It would be wrong of me to dismiss the new Changan UNI-S as just another Chinese SUV, which, if I’m being brutally honest, it is.
Up front, all three derivatives are powered by a 1,5ℓ turbocharged petrol engine driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. This is the Chinese original equipment manufacturer cut-and-paste formula, and in the case of the Changan UNI-S range, translates into 138kW of power and 300Nm of torque.
This was more than enough for a four-person trip out to Hartbeespoort, North West, during the local launch, and the ride quality was really good, too. The seats were comfortable, and noise intrusion into the cabin was almost unnoticeable.
Premium touches
The Changan UNI-S feels more premium than its price tag suggests. I was taking it easy and singing its praises to my passengers when things took a slightly less convincing turn.
On the move, engine response and gearbox calibration are decent, provided you aren’t expecting hot-hatch performance. However, whether in Normal mode or Sport mode, there is a noticeable hesitation if you stomp on the accelerator, before the turbo arrives.
This is a characteristic seen in many turbocharged SUVs in this segment, and the UNI-S is no exception.
Dual-clutch transmission
What we didn’t expect was having to double-check that the Changan UNI-S is indeed fitted with a dual-clutch transmission and not a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Under hard acceleration, it can develop a CVT-like whine, with the revs hunting up and down without a corresponding increase in speed.
Will this affect most owners who’ll be buying the car as a family SUV? No, probably not. But it was something that irritated me and my petrolhead passengers.
That said, with a fuel consumption figure of 7,5ℓ/100km displayed on the instrument cluster after our drive, there is little else I can say negatively about my first impression of Changan’s new UNI-S.
Impressive spec sheet
The base-spec UNI-S CS comes with 18” alloy wheels, LED lighting with daytime running lights, a 10,25” digital instrument cluster, a 12,8” infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ventilated front seats.
Building on the CS, the UNI-S CL adds a notable step up in driver assistance and interior refinement. It features microfibre leather upholstery, rain-sensing wipers, and smart high-beam control.
At the top of the line-up, the UNI-S CE combines advanced safety, comfort, and convenience, including 19” alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, automatic parking assist, an electric panoramic sunroof with rain-sensing auto-close function, an electric tailgate, and an upgraded eight-speaker sound system.
A full complement of advanced driver assistance features includes blind spot detection, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear collision warning.
What’s the verdict?
The Changan UNI-S offers more power and tech than nearly all of its rivals, and it stands out from the crowd in terms of styling.
Vehicle pricing
Changan UNI-S CS – R389 900
Changan UNI-S CL – R429 900
Changan UNI-S CE – R469 900
Pricing includes a five-year/150 000km warranty and a five-year/90 000km service plan.
