Changan Eado Plus

Model Overview

The Changan Eado PLUS is the core model in Changan Auto's Eado stable, positioned as a C-segment family sedan and serving as the flagship saloon in Changan's "PLUS" family strategy. Since its debut in 2012, the Eado nameplate has traversed the market for over 13 years; as of early 2026, cumulative deliveries have surpassed 1.9 million units, and it emerged as the top-selling domestic petrol-powered sedan in 2025. The lineup has undergone several generational shifts: early iterations offered two petrol powertrains—a 1.6L naturally aspirated unit and a Blue Whale NE 1.4T turbocharged engine—while the 2026 fourth-generation Eado is powered by the Blue Whale Super Engine HEV hybrid setup, marking a major leap from traditional ICE power to hybrid electrification. In terms of pricing, the 2025 1.4T petrol version carries a retail price of around RM86,900, while the 2026 fourth-generation Eado Blue Whale Super Engine was launched with an early-bird promotional price ranging from RM79,900 to RM89,900.

Design Language

The styling of the Eado PLUS has evolved substantially over the years. Early PLUS variants featured a "Light and Shadow Progressive" borderless front grille that swept outwards into the headlamp clusters, accented with chrome pins or blackened mesh inserts to deliver a wide, planted stance. Down the flanks, it sported a segmented shoulder line and a sleek fastback silhouette, complemented by full-width LED tail lamps and dual exhaust finishers at the rear. Early dimensions were rated at 4,730 × 1,820 × 1,505 mm with a 2,700 mm wheelbase. The 2026 fourth-generation Eado embraces the brand's latest "Zongheng Wanxiang" design philosophy, sporting a distinctive V-wave ripple front grille and 18-inch Flame Blade alloy wheels, while overall dimensions have grown significantly to 4,785 × 1,840 × 1,460 mm with a 2,765 mm wheelbase. These proportions rival traditional D-segment sedans, delivering segment-busting rear cabin space where three adult passengers can comfortably cross their legs with generous shoulder room. Inside, early variants featured a 10.25-inch dual-screen setup integrated within a driver-oriented, wraparound cockpit, paired with a yacht-style gear selector and dual-tone red-and-black leather upholstery; the fourth-generation model upgrades to a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 14.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen powered by the Changan Tianshu Smart Cockpit system.

Powertrain & Performance

The powertrain lineup of the Eado PLUS showcases a clear progression from internal combustion to electrification. Early petrol variants packed a Blue Whale NE 1.4T direct-injection turbo engine producing 118 kW (160 PS) and 260 Nm of torque, mated to a Blue Whale 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Built on Changan's modular Blue Whale NE platform, this Euro 6/China VI-compliant engine bagged the prestigious 2019 "China Heart" Top Ten Engines award. Entry-level PLUS variants also offered a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine (94 kW/161 Nm), paired with either a 5-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The Blue Whale 7-speed wet DCT boasts a 94.3% transmission efficiency, returning a combined fuel consumption figure as low as 5.6 L/100 km. The 2026 fourth-generation Eado introduces the Blue Whale Super Engine HEV full-hybrid system—marking Changan Auto's first sedan to feature this powertrain—combining a 72 kW 1.5L naturally aspirated engine with an electric motor boasting 98.1% peak efficiency; the traction battery supports an ultra-high 50C discharge rate and 80 kW peak output, achieving a claimed urban fuel consumption of just 2.98 L/100 km. The hybrid-dedicated engine features ultra-high-pressure direct injection running 42% above the industry-standard 350 bar and pushes thermal efficiency close to 45%, striking a fine balance between punchy output and stellar fuel economy.

Chassis & Handling

Under the skin, the Eado PLUS rides on a front-wheel-drive (FWD) platform supported by MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam setup at the rear. The rear torsion beam layout was selected primarily to maximise rear legroom and boot space, a staple configuration for mass-market family sedans in this category. The damping is tuned for plush ride comfort, soaking up road imperfections effortlessly to provide a smooth, settled cruise. Despite its pliant ride, the chassis retains Changan's signature tautness, staying firmly planted with virtually no float even at 120 km/h highway speeds. Body roll is well-contained during moose tests and spirited cornering, performing competitively for its class; working alongside the Traction Control System (TCS), it delivers dependable stability for daily driving. The electric power steering (EPS) is lightly weighted, delivering nimble low-speed manoeuvring while weighting up reassuringly at higher speeds. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid discs, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Hold.

Cockpit & Equipment

On-board tech remains one of the strongest selling points of the Eado PLUS. Early versions were equipped with the inCall connected infotainment system complete with a five-year complimentary data package, supporting GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone mirroring, telematics, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. The 2026 fourth-generation Eado steps up to the Tianshu OS infotainment platform, featuring a DeepSeek-powered AI large-language-model voice assistant as standard across the range, supporting full-scenario voice commands that handle everything from vehicle settings to complex conversational prompts effortlessly. The central touchscreen supports Apple CarPlay, HUAWEI HiCar, and Carlink, covering 95% of mainstream smartphones for seamless ecosystem integration. Creature comforts on the fourth-generation Eado include a Qi wireless charging pad, an 8-speaker sound system, 256-colour ambient lighting, a panoramic glass sunroof, and heated and ventilated front seats. Boot capacity is rated at a generous 500 litres in its standard layout, easily swallowing luggage for daily family runs and interstate balik-kampung trips.

Safety & Driver Assistance

Safety-wise, the Eado PLUS comes well-equipped as standard with dual front airbags, front side airbags, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ABS, EBD, and Electronic Stability Programme/Control (ESP/ESC). The body shell is constructed with a high-strength safety cell, providing robust passive occupant protection in the event of a collision. On the active safety front, range-topping variants gain Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go (ACC-SG, operating between 0–150 km/h) and Pre-collision Assist Braking (PAB). The fourth-generation Eado Blue Whale Super Engine features the Tianshu Vision ADAS suite; on highways and expressways, Navigation Cruise Assist (NCA) handles automated lane changing, adaptive speed matching, and junction merge avoidance, complemented by Automated Parking Assist (APA) for effortless parking. High-voltage battery safety on the hybrid variant is reinforced with a 41% energy-absorption crumple zone and tests exceeding national standards, backed by 24/7 cloud-based battery health monitoring with real-time user alerts for complete peace of mind.

Market Performance & Reception

The Eado nameplate remains one of the most enduring models in the Chinese domestic family sedan segment. In 2025, it took top honours as the best-selling Chinese-branded petrol sedan; in January 2026 alone, monthly sales hit 14,760 units, marking 11 consecutive months of five-figure sales volume. By early 2026, cumulative Eado ownership surpassed 1.9 million drivers, cementing a formidable reputation for continuous technological refinement and customer satisfaction. In the fiercely contested compact sedan category, the Eado PLUS goes head-to-head with the Geely Emgrand and BYD Qin PLUS, holding its ground in the top tier thanks to its advanced Blue Whale powertrains, cutting-edge dual-screen cockpit, and relentless product updates. In March of the same year, the fourth-generation Eado successfully underwent gruelling extreme-cold, low-friction, and long-haul endurance trials during CCTV's "Fengyun Auto · Ice and Snow Carnival", proving its engineering robustness and reliability in sub-zero environments. On the used car market, three-year-old Eado models with under 60,000 km on the clock hold roughly 55% to 65% of their residual value, steadily closing the depreciation gap with same-segment joint-venture rivals. From its inception in 2012 to entering the electrified era in 2026, the Eado series has not only reflected Changan Auto's journey from an underdog follower to an engineering front-runner, but has also established itself as a quintessential benchmark in the history of Chinese family sedans.