From the sales in the past six months, domestic fuel SUVs still have a large market space. In addition, fuel SUVs also bear the responsibility of China’s export sales. Excellent and stable quality is the best era for fuel SUV models. This is also the reason why Changan has launched the second generation X5PLUS and the second generation Changan X7PLUS. These two models have improved in intelligence, convenience, and refinement. The most important thing is the improvement in the dealer channel. The main reason for the market’s trust comes from the power of the two models. Both use the Blue Whale Power NE1.5T engine and 7DCT gearbox, which is a reliable technical endorsement for Changan SUVs. The difference between the two models is only in the size and number of seats, and the defined target groups are also different. The second generation Changan X5PLUS is positioned as the ride of young people, while the second generation X7PLUS is more inclined to meet the needs of family cars.
Smart and Fun SUV – The Second Generation Changan X5PLUS Compared to various “rolling” electric vehicles, fuel vehicles pay more attention to stability and added value. Both models are equipped with the Blue Whale NE1.5T engine and 7DCT gearbox, which is the foundation of Changan Automobile. The Blue Whale powertrain has been continuously awarded the “China Heart” Best Engine of the Year for 7 years, and has been verified by 3 million users. Now, the Blue Whale is not only the core power, but also the best helper for extended-range models. Its excellent working conditions, performance, and fuel economy, when installed in the Changan series models, are very balanced and stable.
Both models are equipped with the Blue Whale NE1.5T engine, with a maximum power of 138 kilowatts and a maximum torque of 300 Newton meters. The official zero to one hundred kilometer acceleration is 7.51 seconds, and the WLTC comprehensive fuel consumption is 6.25 liters per hundred kilometers. Due to the different weights of the second-generation Changan X5PLUS and the second-generation Changan X7PLUS, there may be slight differences in acceleration, braking, and handling, but the overall power configuration is the same. There is no need to elaborate on the power part of the second-generation Changan X7PLUS.
The main test drive this time was the second-generation Changan X5PLUS model. The biggest difference between this model and the previous generation is the addition of a more sporty atmosphere and electronic configuration. In terms of appearance, in order to cater to the trend of young people and the dynamic character, the overall exterior design continues the low and wide body posture, with a body height-width ratio of 0.87, the front hood extending forward by 36mm, and pressing down by 5°, making the diving momentum more intense.
The overall proportion of the vehicle is very coordinated, with a wheelbase of 2715mm, and the wheelbase-to-length ratio reaches 1:1.67. The front and rear proportions are basically symmetrical, giving this SUV a more dynamic effect.
The test drive car has a combination of dark gray, red, and black on the exterior, with angular shapes on the sports appearance package, creating an aggressive look.
The side of the car’s front bumper features a double-layer wing-type side air curtain design to further improve airflow, the side wings of the deflector are extended by 25mm, adding a sense of sportiness to the car body and reducing air turbulence. In addition, the lower engine compartment has a protective plate, and the floor protective plate has been optimized to reduce the airflow resistance of the car bottom and improve grip performance. Although there is not much turbulence for a family car within the speed limit regulations, this design clearly increases the cost and eliminates the need for consumers to spend money on additional protection layers after purchasing the car, saving them money.
The front end has a strong sense of movement, especially the front lip and the grille surface have enhanced the sporty attributes. The front face not only adopts a parameterized dot matrix module, but also allows the delicate facet structure of each module to be reflected. The front lip uses a “high color line-shaped decorative strip + carbon fiber texture” sports kit combination, while the front face shape adopts a pseudo-biological shark front face, which has a visual impact.
The car headlights are officially called the “Light Sickle Storm” integrated front headlights, with a calligraphy-like shape and a strong sense of power. The inner side of the lamp unit has a smoked black base with LED light strips, which is distinct and powerful.
The second-generation Changan X5PLUS is easily recognized by its matte dynamic red S badge on the front, which complements the badge inside the car.
Arriving at the rear of the car, the structure is complex, especially the sharp design of the downward pressure diffuser. The fiery dual-blade tail lights, along with the double-pulse high-mounted lights, create a rich and well-detailed rear end.
The overall color scheme inside the car matches the exterior, with a sporty and passionate black + red theme, along with integrated sports seats and a 30-inch wrap-around smart three-screen display, giving the interior a particularly strong sporty vibe.
The center console and screen are tilted towards the driver’s side. The overall layout is neat and innovative, with a lot of irregular and polygonal shapes used. The practical configuration inside the car is still very rich, including a wireless charging pad, USB ports, and various cup holders. The layout from the screen to the air vents to the T island area is also very innovative. It poses a big challenge in terms of mold opening and practicality.
The physical buttons in the car do not interfere with the touchscreen. The air conditioning control and the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel are still very convenient. The driving mode and parking assistance functions can also be activated with physical buttons, without the need to familiarize oneself with the functions on the screen.
The most outstanding feature is the 30-inch wrap-around smart triple screen, which includes an instrument screen, a central control screen, and a driver assistance screen. These three screens not only can be linked, but also can display data.
The central control screen is the main operation screen, with the desktop as the map, and sliding can display multimedia applications, and can be easily controlled through split-screen mode. The screen is embedded with MTK high-performance octa-core car machine chip, with a 2GHZ ultra-high-speed computing frequency, and a neural computing power of 20 trillion times per second, which is relatively fast in terms of boot speed, network speed, face recognition, and voice wake-up speed. The new car also features Huawei Hicar mobile interconnection function, making it easier for friends using Huawei phones to connect to the car.
