The last Changan vehicles I’ve driven were their first generation models here in the Philippines. That includes the CS35, CS55, and Alsvin. Last year they introduced their Nevo sub-brand for their electrified offerings. One of which is this Q05 compact crossover that retails at PHP 1,449,000. That’s a few notches below the top of the line trims of its rivals. Does that translate well to a good driving experience?
The Q05 is off to a good start with its minimalist aesthetic and functional bits here and there. The only eyebrow raising thing is them hopping on the “aero” wheels trend, which doesn’t really look good on any car. The wheels are alloys, but because of the design it looked plastic. If they went for something more simple, the Q05 would’ve been an eye-catcher specially from the rear quarter with its clear taillight housing, bunny-ear third brake light, and protruding tailgate spoiler.
Heat isn’t an issue in the cabin as there’s a solid cover for the panoramic sunroof. The second row will greet you with the couch-like cushion of the seats, dedicated USB-A charging ports, and the abundant space it has. That’s why it’s a bit of a let down that there’s only one air vent here, probably just for circulation and not really directional towards a passenger (although you can). If not for that, this back row would’ve been perfectly comfortable.
Sportiness is more apparent in the front section of the cabin. The steering wheel shape alone is that of a sports car. It even has grooves on the top section, which is handy for one handed driving but not really something I’d encourage. The seats hug well and the foam is the same soft cushion as the second row. Ergonomics is mostly good except the USB ports are on the underside of the center console. The gloss black accent on the dashboard is textured to avoid dullness, while contrast stitching is employed on many areas to exude a more premium look.
What I liked about it is the minimal learning curve, especially for people like me who have a basic ICE hatchback. All the crucial things are where they’re supposed to be, and they are just modernized. Extra points for having the digital gauge cluster separate and deep into the dashboard to avoid glare on daytime driving.
Where it gets tricky for the Q05 is the tech amenities. For one, the touchscreen isn’t responsive once you’re moving. It has a hard time reading inputs from a jittery finger. Good thing the touch-based buttons for the air controls are a bit more sensitive and easier to touch.
There’s a dedicated button for an SD card which is a miss. I think that should’ve gone to the Drive Modes as the Drive Mode knob actually controls the power mode – hybrid, ev, etc. If you want to scroll for Eco, Normal, Sport – you’d have to dig in the touchscreen and do so when the vehicle is not moving.
It doesn’t look like it but the Changan Q05 packs a good punch. There’s around 268 horsepower and up to 470 Nm of torque – figures you only get at premium, big-engine or twin-turbo crossovers before. The power modes might be too many to handle, but it can get familiar easily if you allot around 15 minutes of your time. I just wish the Drive Modes were more accessible though, instead of the power modes getting that dedicated knob.
It’s a good drive for the most part. It won’t burden you with all that power even if you floor the throttle, unless you’re in sport mode. The cabin is quiet and if you’re not fiddling around with the controls, it is a solid driving experience. Sure, the open pipe exhaust of kamote cycles will still force itself into the cabin but apart from that, you only need a few notches of music to have your own world inside the Q05.
Then again, I said most part. That’s because the Q05 has a relatively stiff suspension than its peers. It’s most felt at non-asphalted road humps, mini jumps at connecting sections of bridges, and in dilapidated truck lanes in the city. It doesn’t have a lot of give in its compression so the cabin absorbs a good chunk of that bump. The tradeoff for that is the Q05 is more stable in higher speeds and even in turning.
What stood out to me is the Q05 is truly aimed at fuel efficiency. It has 2 hybrid modes – PHEV and REEV and even there, the battery is the one assisting the engine and not the other way around. The battery and electric motors support the gasoline engine even in hill ascents and hard acceleration among others. Usually in such cases the engine is left to fend for itself but not here in the Q05. You’ll love driving it in the city since if you’re not going past 60 kph, it will really consume the battery charge first maximizing the efficiency you can gain for the fuel. My drive even with traffic yielded 21.2 km/l which is highway figures already.
The Changan Q05 can fulfill its range promises, at least in theory. However, it will be challenging for it to find footing in such a saturated segment. There’s the Ford Territory, BYD Sealion 6, and the pair of Toyotas in the Yaris Cross and Corolla Cross. The only thing going for it is its frugal fuel consumption, and its undercutting price of PHP 1,449,000, and how easy it is to operate if you’re coming from a traditional car. There are flaws but suspension aside, most of them are minor. If you’re looking for a crossover that speaks to you in minimalist aesthetics, modern function, and top notch efficiency, the Q05 might be up your alley.
