Suv Petrol 7-Speed DCT FWD 5-seat

Changan UNI-S

Price in South Africa, real specs & fuel economy — 2026

Model year 2026 Generation First current South African UNI-S retail generation, offered in CS, CL and CE grades. Body style SUV
The turbocharged UNI-S spreads one 138 kW DCT powertrain across CS, safety-focused CL and fully equipped CE grades.
ZAR 389,900
On-road in
ZAR 405,578
Ex-showroom ZAR 389,900
Finance estimate from ZAR 6,818/month Based on 1.5T AT CS Ex-showroom basis · approx. 20% deposit · 11.5% p.a. · 60 months · no balloon
Engine:1500cc (1.5L) Torque:300Nm (221 lb-ft) Power:138kW (185 bhp) Boot475L (16.8 cu ft)

Hover or tap any pill for a plain-English explanation. Bracketed values show common equivalents (bhp, lb-ft, inches, cu ft).

Fuel Economy km/l · US mpg equivalent
Combined 14.49 km/l (34 mpg)
City To be announced
Highway To be announced

On-road pricing varies by dealer. Fuel figures are manufacturer claims or source-backed estimates where a separate city/highway cycle is not published; your real numbers depend on traffic, terrain and driving style.

Model Range PDF
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Estimate monthly vehicle finance for the Changan UNI-S in South Africa. The default illustration uses the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest over 60 months and no balloon payment.

Estimated monthly instalment
ZAR 6,818
Total Interest
ZAR 99,062
Total Payable
ZAR 409,062
Principal Interest

* Illustrative estimate based on the ex-showroom price, approximately 20% deposit, 11.5% nominal annual interest, 60 months and no balloon payment, using the 1.5T AT CS. Excludes initiation fees, monthly service fees, credit-life insurance and vehicle insurance. Your lender quotation may differ.

Source-backed vehicle data • Verified by the Hagalu team

Changan UNI-S

The turbocharged UNI-S spreads one 138 kW DCT powertrain across CS, safety-focused CL and fully equipped CE grades.

The UNI-S is Changan’s current five-seat South African SUV positioned between a purely price-led crossover and the larger, seating-flexible CS75 Pro. Its three grades—CS, CL and CE—share a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 138 kW and 300 Nm through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Changan also lists three driving modes, electronic power steering and independent multi-link rear suspension. Because the mechanical package is common, the buying decision is principally about safety assistance, cabin trim and convenience rather than extra power. CS establishes the range with 18-inch wheels, LED headlamps, a 10.25-inch instrument display, 12.8-inch infotainment, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, cruise control, rear parking sensors and front and side airbags. CL is the pivotal step. Its safety upgrade brings curtain protection, integrated adaptive cruise, forward and pedestrian collision detection with emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, plus lane-departure and lane-keeping functions. It also changes the tactile experience through microfiber-leather seating and steering-wheel trim, a six-way electric driver’s seat, heated power-folding mirrors and rain-sensing wipers. CE builds on CL with 19-inch wheels, eight speakers, blind-spot and lane-change assistance, reverse cross-traffic and rear-collision warnings, straight-in-and-out automatic parking, seat and mirror memory, an electric passenger seat, powered tailgate and panoramic sunroof. This structure matters more than a generic good-better-best label. A household prioritising assistance systems and curtain protection should compare CL directly with CS, because the middle grade carries the large safety-content change. CE is primarily the complete convenience and monitoring version. It does not gain a stronger engine. Changan currently starts CS at R389,900, CL at R429,900 and CE at R469,900; all three carry a vehicle warranty capped at five years or 150,000 km and servicing cover capped at five years or 90,000 km. The 138 kW output is strong on paper for the price band, but Changan does not publish a final South African 0–100 km/h time on the model page. Buyers should assess initial DCT response, overtaking and gradient performance in the exact grade with an ordinary load. The larger wheels on CE may also influence ride, tyre cost and pothole resilience even though they do not change engine output. A short smooth demonstration loop will not resolve those differences. UNI-S is most convincing as a technology-led road SUV. The brochure and page establish its screens, assistance equipment and suspension layout, yet exact braked towing capacity and normal ground clearance remain not yet clarified in the published South African information. Those absences prevent confident towing or difficult-road claims. For ordinary commuting and family travel, however, the range supplies an unusually clear equipment ladder and enough common mechanical content to make a disciplined trim comparison possible.

