Changan Oushang Cosmos

Model Overview

The Changan Oushang Cosmos is a mid-size MPV rolled out under Changan Automobile's Oushang sub-brand. Officially launched in January 2019, it was positioned as an "executive business and travel MPV". Serving as Changan's major MPV offering following the Joice, the model catered to dual roles of corporate transport and family getaways, boasting segment-exclusive dual powered sliding doors and versatile seating configurations as its primary USPs. The lineup offered two petrol engines—a 1.5-litre turbo and a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated mill—paired with either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT), configured in a 2+2+3 seven-seater layout. The model was phased out following its final revision in 2022, with official pricing for petrol variants ranging from RM99,800 to RM168,800, while the all-electric Cosmos EV retailed at RM166,800. Weighed down by weak brand equity and persistent quality concerns, the MPV had a relatively muted market run.

Design Language

The Cosmos features a mature and stately exterior design fitting its executive MPV brief. Early units sported a signature U-shaped corporate grille for distinct brand presence. The 2022 facelift saw a bold styling overhaul, introducing a significantly larger black mesh grille with an aggressive "X"-motif outline, which, coupled with smoked garnishes, injected greater road presence. Flanking sleek headlamp clusters blend into the front grille, accentuating the vehicle's visual stance. In profile, a continuous shoulder line complements a floating-roof aesthetic, anchored by 17-inch alloy rims. Around the rear, the quasi-connected light bar on early versions made way for a full-width LED taillight cluster on the 2022 model, complemented by a roof spoiler to impart subtle sportiness and depth.

In terms of exterior dimensions, the MPV measures 4,840 mm in length, 1,860 mm in width, and 1,865 mm in height (with select variants standing at 1,890 mm), riding on a 2,820 mm wheelbase. For a mid-size people mover, this 2,820 mm footprint yields a generous foundation for genuine three-row passenger accommodation.

Inside, the Cosmos features an ergonomic wrap-around dashboard architecture. Extensive soft-touch leatherette wraps the dashboard top and door cards, highlighted by quilted diamond stitching for an upscale ambience. The 2022 iteration stepped up equipment with a full digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch integrated infotainment touchscreen, powered by the incall 4.0 operating system with built-in AutoNavi 3.0 navigation. A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel puts primary vehicle settings at the driver's fingertips. Physical buttons and rotary dials were retained on the centre stack for fuss-free operation on the move. Meanwhile, a roof-mounted rear entertainment screen caters to passengers in the back.

Powertrain and Performance

The Cosmos was offered with two petrol engines—a 1.5-litre turbo and a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated unit—alongside a pure electric variant (Cosmos EV) on selected trims:

1.5T Petrol Variant: Driven by Changan’s in-house Blue Core 1.5TGDI all-aluminium turbocharged four-pot, pushing out 131 kW (178 PS) and 265 Nm of peak torque. It channels drive to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual (6MT) or a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (7DCT). The 2022 lineup was trimmed to exclusively offer the 1.5T + 7DCT pairing. Top speed figures remain unquoted, with NEDC rated fuel economy hovering between 8.0 and 9.0 L/100 km. It runs on RON 92 petrol, though exact fuel tank capacity is unspecified.

1.6L Naturally Aspirated Variant: Fitted with a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated engine good for 94 kW (128 PS) and 168 Nm of torque. Shifting duties were handled exclusively by a five-speed manual gearbox (5MT). Due to only meeting China V emissions standards, this entry-level mill saw a brief commercial lifecycle.

Pure Electric Variant (Cosmos EV): Driven by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 90 kW and 260 Nm of torque. Juiced by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, it claims an NEDC driving range of 401 km (dropping to roughly 350 km in real-world cold-weather conditions). Priced at RM166,800, the EV locked in 3,000 corporate fleet orders prior to market introduction, geared largely towards commercial logistics and e-hailing fleets.

