Changan Kaiceng Honor S

Model Overview

The Changan Kaiceng Honor S is a mainstay microvan model from Changan Kaiceng, the commercial vehicle arm of Changan Automobile. Its lineage traces back to the original Changan Honor (Ounuo), which subsequently evolved into the Honor S series. First launched in December 2017 and updated continuously over the years, the vehicle has established itself as one of the brand's key offerings in the commercial van market, earning solid recognition among suburban logistics operators and small business owners thanks to its versatile and practical design.

Dimension-wise, the Honor S measures between 4,450 mm in length, 1,685 mm in width, and 1,810 mm to 1,835 mm in height depending on the variant, riding on a 2,750 mm wheelbase. It features a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RWD) layout powered solely by petrol. In terms of pricing, official retail prices sit between RM45,400 and RM54,400, with dealer offers in selected regions dipping as low as RM46,900. Its primary selling points include an expansive passenger and cargo capacity that caters to dual-purpose transport duties, alongside an exceptionally accessible entry price.

Design Language

The styling of the Honor S takes a straightforward, boxy approach. Up front, dual horizontal chrome slats merge with the headlamps on either side, giving the fascia a neat, layered appearance. Guided by a function-first design ethos, the lower front bumper and fog lamp housings carry a rugged profile. The lower perimeter of the vehicle makes extensive use of scratch-resistant black and grey unpainted plastic cladding to keep repair and upkeep costs low during everyday cargo operations.

The side profile is boxy and upright with straight lines, maximizing cabin length and headroom for both passengers and cargo. Dual manual sliding doors with wide apertures come as standard, allowing effortless passenger boarding and cargo loading in narrow streets. At the rear, an upright tailgate is framed by vertical tail lamps and generous rear windscreen glass to aid rearward visibility when reversing. Depending on the variant, the vehicle comes in either passenger van or panel van body configurations. Inside, the cabin adopts a dark-toned interior with a symmetrical dashboard, a four-spoke plastic steering wheel, and analogue instrument dials; seven of the eight variants in the range are equipped with steering column-mounted paddle shifters.

Powertrain Performance

Under the bonnet, the entire Honor S range is powered by a JL473QG 1.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder multi-point injection petrol engine (1,480 cc), pushing out 78.5 kW (107 hp) and 145 Nm of torque. Both the engine block and cylinder head are constructed from aluminium alloy, fully complying with China VI emission standards.

Power is channelled via a 5-speed manual gearbox across the board, tuned for RON 92 petrol. Under the NEDC test cycle, combined fuel consumption is rated at approximately 6.7 to 6.9 L/100 km, supported by a 42-litre fuel tank. Top speed is rated at 155 km/h. On the road, power delivery is biased towards the mid-to-high rev range; while everyday cruising hovers between 1,500 and 2,000 rpm, a more noticeable surge arrives past 2,500 rpm, accompanied by a noticeable rise in engine noise under hard acceleration.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the Honor S features a quintessential commercial van chassis setup. Up front is an independent MacPherson strut arrangement, while the rear relies on a load-biased, non-independent leaf spring setup. This leaf spring configuration provides robust payload support, maintaining body composure and tyre traction even under heavy loads; however, this compromises unladen ride comfort, resulting in noticeable bounce over uneven surfaces when running empty. Steering is handled by an electric power steering (EPS) system offering a light, effortless feel. Braking duties are managed by front discs and rear drums, wrapped in 185/70 R14 tyres.

Cabin and Equipment

The standout highlight of the Honor S is its flexible interior configuration. Depending on the variant, it is available in 5-door 2-seater, 5-door 5-seater, and 5-door 7-seater layouts, catering to dedicated logistics hauling, commercial trade, and family commuting alike. The 7-seater version features a 2+2+3 seating layout with individual second-row captain seats, providing easier third-row access and superior seating comfort compared to a conventional bench. Earlier iterations also offered an 8-seater configuration to cater to specialized commercial transport needs.

In terms of creature comforts, manual air conditioning is standard across the board, with most variants adding rear air-con vents or even dedicated rear climate controls. Seats are trimmed in fabric throughout. On the infotainment side, a colour central display screen with Bluetooth phone connectivity comes standard, though digital instrument clusters and sunroofs are omitted across the range. Higher-spec and customized variants gain a reverse camera and GPS navigation.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

Safety specifications on the Honor S are strictly utilitarian and somewhat uneven. On the active safety front, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) are standard across all on-sale variants (100% fitment). However, passive safety remains sparse: the vast majority of variants lack airbags, with only one of the eight models on sale (around 12%) featuring a driver's airbag, while front passenger airbag fitment stands at zero. Advanced electronic driver aids such as Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control are completely absent. Other safety items include a driver's seatbelt reminder, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alert, and ISOFIX child seat anchors. On the advanced driver-assist front, the Honor S features no Level 2 or higher ADAS functions (such as adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist), sticking purely to conventional, analogue driving fundamentals.

Market Performance and Reviews

As a volume driver for Changan Kaiceng, the Honor S rivals segment contenders like the Wuling Rongguang and Haise X30L, locking into particularly intense rivalry with the Wuling Hongguang. In terms of sales performance, full-year deliveries in 2025 totaled 11,142 units, placing 19th overall in the MPV category with an average monthly volume of under 1,000 units; moving into 2026, cumulative sales through March 2026 recorded 1,681 units, with monthly figures easing down to a few hundred units.

Owner sentiment leans largely positive, judged mainly against practical everyday utility. Drivers commend its spacious cabin, plush seating, versatile seating configurations, and decent fuel efficiency. However, criticisms are equally distinct: many owners cite the sparse safety kit (airbags missing on most variants) and stiff rear suspension that detracts from passenger comfort, alongside gear shifts that could be smoother. Furthermore, based on consumer complaint data from 12365auto, common reliability issues reported for the Honor S include paint peeling and corrosion, rust on the chassis and engine bay, and water ingress into the cabin. Nonetheless, as an entry-level van in the RM50,000 ballpark, the Honor S retains a dependable reputation among grassroots commercial operators due to its sheer practicality and low running costs.