Changan UNI-S — Quick Facts

Changan UNI-S Variants & Prices

Pick up to 3 variants, hit Compare Variants and you'll get a proper side-by-side spec breakdown.

Maximum 3 variants reached
Uncheck one of the selected variants below before choosing another.
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T AT CS Cs Petrol 7-Speed DCT ZAR 389,900
1.5T AT CL Cl Petrol 7-Speed DCT ZAR 429,900
1.5T AT CE Ce Petrol 7-Speed DCT ZAR 469,900
Cmp Variant Trim Fuel Transmission Price
1.5T AT CS Cs Petrol 7-Speed DCT ZAR 389,900
1.5T AT CL Cl Petrol 7-Speed DCT ZAR 429,900
1.5T AT CE Ce Petrol 7-Speed DCT ZAR 469,900
2 variants selected

Changan UNI-S Specifications

Length
4539 mm
Width
1865 mm
Height
1680 mm
Wheelbase
2656 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
Not Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
167 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
51 l
Boot/Cargo Space
475 l
Kerb Weight
1505 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1825 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.66 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
Driving fit

Where the Changan UNI-S Fits Best

A practical view of the buyer and roads this model is best suited to.

Who buys this

UNI-S is for a buyer who wants a compact-to-mid-size SUV with a stronger turbo engine and a visible technology ladder. CS fits the driver who values output, screens and smartphone integration while controlling purchase price. CL is the rational family choice when curtain airbags and forward, lane and adaptive-cruise systems are priorities. CE serves someone who will use blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, memory functions, electric tailgate and panoramic roof often enough to justify the extra cost. Buyers should not choose CE merely because it sits at the top; its 19-inch tyres and additional equipment bring ownership costs and complexity. A careful shopper should quote insurance and replacement tyres for the exact grade and confirm that each assistance feature operates in a way the regular driver finds clear rather than intrusive.

City
In town, all grades combine the same turbo-DCT powertrain with rear parking sensors and a large centre screen. CS therefore covers the central commuting task, but CL’s forward-collision and lane assistance become relevant on dense arterial roads. CE adds blind-spot detection, door-opening warning, reverse cross-traffic alert and automatic parking, which may matter in a tight urban routine. Test the DCT during slow creep, a hill start and a quick gap rather than evaluating it only once traffic is flowing. The 18-inch CS and CL wheels should be compared with CE’s 19-inch set over patched surfaces and speed humps. Check screen legibility in sunlight, phone reconnection after restarting and whether essential climate functions remain easy to reach. Parking aids support observation; they do not replace a direct view around pedestrians and cyclists.
Highway
The common 138 kW and 300 Nm figures mean highway performance should be broadly shared, leaving assistance and comfort to separate the grades. CS provides ordinary cruise control. CL and CE add integrated adaptive cruise and lane support, but the driver must learn their operating limits and remain responsible for speed and position. Use a representative motorway and secondary-road route to assess wind noise, DCT kickdown, steering at the legal limit and stability with passengers. CE’s eight-speaker audio and memory features improve convenience rather than range or performance. Changan’s local page does not publish an exact braked towing rating, so a towbar, trailer or caravan decision must wait for written derivative-specific approval. Fuel planning should use a recorded real route because no city, highway or independently verified real-world consumption values complete the current evidence set.
Off-Road
UNI-S has SUV styling, hill-start assistance, hill-descent control and traction control, but those items do not establish an off-road drivetrain. The exact normal clearance and towing capacity remain outstanding, and the current local material does not justify a four-wheel-drive claim. Treat it as a paved-road vehicle that can approach maintained gravel carefully. On gravel, reduce speed for tyre protection, leave stability systems active unless the manual directs otherwise and remember that CE’s 19-inch tyres may offer less sidewall than the 18-inch fitment. Avoid deep ruts, water and sharp crests without written limits. A buyer regularly visiting remote sites should ask for tyre availability, underbody inspection points and recovery instructions, then consider a verified 4x4 product if the route demands more.
4.2/5
Hagalu editorial score 4.2 out of 5 Reviewed by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-09-07

