in the subcompact SUV segment.

The CS35 Plus Luxe is already equipped with Electronic Stability Program, Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Brake, Hill Hold Control, Hill Descent Control.

Making parking or maneuvering in tight or crowded spaces so much easier and safer are Blind Spot View Camera and Monitor and Around View Camera and Monitor, 3-Eye Reverse Parking Sensor

Equipped for safety and security in the CS35 Plus Luxe are dual front, side and curtain airbags, 3-point seatbelts with reminders for front driver and front seat passenger, ISOFIX anchors, Child Safety Lock, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and Immobilizer.

The Changan CS35 Plus is currently listed at 1.259 million pesos and with a discount of 94,000, it can be yours for just 1.165 million.

It should come as no surprise to see more of the Changan CS35 on local streets and highways. It comes loaded with standard and more advanced features sought in the latest SUVs and crossovers, and a look that would excite even the most jaded of buyers.