The Changan Raeton PLUS is an A+-segment family sedan launched in September 2022 as a comprehensive facelift and upgrade of the Raeton CC. It once offered class-above competitiveness courtesy of its generous 2,770 mm wheelbase, punchy 188 PS 1.5-litre Blue Whale turbocharged engine, and rear multi-link independent suspension. However, following the brand’s strategic pivot towards new energy vehicles (NEVs), the model is now on the verge of discontinuation, recording a negligible sales figure of just 1 unit in April 2026.
Positioned as an A+-segment compact three-box sedan under Changan Automobile, its core highlights include an overall length of 4,800 mm, a 2,770 mm wheelbase, the Blue Whale NE1.5T engine (188 PS / 300 Nm), standard rear multi-link independent suspension across the range, and an attractive starting price of RM79,900 at showroom level. The 2024 line-up comprised five variants with recommended retail prices ranging between RM99,900 and RM122,900, which dropped to an entry price of RM79,900 following a RM20,000 dealer rebate.
Model history: Predecessor Raeton CC (debuted in 2019) → Facelifted and rebranded as Raeton PLUS in 2022 → Received minor annual updates through 2023–2024 → Discontinued for all practical purposes from 2025 onwards to clear remaining inventory.
Up front, the Raeton PLUS adopts a borderless parametric front grille reminiscent of Changan’s UNI series, with the emblem positioned centrally within the grille and flanked by slim, sharp LED headlamps for a modern, sporty aesthetic. Around the back, it features full-width LED tail lights complemented by dual exhaust garnish on either side. Dimensions stand at 4,800 mm long, 1,825 mm wide, and 1,465 mm tall, riding on a 2,770 mm wheelbase with 520 litres of boot space.
The cabin is fitted with a dual-screen setup comprising a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment display, while higher-spec trims add a head-up display (HUD) and a 50W Qi wireless smartphone charger. The electronic gear selector takes inspiration from the Changan UNI-V, with a pass-through storage cubby located beneath the floating centre console.
The range is powered by the Blue Whale NE1.5T turbocharged four-cylinder engine (code: JL473ZQ7), delivering 138 kW (188 PS) and 300 Nm of torque across a broad 1,500–4,000 rpm band. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Under the WLTC cycle, it returns a combined fuel economy of 6.44 L/100 km, achieves a top speed of 210 km/h, and runs on RON 92 petrol.
Underneath, the chassis employs front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension layout—a sophisticated setup for its price point that enhances both rear passenger ride comfort and high-speed stability. It features electric power steering (EPS), ventilated front and solid rear disc brakes, an electronic parking brake (EPB), and rides on 215/50 R17 tyres.
Variant hierarchy is distinct: the entry-level spec (RM79,900) comes equipped with a reverse camera, cruise control, Amap navigation, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and automatic climate control, but omits a sunroof. Mid-to-high variants add a 360-degree surround-view monitor with a transparent chassis view, full-speed adaptive cruise control (ACC), an operable panoramic glass roof, an electrically adjustable driver’s seat with heating and ventilation, and 64-colour ambient lighting. The flagship trim further incorporates Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
In 2024, a new “Lingyue” variant was introduced, deleting the panoramic sunroof and cutting the price by RM2,000 compared to the Linghang trim in response to market feedback regarding underutilised features.
Passive safety features include dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (on higher trims), and a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS). Active safety comes standard with electronic stability control (ESC), while higher-spec variants gain autonomous emergency braking (AEB), forward collision warning (FCW), and lane departure warning (LDW). Selected top-spec variants also feature a driver monitoring system (DMS) for fatigue detection.
Sales of the Raeton PLUS have been in steady decline. Across the first five months of 2024, monthly sales dwindled from 1,548 units in January to 906, 905, 721, and finally 345 units in May—marking four consecutive months of month-on-month drops—before plunging to just a single registered unit in April 2026.
Key Factors Behind the Slump:
Strategic Pivot: Changan redirected its core resources towards its NEV sub-brands (Deepal, Qiyuan) and premium UNI series, sidelining traditional ICE models like the Raeton PLUS
Intense Competition: In-house competition from the Eado PLUS and UNI-V cannibalised sales, while external plug-in hybrids like the BYD Qin PLUS DM-i slashed prices down to RM79,800, completely eroding the value proposition of pure ICE sedans
Owner Sentiment: Consumer complaints lodged on 12365auto.com revolved around infotainment software update delays and warranty policy adjustments, alongside user feedback pointing to higher-than-expected fuel consumption
Core Strengths in Retrospect: A 2,770 mm wheelbase, rear multi-link independent suspension, and a potent 188 PS 1.5T engine provided mechanical fundamentals that punched well above its price bracket among ICE rivals.
Final Verdict: The Changan Raeton PLUS is a mechanically competent A+-segment family sedan caught on the wrong side of timing. It delivered D-segment cabin space and chassis sophistication at a B/C-segment price point, only to be squeezed out by fierce NEV price wars and the manufacturer’s strategic transition. With production effectively ended, buying a new unit is no longer advisable. However, for those shopping the used car market, a well-maintained 2024 high-spec model (such as the Linghang or Lingyue variant) represents a compelling, high-value daily runabout, benchmarked against its final showroom runout price of roughly RM70,000 to RM80,000.
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