All-Wheel Drive Changan CS75 Plus Arrived in Russia as a Different Car

The fourth generation of the Changan CS75 Plus is appearing on the Russian market noticeably faster than expected: only two years have passed since the launch of the previous version. But the novelty turned out to be not a cosmetic upgrade, but actually a different car — with an updated platform, redesigned interior, and the long-awaited plug-in all-wheel drive. Against the background of the rapid expansion of the Changan market line, this speed of updates looks like a pattern: the concern operates at the pace of the domestic market, and not at European intervals. On Russian territory, the CS75 Plus tried itself for the first time in honest winter conditions — in the Murmansk region, where the roads are pre-wrapped in dense snow.

The vehicle type approval for the imported all-wheel drive version was issued at the end of September, but the first batches reached dealers closer to the end of November. So far, only one modification is officially sold — a two-liter version with 235 horsepower with an Aisin automatic transmission and a 4WD system. The documentation also indicates front-wheel drive versions with a 1.5-liter and a detuned two-liter engine, but the decision to launch them will be made later, focusing on the demand for the older configuration. At the same time, import costs are also growing: the recycling fee from December rises above 800 thousand rubles, and from January — even higher, so there will be no point in importing fresh batches after the announced date. The next stage is assembly at the Kaliningrad Avtotor, where other Changan models are already produced.

The launch of local assembly begins with the most popular models. Uni-S today provides the main share of the brand's Russian statistics, CS35 Plus remains the second largest, and CS75 Plus has recently occupied a more modest place. The representative office cites a miscalculation with the price and the lack of favorable loan programs as the reason. Nevertheless, demand for the model picked up closer to the end of the year, and the manufacturer significantly intensified promotion. Older generations still remain in warehouses and will coexist with the fourth in the coming months.

The main differences of the novelty lie in the technology. The wheelbase has been increased by 90 mm, which has significantly improved the space in the second row. The Fangzhou platform, on which the crossover is built, was created with an eye to a more rigid body architecture and modern electronics. The Aisin automatic transmission remained the same type, but received new gear ratios. The interior has been completely redesigned and stylistically closer to the concept of older models of the brand. But the most interesting thing is the appearance of all-wheel drive, which is important for the Russian climate.

The transfer of traction to the rear axle is provided by a BorgWarner hydraulic clutch. In "Economy" mode, it is open, and the car moves strictly as a front-wheel drive. The "Snow" mode in real winter conditions turned out to be excessively gentle and does not give the expected advantage. On slippery sections with variable grip, the "Gravel" mode is the most stable, providing an even distribution of traction. On deep drifts and loose snow, the optimal combination is the "Sport" mode with ESP disabled — in such conditions, the driver gets a direct connection with the road and a predictable response to the gas. The "Sand" mode is also suitable for snowdrifts, but its benefit is revealed only where the resistance of the snow is high.

The suspension gives the impression of being universal. On asphalt, the car demonstrates stability, almost no roll and confident work on fast lane changes. On a winter dirt road, the character becomes more "urban" — the suspension travels are short, but there is enough energy intensity to avoid breakdowns and maintain control on serious bumps. Diagonal hanging helps to simulate inter-wheel locks, and on both axles. A significant limitation for off-road trips is ground clearance: the nominal 190 mm turns into a slightly smaller value under the plastic protection, but with careful driving, contact of the bottom with irregularities can be avoided.

The interior is made in the spirit of the latest Changan trends: a wide panel combines three displays — instrument, central and passenger. The number of physical buttons is minimized, climate control, multimedia and auxiliary functions are placed on the central screen. The graphics are bright, and the menu structure is intuitive. The instrument panel requires a small refinement of the logic: some of the functions of the on-board computer are hidden too deep, and switching data does not always happen as expected. The surround view cameras, on the contrary, are made at a high level and give a detailed picture.

The front seats are comfortable, but the strangeness is that the lumbar support adjustment is available for the passenger, but not for the driver. In the top version, the front passenger seat can be folded out into a chaise longue and is equipped with an ottoman. Luxe is devoid of double glazing, but provides good sound insulation, especially in the front. The rear row offers enough knee space, heating and a comfortable armrest.

From the point of view of practicality, the CS75 Plus corresponds to the statement that it can become the only car in the family. The turbo engine provides confident dynamics even under load, all-wheel drive adds confidence on slippery surfaces, and the interior has comfort for everyday trips. Critical questions are raised only by the lack of galvanizing of the roof and the behavior of the Snow mode, which requires adjustment. For the C-class crossover segment, the novelty has become a clear rival to Haval F7, Tenet T8 and other popular models. In the case of an adequate pricing policy, interest in the car in 2026 may increase significantly.

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