Changan UNI-S — Should You Buy It?

4.2/5
Changan UNI-S review: 138 kW and 300 Nm across every grade
Hagalu editorial review by Hagalu Editorial Team · 2026-09-07

The turbocharged UNI-S spreads one 138 kW DCT powertrain across CS, safety-focused CL and fully equipped CE grades. UNI-S gives buyers a useful common mechanical foundation and three equipment strategies. CS is the value-performance entry, CL adds the equipment most likely to change family-safety consideration, and CE completes the convenience and surrounding-monitoring package. The published ownership cover supports the range's case over the first years of use. Missing local clearance, towing and performance evidence should keep claims disciplined. For many buyers CL may be the centre of gravity because it adds curtain airbags and major assistance systems without CE’s larger wheels and full luxury spend. CE remains the correct choice when its parking, blind-spot, memory, roof and tailgate functions are genuine daily benefits. This Hagalu desk review weighs the published South African specification against the vehicle's intended buyer and use; it is not a road test, owner survey or customer rating.

Desk research: Scored from verified published sources and Hagalu's South African buyer analysis; this vehicle was not road-tested for this review. This is a Hagalu editorial score, not a customer rating.

Safety 4.2/5 · 20%
4.2/5
Value 4.3/5 · 20%
4.3/5
Practicality 4.2/5 · 20%
4.2/5
Ownership 4.0/5 · 15%
4.0/5
Powertrain suitability 4.2/5 · 15%
4.2/5
Comfort & technology 4.4/5 · 10%
4.4/5

Evidence reviewed: Hagalu maintains the detailed source record internally so this page does not promote third-party vehicle websites.

How this score is calculated · Methodology v1.0

A coherent three-grade turbo SUV whose middle CL carries the most important safety-content step.

UNI-S gives buyers a useful common mechanical foundation and three equipment strategies. CS is the value-performance entry, CL adds the equipment most likely to change family-safety consideration, and CE completes the convenience and surrounding-monitoring package. The published ownership cover supports the range's case over the first years of use. Missing local clearance, towing and performance evidence should keep claims disciplined. For many buyers CL may be the centre of gravity because it adds curtain airbags and major assistance systems without CE’s larger wheels and full luxury spend. CE remains the correct choice when its parking, blind-spot, memory, roof and tailgate functions are genuine daily benefits.

What's Good
  • ✓138 kW and 300 Nm across every grade
  • ✓Seven-speed DCT standard
  • ✓Large dual-screen presentation
  • ✓Smartphone integration standard
  • ✓CL adds curtain airbags
  • ✓CL adds major active assistance
  • ✓CE adds broad side and rear monitoring
  • ✓Five-year or 90,000 km service plan
  • ✓Three clear price steps
Watch Out For
  • ✕Official acceleration remains not listed
  • ✕Normal ground clearance not yet clarified
  • ✕Braked towing capacity not yet clarified
  • ✕CE gains no extra engine output
  • ✕CE 19-inch tyres may cost more
  • ✕CS lacks curtain airbags
  • ✕CS lacks advanced driver assistance
  • ✕No verified four-wheel-drive derivative
  • ✕Real-world fuel figures remain outstanding

Changan UNI-S FAQs

Current recommended retail prices for the Changan UNI-S run from R389,900 to R469,900, depending on the derivative. Compare the exact trim before calculating finance because options, insurance and dealer charges can change the final monthly cost.