Chassis and Handling

The Cosmos is constructed on a front-wheel-drive monocoque chassis. Underneath, it employs a front MacPherson strut setup alongside a rear torsion beam configuration. This is a quintessential layout in this segment, striking a fine balance between highway stability and rear floor space optimisation. Steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system calibrated for low-effort manoeuvring.

Braking hardware includes all-round disc brakes supported by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold. The 2022 variant introduced a standard 360-degree surround-view monitor to ease tight parking manoeuvres. It rides on 215/60 R17 rubber accompanied by a space-saver spare wheel. An Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is fitted as standard across the range to guarantee active vehicular stability.

Cabin and Features

The cabin of the Cosmos prioritises cabin roominess and seat comfort above all, boasting a 2+2+3 seven-seater layout. The second row features two individual captain seats with fore-and-aft slide and backrest recline functions; range-topping grades step up comfort with integrated leg rests and swivel capabilities. These middle-row seats can pivot backwards to face the third row around a fold-out table, catering to on-the-go business meetings or mobile family interactions. The third-row bench incorporates split-folding, though it fails to collapse completely flat with the boot floor, slightly eating into outright cargo utility. Baseline boot capacity has not been officially specified.

Convenience and comfort amenities clearly demarcate the trim ladder. High-grade models are equipped with twin powered sliding doors—a headline selling point in this price bracket—which can be operated remotely via the smart key, interior toggle switches, or exterior door handles. Other premium kit on upper specs includes a panoramic sunroof, leather-wrapped steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, power-adjustable driver's seat, and heated front seats.

On the tech front, the 2022 models and top trims boast the incall 4.0 infotainment system, encompassing a 10-inch touchscreen display, AutoNavi 3.0 GPS mapping, voice recognition, and connected-car services. Top-spec grades also receive an integrated T-Box telematics system, allowing owners to remotely check door/sunroof closures, remaining fuel, and cabin air status via a smartphone app, in addition to remote air-con pre-cooling, door locking/unlocking, lighting checks, and remote engine start.

Cabin climate is regulated by an automatic air-conditioning system with dedicated rear ceiling blower vents across all grades. Ample USB charging ports and 12V power sockets are peppered across all three rows.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Passive Safety: The Cosmos comes standard with dual front airbags, while front side airbags are reserved for higher trim levels. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS with direct digital readout), ISOFIX child seat tethers on outer seats, and three-point seatbelts for all seven occupants are standard fitment. The body structure features a high-tensile safety cell designed to preserve cabin integrity in the event of an impact.

Active Safety: Baseline electronic aids fitted across the board include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP/DSC). Auto Brake Hold and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) are also standard inclusions.

Driver Assistance: Advanced driver aids are rudimentary on the Cosmos. The range makes do with standard rear reverse sensors, while upper-spec units gain a 360-degree camera setup. The MPV lacks Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)—such as Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, or Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)—retaining a basic Level 0 rating and falling well behind contemporary class rivals in active safety tech.

User Complaints and Reliability Issues

Based on consumer grievance records from 12365auto, the Cosmos suffered from a distinct cluster of technical snags, primarily stemming from the engine and transmission on 2019 and 2022 models:

Typical owner grievances primarily centre on four key areas:

1. Gearbox Failures: Multiple complaints concerning complete loss of acceleration, aggressive gear shift jerking, clutch slip, and transmission shudder, particularly prevalent on 2019 production batches.

2. Engine Faults: Dead accelerator pedal response, engine revving hesitations, and coolant system warning errors.

3. Electrical & Accessories: T-Box telematics offline issues and premature air-con compressor failures.

4. Aftersales Disputes: Refusal by service centres to honour warranty pledges and disputes over delivery of problematic stock.

In terms of dispute resolution, the manufacturer’s reply rate on the portal hovered at 50% in 2026, with only a portion of reported cases resolved. Several case files also indicated a lack of follow-through on compensation promises made between the OEM and franchised 4S dealerships.

