The CHANGAN CS35 is the first B-segment SUV independently developed and mass-produced by CHANGAN Auto. It officially debuted on 30 October 2012 with a dual launch in Chongqing and Shenzhen, initially offering two variants—the 1.6MT Comfort and 1.6MT Luxury—priced at RM78,900 and RM82,900 respectively. As CHANGAN Auto's pioneering foray into the SUV market, the CS35 filled a vital gap in the brand's line-up and quickly gained solid traction in China's domestic compact crossover segment, courtesy of its accessible pricing and well-rounded product package.
Across its 12-year model lifecycle, the CHANGAN CS35 underwent numerous facelifts and model derivations. The 2016 iteration introduced a 1.5T turbocharged petrol engine, an upgraded Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), and Baidu CarLife smartphone connectivity. Around 2018, the model line-up spawned the CS35 PLUS, effectively running two parallel product streams: the first-generation Classic CS35 and the all-new CS35 PLUS. At present, the CS35 PLUS serves as the primary offering with 2024 model-year updates, while the Classic CS35 has been phased out of production. The official retail price for the CS35 PLUS ranges from RM69,900 to RM104,900 (varying slightly across model years and trims), with trade-in promotions lowering the barrier of entry to RM61,900. Targeted at urban commuters and family motoring, its chief rivals include segment mainstays such as the CHERY TIGGO 5x, HAVAL H2, and GEELY Binyue.
Penned by Italian automotive designer Dambrosio Luciano, the CHANGAN CS35 integrates styling cues from space-efficient multi-purpose vehicles, sporty hatchbacks, and traditional passenger sedans. The original CS35 measures 4,160 mm in length, 1,810 mm in width, and 1,670 mm in height, riding on a 2,560 mm wheelbase. Up front, it features a shield-shaped chrome grille flanked by eagle-eye projector headlamps, with LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and functional roof rails fitted as standard across the range. Its profile is defined by clean, muscular lines, whilst the rear is accented by dual-wing combination tail lamps and an integrated tailgate spoiler, giving the crossover a compact, athletic stance. Inside, the cabin sports a twin-pod instrument binnacle illuminated in deep-sea ice blue, a floating centre stack, leather-trimmed door armrests, and two-tone upholstery options, presenting a class-competitive cabin ambience for its era.
The subsequent CS35 PLUS grew significantly in footprint, measuring 4,330 mm (4,335 mm on selected model years) long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,660 mm tall, with a longer 2,600 mm wheelbase. It adopted an aggressive 'Black Knight' parametric armour grille, paired with full-LED headlamps and a full-width rear light bar for a noticeably sharper, high-tech aesthetic. The cockpit was thoroughly overhauled with an asymmetric dashboard, a flat-bottom D-shaped steering wheel with four-way manual tilt and telescopic adjustment, and 60:40 split-folding rear seats for enhanced cargo practicality.
The CHANGAN CS35 offered several powertrain configurations across its generational updates. The first-generation CS35 is powered by a 1.6-litre Blue Core H-series naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, producing 92 kW (approx. 125 PS) and 160 Nm of torque. This unit is paired with either a 5-speed manual or an AISIN Ss-II 4-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, delivering a combined fuel consumption figure of 6.6 L/100 km for the manual version. The 2016 model introduced a 1.5T turbocharged engine generating 156 PS (approx. 115 kW) and 215 Nm of torque, with higher-spec trims gaining an electric sunroof and automatic climate control. Alternate technical documentation notes that this 1.5T mill is capable of up to 121 kW (approx. 165 PS) and 250 Nm of torque. The automatic variants return a combined fuel economy of approximately 7.2 L/100 km under MIIT testing standards.
Meanwhile, the CS35 PLUS stepped up to CHANGAN's Blue Whale NE 1.4T high-pressure direct-injection turbocharged engine (on selected model years), putting out 118 kW (approx. 160 PS) and 260 Nm of torque through a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT). This setup achieves a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 6.65 L/100 km and a top speed of 200 km/h. Selected variants of the PLUS also retained an updated 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine paired with either a 5-speed manual or an AISIN 6-speed automatic gearbox, generating 128 PS and 161 Nm of torque while complying with China VI emissions standards.
Underneath, the CHANGAN CS35 rides on a passenger-car-derived front-engine, front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform. It features MacPherson independent suspension up front and a lightweight torsion beam semi-independent setup (also referenced as a trailing arm setup in some technical materials) at the rear. The chassis was specifically calibrated with longer wheel travel than standard passenger cars to better absorb road undulations. In road tests conducted by Xincheping, tackling significant road imperfections at speeds around 40 km/h demonstrated well-controlled damping compression without harsh metallic bottoming-out noises. Owner feedback notes that while the firm rear damping can make the secondary ride slightly unsettled over rough surfaces, body roll remains well-controlled through high-speed cornering. The electric power steering (EPS) is light and effortless at urban parking speeds while weighting up progressively at highway cruising speeds, providing adequate road feel. Stopping power is managed by four-wheel disc brakes with an American TRW braking system.
