Let’s face it, cars nowadays cost a lot of money. Anything priced at the 1.1-1.5 million mark is considered “good value,” despite that number representing what a Camry or Montero Sport cost around a decade ago. It’s a sad reality of economics that car prices continue to increase on a yearly basis, with no apparent end in sight.
Anytime an automaker launches a sub-million-peso car, people are immediately skeptical about its quality and offerings. I, on the other hand, relish the idea that there are true bargains to be had, just like the recently launched Changan Eado Plus Luxe.
To be clear, my interest in the Eado began by seeing the billboard, which claims that it’s the “Number 1 Best Selling Sedan in China.” That alone is a bold claim and a strange one, too. I don’t recall hearing anyone buy a car based on how it sells in another country. Anyway, I had to find out if Changan is on to something or if it’s just another half-baked play to help boost a rather stagnant brand.
I was actually excited to get my hands on the Eado Plus, and to be fair, it wasn’t misplaced. The moment I saw it, I knew it was a serious product. Looks-wise, it is rather normal and subdued, but there are some design cues, like the aggressive-looking front fascia, that keep it away from looking bland. The same can’t be said for the rest of the car, as the side and rear designs are very “standard,” which isn’t so bad; it looks like a modern sedan, and that’s all it needs to do.
The variant I was lent was the Luxe, which sits at the very top of the Eado lineup at P 799,999. At that price, you’d expect the interior to have nothing, yet Changan delivers in terms of mixing basic with modern necessities. Firstly, the touch points are (as you’d expect them to be) hard plastics, but there are some soft touch panels to break the “base” feel. Also, for something this simple, the build quality was exceptional, with no weird panel gaps or creaking interior panels. I was taken aback at how good the Eado Plus feels inside for the price point.
When it comes to equipment, the Eado Plus Luxe has the essentials. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, automatic climate control, push-button start and stop, and a fully digital instrument cluster. What impresses me most, though, are the convenience features that Changan included. The Luxe variant has adjustable headlights, traction control, heated side mirrors, automatic headlight function, automatic door locking, and even a remote start function. Even the rear passengers get an air conditioning vent and a USB charger. I appreciate that these features are there, giving you a sense that the brand still cares about you, even if you bought at the bottom end of the lineup. Changan did a great job of eliminating and keeping the right things. I don’t mind that the interior light doesn’t have an option to stay on when the doors are open, or that it lacks overhead grab handles, or a sun visor mirror.
Next up is the space, now the Eado Plus is priced like a sub-compact (Vios, City, Almera) but is sized like a compact (Altis, Civic, Elantra). Interior space is plentiful; in my driving position, someone taller can still fit behind me. Headroom and legroom are abundant, and the rear seats have proper child seat ISOFIX harnesses for safer car seat applications. Furthermore, the 2nd-row back rests fold completely flat, allowing for more cargo space, not that you’d be lacking because as standard the Eado Plus comes with 500 liters of cargo capacity.
On to the driving dynamics, and I’m pleased to report that it feels okay to drive. It is powered by a naturally aspirated gasoline engine, a 1.5-liter engine that makes 105 hp and 145 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed wet-type dual-clutch transmission. Power delivery is actually quite smooth, and the engine tries very hard to stay quiet, which it does pretty well even at the occasional 3,000 rpm shift. Steering is light, which is a plus for city driving, but the ride is where it excels the most; the ride is very comfortable without being too soft and wallowy.
Another ace that the Eado Plus holds is its fuel tank capacity and fuel-efficient engine. I’ve tried this Bluecore technology before in the small CS15 crossover, and once again, it remains one of the most fuel-efficient gasoline engines on the market. For context, the Eado Plus has 53 liters of fuel capacity compared to the Vios’ 42 and the City’s 40. Even more shocking, when I first started the Eado Plus, the trip computer showed 830 kilometers of full tank range, which is in hybrid territory.
On the highway, the Eado Plus can get up to a respectable 15-16 km/L. It is still a heavy sedan with a small engine after all, but in the city during very heavy traffic, it can do 10 km/L. I battle-tested it, having had it the week of the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), I drove from Pasig to Pasay 4 times that week, and the thirstiest it got was, in fact, 10 km/L. My only real issue with the car is the dual-clutch transmission; while it isn’t bad, it isn’t great either. At slow speeds, it’s smooth and quick to shift, but on inclines, it gets confused, uphill and downhill, leading it to jerk.
As a whole, I was genuinely surprised by how good the Eado Plus is; it is a true bargain in the purest sense of the word. I was so impressed that I admittedly am considering it as a replacement for my old car, but this is where the caveat comes in and the reason why I’m on the fence.
Changan as a brand isn’t the biggest in the Philippines; over the years, it has dwindled into a brand that just “exists.” It isn’t really growing or expanding. Which is a shame because it’s been in the Philippines much longer than brands like Jetour, which now outpaces it sales-wise, and it couldn’t take advantage of stumbles by competitors like Geely or GAC. Don’t get me wrong, the cars aren’t bad at all, but I have a fear that they might not stick around, leaving owners with problems sourcing parts and getting repairs.
That’s a major issue and consideration, especially for folks who buy at the sub-million-peso price range; a car to them is a luxury they can’t afford to gamble on. Let me give you an example, Uly had the MG5 Prestige for review, which is a direct competitor of the Eado Plus. If you haven’t read the review, it was less than stellar, yet the MG5 costs P 100,000 more than the Eado Plus.
Despite this, the MG5 is the smarter purchase, simply because MG Philippines has 50+ dealerships nationwide, compared to Changans 15, giving buyers the access they need for parts and servicing.
Which is why, no matter how good or affordable the Eado Plus is, until Changan expands and shows proper growth, I’m not sure if it’s a risk worth taking (yet).
Words and Photos by Pablo Salapantan
A DCT equipped tranny for this economy car is unbelievable. A japanese car at 300k more expensive can only give a trashy CVT. Shame.
ReplyDeleteCVTs are comfier than DCTs. Both are crap tho. Personally I'd get at least a ZF 8-speed.
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