Changan Uni-K entered the Russian market at a time when Chinese brands were actively filling the niche of mid-size crossovers, and quickly became an alternative to the familiar Tiggo 8 Pro Max and Geely Monjaro.
The model is noticeably larger than many competitors: almost 4.9 m long, a wheelbase of 2890 mm, and a design with an emphasis on futuristic lines. It is important that the Russian versions completely repeat the Chinese ones, without any "cuts" in terms of equipment and appearance, which is rare for deliveries from China.
The technology is also modern: a 2.0 JL486ZQ5 gasoline engine with 226 hp or a plug-in hybrid iDD with a 1.5-liter engine, a 150 hp electric motor, and a 30.74 kWh battery, providing 130-135 km of electric range. The total reserve of charge and fuel for the PHEV version reaches 1000-1100 km, but the hybrid remains unpopular due to its high price.
The JL486ZQ5 gasoline engine belongs to the BlueCore family: aluminum block, turbocharging, direct injection, chain drive, and electronic pumps. In Russia, it operates in a softer configuration than in China, but owners note confident starting in frosts down to −35 °C and the absence of oil consumption even on mileages exceeding 60-70 thousand. Among the rare breakdowns are cases of the heat exchanger gasket drying out, which causes emulsion in the antifreeze, and defects in the alternator overrunning clutch - dealers readily acknowledge these as warranty cases. Sometimes, dips in traction are recorded during sudden acceleration, but there is no widespread problem. The hybrid 1.5 JL473ZQ6 behaves even more stably, and cases of failures on the Uni-K iDD have no statistics at all: the model is expensive, sales are low, but experts note the successful adaptation of the unit from the Uni-T and CS55 Plus to the PHEV system.
The Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission is considered one of the Uni-K's strong points. It requires ATF replacement every 60,000 km and demonstrates predictable operation even with active driving. A separate incident with a leak in the heat exchanger in one of the cars ended with a complete replacement of the gearbox under warranty - this is important for the brand, as there are no widespread problems. Everything is also calm with the BorgWarner all-wheel drive: the control unit under the seat is susceptible to moisture, but in the absence of traces of water, dealers replace the module free of charge.
The Uni-K's chassis looks ambiguous. The scheme is familiar: McPherson struts at the front, multi-link suspension at the rear. Comfort on small bumps is decent, but on large potholes, the rear axle can transmit stiffness, and the shock absorbers sometimes "hit" on sharp joints. On individual units, the floating silent blocks of the axle fail by 20-37 thousand km - this problem has been confirmed by owners and occurs more often than desired. There is nothing like this on the Uni-T and CS55 Plus, which indicates a design feature of the Uni-K in particular. There have been complaints about the rear hub bearing and the cardan suspension bearing in frosts, but the statistics are minimal.
Electrics and electronics are a traditional area of increased attention, but without disasters. In early versions, the multimedia system froze and rebooted, but the 2024 update solved the problem. Oxidation of the connectors of the surround view cameras is encountered, which leads to the disconnection of the front or side cameras. It happens that the power windows and mirror adjustment stop working due to moisture in the door harnesses. In cold weather, owners face errors in assistance systems and attempts by the car to "not recognize" the key - most often, the culprit is a dead battery, which the Uni-K, rich in electronics, consumes quickly.
The interior as a whole is assembled neatly, but there are squeaks in the trim near the mirror and panorama - solved by lubrication. A universal problem is dust under the windshield seals, causing a slight crunch, but this is treated with ordinary cleaning. The trunk is small for the car's dimensions - 351 liters, but the second row is more spacious than most competitors, which explains cases of buying the Uni-K as a car with a driver.
Owners highlight the soft suspension on small bumps, decent dynamics, and good sound insulation. The disadvantages include sensitivity to ruts, mediocre climate control, average-quality audio system, and capricious wipers. Some are embarrassed by the behavior at speeds above 130 km/h - the car requires precise wheel alignment.
The car's warranty is 5 years or 150,000 kilometers, but suspension elements are protected only up to 20,000, which looks like a weak spot. At the same time, for key components - engine, transmission, electrics - the Changan Uni-K proves to be significantly more stable than many classmates, especially if timely maintenance is provided.
In Russia, the price starts from 4 million rubles.