The CS35 PLUS carries over this platform architecture with revised steering geometry and recalibrated suspension damping, earning positive reviews for its urban nimbleness and effortless manoeuvrability.
Geared towards value-conscious family buyers, the CS35 delivers a practical cabin layout with a generous equipment list relative to its price bracket. The original CS35 came with a standard 5.5-inch infotainment display (upgraded to a 7-inch unit on later model years), supporting GPS navigation, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, and emergency breakdown calls. Interior appointments include faux leather seats and a three-spoke leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel. Higher-spec grades add an electric sunroof, reverse parking sensors, a reverse camera, cruise control, and power-folding side mirrors. The 2016 update brought CHANGAN's in Call smart telematics system and a passenger-side blind-spot camera to elevate on-board technology.
The CS35 PLUS elevated the cabin experience with a modern dual-screen layout, featuring a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster alongside a 10.25-inch floating central touchscreen infotainment display, complete with AI voice recognition and smartphone app-based telematics control. Additional equipment highlights include a panoramic opening glass roof, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, a front wireless smartphone charging pad, and a 6-speaker sound system. Boot capacity is rated at 403 litres in standard configuration, expandable to 950 litres with the rear seatbacks folded flat.
Safety equipment on the CHANGAN CS35 was progressively updated throughout its production run. Passive safety kit across all variants includes dual front SRS airbags, while upper trims gain active safety suites such as ESP, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and Hill-Start Assist. The braking setup is backed by TRW hardware featuring ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Under C-NCAP crash testing (2012 assessment protocol), the CS35 achieved a four-star safety rating, which was on par with segment standards of the period. Higher-tier 1.5T variants further bolstered equipment with front fog lamps, an electric sunroof, and climate control.
In terms of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), early CS35 variants lacked Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features. The subsequent CS35 PLUS incorporated an intelligent connectivity suite that supports voice commands, cloud-based navigation, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). These active safety systems rely primarily on a mid-range millimetre-wave radar sensor housed within the lower front air intake to gauge leading vehicle distances. Overall, the CS35’s safety profile focuses on core family requirements, steadily adopting essentials like ESP and entry-level AEB, though it remains modest compared to the sophisticated high-tier ADAS packages on newer class rivals.
Since its introduction in 2012, the CHANGAN CS35 established itself as a stalwart in China's domestic B-segment crossover market, driven by its keen value proposition and robust mechanical package. It made an immediate market impact within its launch month and consistently ranked among the top-selling small SUVs for several consecutive years. However, as the product matured and newer competitors emerged—such as the HAVAL H2, CHERY TIGGO 5x, and GEELY Binyue—market share came under pressure. The introduction of the CS35 PLUS successfully revitalised the nameplate, leveraging sleeker styling and richer technology to preserve CHANGAN's footprint in the budget crossover sector. As of 2026, the CS35 PLUS continues to maintain stable monthly sales volumes.
In owner community surveys, the CS35 receives positive marks for its versatile packaging, ride comfort, comprehensive specification, and low fuel consumption. Owners appreciate the inclusion of ESP at an accessible price point, alongside solid cabin fit and finish. Conversely, common criticisms focus on noticeable engine noise under hard acceleration, firm rear suspension compliance, sluggish infotainment responsiveness, and a basic airbag count on entry-level grades. As the cornerstone of CHANGAN's SUV portfolio, the CS35 laid critical groundwork in pricing strategy, product balance, and lifecycle management, paving the way for subsequent hits like the CS55, CS75, and the flagship UNI range.
The CS35 family has spawned several international and alternative-powertrain derivatives. For export markets, the 2026 CHANGAN CS35 Max features a 1.5-litre Blue Core turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission, generating 180 hp (approx. 134 kW) and 300 Nm of torque. It is currently retailed in markets such as the Philippines, priced between PHP 1,109,000 and PHP 1,199,000. Domestically in China, CHANGAN deployed both internal combustion and battery-electric offshoots (such as the CS35 E-Star series). Nevertheless, the core sales volume remains anchored by the petrol-powered CS35 PLUS, which has taken over the mantle from the Classic CS35. Moving forward, CHANGAN Auto is expected to keep the CS35 PLUS as its volume driver in this space, continuing to update the model to remain competitive in an aggressive compact crossover market.
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