The Changan CS75 PHEV is Changan Automobile's maiden plug-in hybrid SUV in the new energy vehicle (NEV) segment, serving as the first mass-production PHEV following the unveiling of the marque's "Shangri-La Plan". Officially launched on 12 September 2018 at the Shanghai 1862 Old Shipyard, the SUV debuted in three variants—Progressive, Elite, and Pilot—priced between RM198,800 and RM229,800 before subsidies, and RM165,800 to RM196,800 post-subsidy nationwide. In February 2020, the China 6-compliant CS75 PHEV was rolled out, with revised prices ranging from RM176,800 to RM207,800 across the range. Positioned as a C-segment 5-door, 5-seater SUV, all variants come standard with an electric all-wheel-drive (AWD) layout. At launch, first-hand private owners enjoyed exclusive ownership privileges, including a lifetime battery cell warranty and lifetime roadside assistance. As of 2026, the model is officially listed as "discontinued" across major automotive portals.
In terms of exterior styling, the Changan CS75 PHEV retains the overall silhouette of the petrol-powered CS75 while incorporating dedicated electrified styling cues. The front end sports a large smoked star-mesh radiator grille, complemented by blue accents on the dot-matrix grille inserts and front wings to denote its PHEV identity. The headlamps feature a split low/high-beam setup, with C-shaped LED daytime running lights matching the blue trim elements. According to the carmaker, the complex front-end tooling was supplied by a tooling specialist that has long served ultra-luxury marques like Rolls-Royce. The side profile adopts a tapering greenhouse proportion with defined dual character lines, paired with PHEV-exclusive 18-inch two-tone blue-and-black 5-spoke alloy wheels for a robust, athletic stance. At the rear, full-width LED taillights are paired with twin exhaust tailpipes, ensuring high nighttime visual recognition. The SUV measures 4,650 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,695 mm in height (1,705 mm with roof rails), with a 2,700 mm wheelbase, placing it squarely in the compact SUV segment.
Inside, the CS75 PHEV features a wraparound cabin architecture, with soft-touch materials and faux wood grain trim extensively adorning the dashboard. It offers two bespoke interior colourways—Charm Blue and Dazzle Purple—with light blue upholstery exclusive to the PHEV variant. The digital cockpit houses a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument cluster alongside a 10.25-inch floating infotainment touchscreen, supporting dual-screen mirroring and multi-screen gesture sharing. A flat-bottom leather multifunction steering wheel is fitted, while the traditional gear lever is replaced by an aircraft-style electronic shift-by-wire toggle with an integrated Park (P) button for enhanced ergonomics. The overall cabin perceived quality was well-received by reviewers, with many noting that it matched the benchmarks of joint-venture rivals.
In terms of practicality, the 2,700 mm wheelbase yields generous rear legroom. However, as the traction battery pack is housed beneath the rear bench, the seat cushion height is slightly lower than that of the petrol variant, marginally compromising under-thigh support. The rear seats offer split-folding functionality; the boot measures 775 mm in maximum depth, 1,370 mm in width, and 755 mm in height, expanding load capacity significantly when folded. A 220V domestic three-pin socket is located in the boot, capable of an external power output of up to 3 kW.
At the heart of the Changan CS75 PHEV is the "Three-Engine 4WD E-Hybrid" system, comprising a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and three electric motors.
The internal combustion engine delivers 105 kW (approx. 143 PS) and 200 Nm of torque. The electrified setup utilises a P1+P3+P4 tri-motor configuration: a P1 integrated starter-generator (ISG) motor (70 kW) is mounted to the crankshaft to handle engine start-stop and power generation; a P3 traction motor drives the front axle (70 kW, 200 Nm); and a P4 motor powers the rear axle (80 kW, 200 Nm), paired with a Schaeffler 2-speed reduction gearbox. Together, the system develops a combined output of 255 kW (approx. 347 PS) and a peak torque of 605 Nm, eclipsing the outputs of mainstream 3.0T V6 luxury engines. It does away with a conventional multi-speed gearbox, utilising a GKN second-generation single-speed reducer on the front axle to ensure seamless power delivery. The benchmark 0–100 km/h sprint is completed in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 180 km/h.
Energy storage comes from a 12.96 kWh CATL-sourced ternary lithium-ion battery pack mounted under the rear seats. It offers an NEDC pure electric range of 60 km and an NEDC combined driving range of up to 800 km. For charging, an AC slow charger takes roughly 3.3 to 3.4 hours for a full top-up, with a home wallbox bundled as standard. Rated under the MIIT NEDC cycle, combined fuel consumption stands at 1.6 L/100 km, while depleted-battery fuel consumption is rated at around 5.5 L/100 km, with media real-world mixed testing recording approximately 3.9 L/100 km.
The SUV features dedicated Charge and Save modes; in Charge mode, idling the engine for 1.5 hours can replenish the battery up to 80%. It also boasts a 3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external discharge capability, allowing users to run domestic electrical appliances directly from the 220V boot socket—a handy feature for outdoor camping.