The current South African range comprises 1.5T AT CS, 1.5T AT CL, 1.5T AT CE. Prices and equipment are shown by derivative so buyers can compare the actual local range rather than specifications from another market.

The listed engine capacity for the Changan UNI-S is 1500 cc, with output shown as 138 kW (185 bhp). Where a model has more than one derivative, compare the specific variant because fuel type, gearbox and drivetrain can change the way it drives.

The combined fuel-economy figure shown for the Changan UNI-S is around 14.49 km/l.

UNI-S is for a buyer who wants a compact-to-mid-size SUV with a stronger turbo engine and a visible technology ladder. CS fits the driver who values output, screens and smartphone integration while controlling purchase price. CL is the rational family choice when curtain airbags and forward, lane and adaptive-cruise systems are priorities. CE serves someone who will use blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, memory functions, electric tailgate and panoramic roof often enough to justify the extra cost. Buyers should not choose CE merely because it sits at the top; its 19-inch tyres and additional equipment bring ownership costs and complexity. A careful shopper should quote insurance and replacement tyres for the exact grade and confirm that each assistance feature operates in a way the regular driver finds clear rather than intrusive.

In town, all grades combine the same turbo-DCT powertrain with rear parking sensors and a large centre screen. CS therefore covers the central commuting task, but CL’s forward-collision and lane assistance become relevant on dense arterial roads. CE adds blind-spot detection, door-opening warning, reverse cross-traffic alert and automatic parking, which may matter in a tight urban routine. Test the DCT during slow creep, a hill start and a quick gap rather than evaluating it only once traffic is flowing. The 18-inch CS and CL wheels should be compared with CE’s 19-inch set over patched surfaces and speed humps. Check screen legibility in sunlight, phone reconnection after restarting and whether essential climate functions remain easy to reach. Parking aids support observation; they do not replace a direct view around pedestrians and cyclists.

The common 138 kW and 300 Nm figures mean highway performance should be broadly shared, leaving assistance and comfort to separate the grades. CS provides ordinary cruise control. CL and CE add integrated adaptive cruise and lane support, but the driver must learn their operating limits and remain responsible for speed and position. Use a representative motorway and secondary-road route to assess wind noise, DCT kickdown, steering at the legal limit and stability with passengers. CE’s eight-speaker audio and memory features improve convenience rather than range or performance. Changan’s local page does not publish an exact braked towing rating, so a towbar, trailer or caravan decision must wait for written derivative-specific approval. Fuel planning should use a recorded real route because no city, highway or independently verified real-world consumption values complete the current evidence set.

Buyers researching the Changan UNI-S often compare it with rivals such as Chery Tiggo 7 Pro , KIA Seltos , GWM Jolion Pro , MG ZS Pro , Volkswagen T-Cross . Comparing them side by side is the quickest way to see where your money goes — performance, fuel use, price and running costs can differ substantially.

Compare Changan UNI-S with Similar Suvs

Tap any card to see a full head-to-head — specs, scores and a clear verdict on which one's worth your money.

Changan UNI-S
VS
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro
UNI-S vs Tiggo 7 Pro
Petrol SUV 1 Variant
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro from ZAR 389,900
See full specs & who wins →
Changan UNI-S
VS
KIA Seltos
UNI-S vs Seltos
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Changan UNI-S
VS
GWM Jolion Pro
UNI-S vs Jolion Pro
Petrol SUV 3 Variants
GWM Jolion Pro from ZAR 392,150
See full specs & who wins →
Changan UNI-S
VS
MG ZS Pro
UNI-S vs ZS Pro
Petrol SUV 2 Variants
MG ZS Pro from ZAR 397,600
See full specs & who wins →
Changan UNI-S
VS
Volkswagen T-Cross
UNI-S vs T-Cross
Petrol SUV 5 Variants
Volkswagen T-Cross from ZAR 399,900
See full specs & who wins →

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Data verified against: Changan Official South Africa Website

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