With the influx of Chinese automakers coming to the Philippines, all these newcomers are hell-bent on finding ways to stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s through design, tech, or electrification, China wants a good chunk of the Philippine market.
Changan was one of the first to dip its toes in the Philippines. It traces its roots back to the largely forgotten Chana Benni from 2007 that left the market a few years later. The company mounted a comeback in the late 2010s and is now being handled by a new distributor.
One of the models it offers is the Changan X7 Plus. It’s touted as an alternative to the likes of the Honda CR-V, the Mazda CX-5, the and Toyota RAV4, but for much, much less.
The thing is, the X7 Plus needs to stand out from the crowd, not just from the Japanese offerings, but also from its domestic competitors. Some prime examples include the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, the Haval H6, and the similarly named but totally unrelated Jetour X70 Pro. Time to see how the X7 Plus fares among its peers.
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Styling
If staying anonymous is your thing, the X7 Pro could be the ticket for you. The design can be best described as inoffensive. There’s a big grille at the front, slim lights that flank it, and sizable foglight housings. It’s in the same mold as its competitors, but it doesn’t really pop out. Not even the red highlights make it stand out.
The same goes for its flanks. There are a couple of character lines here and there, but it blends into the sea of many other crossovers in the land. That said, the rear is perhaps the most interesting part of the exterior. The full-width taillights are somewhat distinct thanks to the light pattern they projects.
Interior
To be fair, the interior is a comfortable place to stay in. The look is easy on the eyes with smooth and organic lines. The wraparound theme gives off a cozy vibe, and there isn’t the typical screen overload seen in modern Chinese cars. Ergonomics are simple and straightforward, and we appreciate the presence of physical buttons.
Textures and materials feel pleasant to touch, almost as if you’re in a more expensive car. However, we did notice a few panels that could do better in fit and finish. We also noticed a few buttons that wiggled when pressed, somewhat dampening the positive vibe of the cabin.
What we don’t have complaints about is the space. Given the vehicle’s size, that’s to be expected, but those curious about it will be pleased to know that there’s generous leg- and headroom on board, and the width means it can genuinely fit three people across the second row. Even the third row isn’t half bad and even more comfortable than some truck-based SUVs.
And for those who need to do airport runs, the X7 can easily swallow up luggage. Fold the seats down and there’s ample room for large strollers and whatnot. The high bumper does impede ease of loading and unloading, but it’s not too bad.
Engine performance
Like many gas-fed Chinese crossovers, the X7 Plus uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine good for 183hp and 300Nm. So while it doesn’t make loads of horsepower, there’s a good amount of torque, at least on paper. That engine then shifts with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Typical Chinese crossover, then.
In the real world, the engine pulls this crossover’s body with relative ease. Turbo lag is present but it won’t bother most people. Power delivery is smooth rather than punchy, which is fine for its segment. We reckon most X7 customers would prefer that over a whiplash-inducing response.
We were admittedly skeptical about the dual-clutch transmission. While great on the move, these transmissions are typically jerky in traffic. The one fitted to the X7 is acceptable, but it does get caught out sometimes in stop-and-go situations. Still, it’s not the worst we’ve encountered, not by a long shot.
As for fuel economy, it’s par for the course for its size and segment. We observed 8.1km/L in the city and 13.8km/L on the highway. Not exactly stellar, but we wouldn’t call it thirsty.
Ride and handling
What’s it like to drive? Well, the steering is light to the point that it feels overboosted, the brakes are a touch on the spongy side, and the body leans at the first sign of enthusiastic driving. It can do with a little more grip, though, as its Chao Yang tires occasionally ask for the traction control’s help on wet surfaces.
For those looking for a dynamic drive, they won’t find it in the X7 Plus. Then again, its target demographic doesn’t really care about feel or feedback. What they do care about is comfort, and the X7 Plus does a fine job of pampering its passengers. Obviously, it’s no European or American premium SUV, but it’s one of the more pleasant riding crossovers out there.
Extra features
For the most part, the X7 Plus has the basics covered. There’s a barrage of airbags, a sizable touchscreen, automatic climate control, and other safety essentials like stability control. It also comes with a massive panoramic glass roof to let more light into its vast cabin. A 360-degree camera is also included, as well as a built-in dashcam.
However, there are some surprising emissions from the features list. The biggest one is the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While it was normal for Chinese cars to not have this feature five years ago, it’s inexcusable now given that many have fitted it already. An advanced driver assist system is also unavailable.
There’s also the lack of power seats for at least the driver’s side, something that’s already expected in its segment and size class. We don’t really mind it not having a power tailgate, but we’re certain that there are those who’d want it.
Verdict
To sum up, the X7 Plus is light and easy to drive, comfortable, and spacious. It has all the ingredients that make it a good daily driver and family shuttle. The trouble is, it needs to stand out more in its class. Yes, some of its competitors are more expensive, but they also offer a lot more features, as well as offer slightly better driving and riding experiences.
For its size, Changan’s largest crossover is a bargain at P1,399,000, but it will have to bank on more than its competitive pricing to lure in more customers. Truth be told, the X7 Plus isn’t a bad car at all. It just needs more delightful features to make a blip in the radar.
SPECS: 2024 Changan X7 Plus
Price: P1,499,000
Engine: 1.5-liter turbopetrol I4
Power: 183hp
Torque: 300Nm
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch
Layout: Front-wheel drive
Seating: 7
Score: 7/10
