Changan Alsvin

The cabin of the Changan Alsvin has an all-black layout, which has an asymmetric design for the centre console and contrast silver accents for the inner door handles, steering wheel and centre console. The layout of the dashboard looks unique but has begun to show its age, because it has been in existence now for more than half a decade.

The driver’s cockpit of the Changan Alsvin includes a three-spoke V-themed steering wheel with a conventional instrument console behind it, which has traditional analogue gauges. The asymmetric centre console has a standalone 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system sitting at the top while having AC vents, controls for the audio buttons and controls for the auto AC arranged vertically.

The dashboard, while having smooth contours over the co-passenger side, also has rounded AC vents with piano black surrounds. Apart from the features mentioned above, the Changan Alsvin doesn’t get many other features in its cabin, apart from the basics like power windows and 4-way adjustability for the front seats, making the cabin feel basic by today’s standards.

In its third-generation version, which is on sale in the UAE right now, the Changan Alsvin became much more contemporary to look at when compared to its predecessor. However, the car has been on sale now for more than half a decade without any changes to its exterior design, which makes it look outdated in the company of its direct competition.

The Changan Alsvin has an X-shaped fascia at the front, which houses sleek, bird-eye-shaped headlamps on the upper edges, a trapezoidal grille with horizontal chrome slats in the middle and fog lamps with chrome accents on the lower edges. The headlamp housing here gets projector bulbs, with this fascia and bonnet having a curvaceous look for an aerodynamic appeal.

The Changan Alsvin has a very simple appearance when viewed from the side profile. This four-door car has a conventional sedan look, with it having a prominent crease that emerges from the front fender and takes the form of a curve while approaching the rear fender. The sedan comes with eight-spoke silver alloy wheels as standard.

At the rear, the Changan Alsvin has a curvy design, which is heavily inspired by the previous-generation fluidic sedans from Hyundai. The curve for the integrated boot lid spoiler and haunches over the combination tail lamps adds some aerodynamic appeal to the rear profile of the Changan Alsvin. The rear profile of the Alsvin is complete with a black diffuser at the bottom of the rear bumper.

The Changan Alsvin rides on 14-inch wheels and comes with a suspension setup of Macpherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear. This cost-effective and basic setup combine to deliver a decently comfortable ride quality, with the light steering of the sedan helping it to be a car which is easy to drive at lower city speeds.

The sole engine and transmission combination offered in the Changan Alsvin is a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 5-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Changan claims a maximum power output of 105 PS and a maximum torque output of 146 Nm for the Alsvin, which are decent figures for a sedan primarily designed for urban use.

The basics offered in the Changan Alsvin, when it comes to safety, include dual front airbags, ABS, traction control, tyre pressure monitoring system, electronic stability control and hill hold control.

The Changan Alsvin is a dated product by modern standards, while not possessing any wow factor. However, for the price at which it is offered, the Alsvin can be a decent car for first-time buyers, who want an easy and affordable car with not much frills on offer.