Of course, there are popular apps available for use. It also features the FaceID3.0 facial recognition system and a voice interaction system with four high-sensitivity microphone arrays around the vehicle, which can reach the level of mainstream smart electric vehicles.
On the fully customizable auxiliary screen, located on the left side of the steering wheel, you can display driving information such as weather, media, navigation, and tire pressure. It has a digital calendar-like appearance, which is very intuitive.
Of course, the full HD LCD instrument panel can display a wide range of data, and the display content can be switched through the control buttons on the steering wheel, including steering wheel, instantaneous fuel consumption, trip mileage, tire pressure, etc.
The second-generation Chang’an X5PLUS also has various modes of Tesla, NIO, and Ideal models, including welcome mode, friend mode, bodyguard mode 2.0, and car wash mode, fully summarizing the needs of precise car use scenes, which can be activated by voice.
In terms of space, the legroom in the back is very generous, making it very comfortable to slouch in the back seat. The seats throughout the vehicle are well-padded and supportive, yet still contour to the body’s curves, making them very accommodating for medium to long-distance travel.
In terms of driving experience, the second-generation Changan X5PLUS can choose the intelligent driving mode for a long time. The gearbox can learn your driving habits. When you press the accelerator deeply, the gearbox will downshift quickly, providing enough torque for easier acceleration. As long as you release the accelerator or enter the coasting phase, the gearbox will upshift quickly to maintain excellent fuel economy.
Of course, to enjoy the thrill of driving, adjust the driving mode to track mode. Not only will the central control screen switch to a red and black background, but also the data of steering wheel angle, throttle opening, and turbo pressure will be displayed, which is very intuitive, allowing passengers to experience the thrill of driving.
The second-generation Changan X5PLUS features front MacPherson and rear multi-link suspension, with a sporty overall chassis tuning and strong shock support. The second-generation Changan X7PLUS is a larger seven-seater SUV with a youthful, sporty style.
The car has a full and steady body shape, with a family-style front design. The new car’s dimensions are 4745mm*1870mm*1720mm, with a wheelbase of 2786mm.
The front of the car is designed with a powerful and dynamic style. The grille adopts the design of the dragon scale, which is highly recognizable and imposing. The side of the car is thick and atmospheric, with a high waistline design to reflect a stable body posture. The silver trim decorates the window line and the side skirts.
The second generation Chang’an X7PLUS has changed its wheels compared to the first generation model, using 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and the design has been upgraded to have a unique and powerful sense of sportiness and strength, showing the dynamic genes of fashion and high beauty.
The rear styling is more focused on stability, with integrated taillights and dual exhausts. The rear spoiler is not as exaggerated as the second-generation Changan X5PLUS, achieving a heavy and secure overall look.
The interior of the second-generation Changan X7PLUS is very elegant, with added brown interior color scheme compared to the first generation model, using large areas of suede and wood trim, a combination of multiple materials, enhancing the interior tone and completely distinguishing it from the sporty style of the second-generation Changan X5PLUS.
The technology configuration of the second generation Changan X5PLUS remains basically the same, including the installation of the all-scenario OnStyle3.0 intelligent control car system. It covers 120 car usage scenarios, 380 voice intents, 39 high-frequency functions with voice control without wake-up, achieving all-scenario voice control; the car system interface has also been optimized, including UI interactive interface, one-touch access to needs; added home page cards, pull-down quick control, smarter and more user-friendly smart interaction.
In terms of intelligent entertainment system, the second-generation Changan X7PLUS is equipped with Carlink smart interconnection and a one-click singing system without a microphone, but it does not have the Huawei Hicar mobile interconnection function like the second-generation Changan X5PLUS. The new car also adds children’s riding entertainment and care scenes, and adds Netease Cloud app. From the software and functions, it can be seen that the second-generation Changan X7PLUS pays more attention to the needs of all family members for the car.
So, the biggest highlight of the second-generation Chang’an X7PLUS comes from the changes in the interior space layout. Its 7-seat comfort and convenience have been greatly improved. The second row can now slide forward by 30mm, increased to 90mm, and the upgraded second-row seats can move back and forth by 120mm, with the adjustment level increased from 6 to 12, making the third-row seating space more comfortable and flexible.
In terms of technology configuration, the second generation Changan X7PLUS adopts a dual-link integrated large screen. Although not as cool as the three screens of the second generation Changan X5PLUS, the 12.3-inch central control large screen and LCD instrument panel are completely adequate, able to grasp the vast majority of driving data. The central control screen can display real-time high-definition 360° images of the entire vehicle, achieving visualisation of the vehicle’s surroundings with no blind spots.
In terms of driving experience, as mentioned earlier, apart from the difference in vehicle weight affecting acceleration, braking, and handling, the rest of the driving experience remains consistent with the second generation of Changan X5PLUS.
However, due to the different positioning of the vehicle, the second generation of Changan X7PLUS has a more comfortable chassis suspension adjustment. This may be due to the consideration of the needs of family car scenes. In terms of road seams and the feeling of passing through potholes, the second generation of Changan X7PLUS pays more attention to the details of chassis filtering.
In summary, both models are currently products under the Changan Automobile system, fully integrated into the Changan marketing and service system. For consumers, Changan’s service network has more outlets, making car purchase and after-sales service more convenient. The two models are more than just a rebranding, with attention to detail and increased technological configuration. Changan will continue to uphold its five major service commitments to provide users with a high-quality service experience. After test driving the two models, they still feel like quality and enjoyable vehicles in the fuel car category. If you are considering a fuel SUV in the 100,000 RMB price range, it’s worth going to a Changan dealership to test drive the two models. With such configurations and power combinations, you will surely be satisfied.