Changan UNI-K

The cabin of the 2024 Changan Uni-K is rather premium. All seats are made of beige-coloured leather, along with the rest of the upholstery. The well-crafted and tech-rich interior prioritizes comfort and convenience. High-quality materials and attention to detail are evident all through the cabin. The dashboard gets soft-touch plastics that are prone to smudges. Hard plastics have been widely used in the cabin to keep production costs low. The central armrest has storage space and cupholders. The car comes with ambient lighting, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control with rear air vents, and a central armrest for the rear seat. The 12.3-inch infotainment unit is connected to a Sony 12-speaker audio system. The display is crisp, and the unit supports voice commands. Most of the functions can be controlled with the leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel. A 10.2-inch screen displays driver information.

A number of Chinese carmakers borrow designs from established brands in a bid to reduce their production cost. No wonder many Chinese cars look strikingly European. The 2024 Changan Uni-K is in the same league. It looks much like the Porsche Cayenne. Though the Changan Uni-K is styled like a high-end crossover, its front looks like a sports utility vehicle (SUV). The grille looks like the lines on a circuit map. The car gets all-round LED lighting. The headlight and gloss black inserts lend a premium feel. 2024 Changan Uni-K runs on massive 21-inch alloy wheels. The back diffuser, sporty quad-exhaust tips, and the airship-shaped roof spoiler lend the car a sporty look. The car gets a crossover-style roofline. The rear part somewhat resembles the Porshe Macan, but it isn't exactly a copy-paste of the German car. The Uni-K gets distinctive LED headlights, trident daytime running lights (DRLs), front and rear fog lamps, and mirror-integrated turn indicators. The body contour professes strength and agility and lends the car a commanding road presence. The flush door handles look premium. 

The cabin of the 2024 Changan Uni-K is rather spacious. The ergonomics are spot-on and provide a comfortable driving experience. The two front seats get the maximum legroom and are electronically adjustable. The rear seat is comfortable for two passengers, but accommodating three adults would be a bit tight. Under-thigh support is good, and passengers don't have to sit thigh-up. The rear seat gets its own air vents. The doors are large and allow easy ingress and egress. The electric boot has 518 litres of space, which is among the biggest in class. The suspension is nicely tuned, and the cabin is nicely insulated from bumps and potholes.   

The 2024 Changan Uni-K is equipped with a turbocharged, four-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol engine that produces 230 PS/390 Nm. The motor is mated to an Izen-soured eight-speed automatic. The transmission is seamlessly mated to the engine, and power delivery is instant. The driving experience is superb, with smooth braking and great noise isolation. There's a rotary dial to choose the driving mode. The steering is light. The car's compact size makes handling easy.

The 2024 Changan Uni-K comes with advanced driver-assist features that include semi-autonomous driving. The features provide an added layer of convenience and safety, particularly during long highway drives. Other features include a 360-degree camera, traction control, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and other functions. The 2024 Changan Uni-K is among the best-equipped cars in its segment.

At a starting price of AED 180,000, the 2024 Changan Uni-K is an affordable premium crossover. However, Changan is a less-established brand, and there are still doubts about its long-term durability. The car offers a comfortable ride and comes with a great set of features that could prove worthy to many buyers.