Underneath, the CS75 PHEV rides on front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup. Due to the traction battery and dual drive motors, kerb weight increases significantly to 2,020 kg compared to the petrol model. However, the additional mass lends the chassis a more planted, refined feel. On the road, the suspension delivers adequate damping support, competently ironing out continuous undulations and high-frequency road chatter, thereby improving ride comfort over the petrol derivative. Body roll is well-managed through quick direction changes, with the rear axle exhibiting composed damping control.
Featuring an electronically controlled electric AWD system, the SUV offers two AWD modes: Smart AWD, where the system automatically engages all-wheel drive based on driving demands; and Full-Time AWD, which permanently drives all four wheels for enhanced traction on unpaved surfaces. Dedicated terrain modes—including Mountain, Mud, and Snow—are also available for tackling trickier road conditions.
Drive mode selections include EV (Pure Electric), ECO, AUTO, and SPORT, supplemented by CHARGE and SAVE energy management modes. The braking setup uses TRW's latest EPBi integrated brake control system, achieving a 100–0 km/h stopping distance of just 36.5 metres—a stellar figure in its class. Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allow drivers to toggle through six levels of regenerative braking intensity to match individual driving preferences.
On the equipment front, all CS75 PHEV variants come standard with a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument display and a 10.25-inch floating infotainment touchscreen powered by the Incall 3.0+ telematics OS. The system supports GPS navigation, voice command, connected car services, and over-the-air (OTA) updates, with higher variants adding remote vehicle telematics via a smartphone app. Upper-spec models gain a 360-degree surround-view monitor with a built-in drive recorder and the APA 4.0 automated valet parking system. The centre console employs touch-capacitive controls for a clean, high-tech aesthetic. Mid-to-high variants also feature the Forest Air II cabin air purification system with integrated PM2.5 filtration.
Faux leather upholstery is standard across the board, alongside an electrically adjustable driver's seat. The Elite variant adds ventilated and heated front driver seating and a power-adjustable front passenger seat, while the range-topping Pilot model adds heated/ventilated front passenger seating and rear "boss switch" passenger adjustment controls. On the NVH front, extensive acoustic insulation keeps electric drive motor whine well suppressed, earning high praise for overall cabin quietness. Premium trims also benefit from an opening panoramic glass sunroof, 7-colour ambient lighting, and an 8-speaker audio system.
In terms of passive safety, the CS75 PHEV is constructed with a high-strength safety cell structure and comes standard with six airbags (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain airbags), coupled with pre-tensioner and load-limiter seatbelts. Standard active safety kit includes Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), front and rear parking sensors, and a reverse camera across all variants. Even the base Progressive trim comes equipped with a passenger-side blind-spot camera.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) form the centrepiece of the higher-spec models. The Elite variant and above feature full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC, 0–150 km/h) and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with vehicle and pedestrian detection. The flagship Pilot variant builds upon this with a full ADAS suite, incorporating Blind Spot Monitoring (Blind Spot Information System / Lane Change Assist), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), APA 4.0 Automated Parking Assist, Auto Brake Hold, and a 360-degree camera. The APA 4.0 system supports remote-controlled parking in and out of tight bays via key fob, solving tight parking spot dilemmas. Comprehensive active safety highlights on top variants also include AEB braking assist, LDW, and BLIS active blind-spot monitoring.
Upon hitting showrooms, the Changan CS75 PHEV struggled to meet sales expectations. As Changan's pioneering plug-in hybrid SUV, it contended with stiff rivalry in the compact PHEV segment from the likes of the Roewe eRX5 and BYD Song DM. It initially drew healthy consumer interest thanks to its competitive post-subsidy entry price of RM165,800, standard AWD across the range, generous kit, and green-car number plate privileges in quota-restricted tier-one Chinese cities like Shanghai. However, the model only received a minor China 6 update in 2020 without undergoing a comprehensive full-model redesign. By 2023, Changan's electrified CS75 badge was superseded by the CS75 PLUS Smart Electric iDD, which similarly failed to gain meaningful market traction—recording just 835 unit deliveries throughout 2023. Industry sources revealed that third-generation CS75 PLUS Smart Electric iDD production was halted after roughly 3,000 units, with future PHEV nameplates consolidated under the Changan Qiyuan sub-brand, rebadged and re-engineered with a P1+P3 architecture. As of 2026, the entire CS75 PHEV lineup has been officially phased out.
From an industry perspective, the CS75 PHEV held distinct technical advantages over contemporary peers in powertrain output, AWD capability, and automated parking features. However, its lukewarm commercial run highlighted broader market dynamics: in 2018, China's PHEV market was predominantly driven by local regulatory plate incentives, and the CS75 PHEV lacked sustained iterative R&D investment post-launch. Furthermore, Changan's NEV brand equity trailed behind early pioneers like BYD. Over the ensuing years, with the emergence of dedicated, cost-effective hybrid powerhouses like the Song Pro DM-i and Song PLUS DM-i, the CS75 PHEV's technical blueprint and value proposition quickly fell out of step. Industry analysts concluded that the vehicle's greatest legacy was serving as Changan's pioneering "0 to 1" engineering testbed, laying vital groundwork in powertrain calibration, AWD tuning, and hybrid control strategies for the brand's subsequent electrified offerings.
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