From owner forums, verified buyers routinely singled out the middle-row captain chairs for praise—noting that "the second-row seats are the main selling point of the Cosmos; being able to recline them flat to rest, combined with the power sliding doors, makes ingress and egress effortlessly practical." On the flip side, complaints were directed at the uneven third-row fold hindering practical cargo volume, alongside a crashy, unrefined suspension ride over rough patches.

Market Reception and Verdict

Since its market debut in 2019, the Cosmos struggled to make meaningful commercial inroads. Despite running through the 2019 launch, a minor 2021 update, and a 2022 facelift, the model failed to capture notable market share in the MPV space. Development ceased following the 2022 model year, and both internal combustion and fully electric variants have since been shelved. The Cosmos EV variant, introduced in 2025, relied heavily on fleet purchases with an initial batch of 3,000 corporate bookings geared towards commercial ride-hailing operations.

Its primary segment rivals included domestic Chinese MPVs like the Maxus G50, GAC Trumpchi M6, and JAC Refine M4. Against them, the Cosmos’s strongest advantages lay in its 2,820 mm wheelbase, comfortable 2+2+3 seating arrangement, segment-exclusive dual power sliding doors, swivel-capable second-row chairs with deployable table trays, and generous smart telematics (incall 4.0 software with T-Box remote capability).

However, its shortcomings proved decisive: weak brand recognition (with Changan Oushang lacking mainstream cachet), uncompetitive positioning for the 2022 1.5T Automatic Business trim tagged at RM168,800, recurring powertrain snags spanning jerky gear shifts and sudden loss of drive, a complete absence of Level 2 ADAS driver aids, and a dismal consumer satisfaction rating of 1.0 out of 5.0 stars.

Overall customer sentiments can be summarised cleanly. Key plus points include: plush second-row ride comfort with near-flat recline, executive feel courtesy of the twin powered sliding doors, decent leatherette tactile touches across the dash, and acceptable output for routine runabouts. Weak points encompass: compromised luggage versatility due to the stepped boot floor, brittle suspension damping, persistent DCT shift judder, and early air-con compressor failures on selected production runs.

Summary

Conceived as Changan Oushang’s key strategic contender in the mid-size MPV arena, the Changan Oushang Cosmos held significant promise upon its 2019 launch, trading heavily on its 2,820 mm wheelbase, practical 2+2+3 seven-seater layout, class-exclusive dual powered sliding doors, and modular second-row swivelling seats. Its incall 4.0 infotainment and T-Box connected smartphone app presented an attractive tech suite at that price point. Mechanically, the Blue Core 1.5T engine matched to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission delivered adequate pace for routine corporate transport and family road trips.

Nevertheless, commercial delivery fell far short of ambition. The 2022 1.5T Automatic Business variant’s RM168,800 sticker price placed it at a severe pricing disadvantage against better-established segment rivals. Far more detrimental, however, were the recurring quality grievances across 2019 and 2022 models—most notably dead throttles, sudden loss of drive, and severe DCT judder—which dealt a heavy blow to owner trust. A bottom-tier consumer rating of just 1.0 star painted a clear picture of market dissatisfaction. Compounded by Oushang's minimal brand leverage in the passenger MPV space, the Cosmos ultimately faded into obscurity without making a dent in the segment.

Product revisions ceased after the 2022 model, leading to its eventual phase-out. Although the battery-electric Cosmos EV was showcased in 2025 with 3,000 corporate fleet units secured, it failed to generate any real buzz in the private retail space. For used car buyers eyeing a pre-owned Cosmos, extreme caution is warranted regarding the DCT gearbox’s history of slipping, juddering, and throttle lag; verifying full service logs and inspecting transmission behaviour on a test drive is non-negotiable. If you strictly need flexible seating, second-row lounging comfort, and sliding doors on a tight budget, the Cosmos may hold some novelty on the used market. However, for those prioritising mechanical durability, modern ADAS safety systems, and hassle-free service backup, opting for better-sorted, proven rivals in this bracket remains the far smarter choice.