Changan UNI-T

Model Overview

The Changan UNI-T is the pioneer mass-production model under Changan Auto's premium passenger vehicle series, "UNI" (Gravity). Officially launched on 21 June 2020, it is positioned as a compact sports SUV. With its ground-breaking borderless design language and advanced tech suite, the SUV served as a pivotal spearhead for Changan's upscale brand migration during its third innovation and entrepreneurship campaign. Billed as a "mass-producer of future technology", the UNI-T garnered substantial buzz ahead of its debut, securing 7,414 units in its first month and quickly racking up over 20,000 bookings—with over 50% accounted for by buyers born in the 1990s. The lineup has undergone multiple iterations: initially priced between RM113,900 and RM133,900, the 2025 second-generation UNI-T carries an official recommended retail price of RM115,900 to RM139,900. The entire range retains the 1.5T + 7-speed wet DCT powertrain, having dropped the short-lived 2.0T + 8AT variant. Towards the twilight of its domestic lifecycle, monthly sales dipped to around 100 units; nevertheless, on the back of its forward-looking product attributes, it continues to be sold in export markets across the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Design Language

The UNI-T centres on a "borderless" design philosophy, with its defining signature being the "borderless front grille". Utilising a parametric approach, the grille meticulously arranges 150 diamond elements derived from multivariate geometric algorithms, transitioning seamlessly from the centre outwards to merge directly into the front bumper, erasing traditional visual boundaries. The split LED headlamp setup is cleverly integrated, with the main high/low beam units tucked almost invisibly within the black bumper air curtains, leaving twin razor-sharp LED daytime running lights (DRLs) to define an aggressive, menacing front profile. Along the sides, a fastback coupe-SUV silhouette meets a floating roof aesthetic, complemented by flush pop-out door handles that deploy upon unlocking for enhanced aerodynamics and sleek styling. Round the back, a twin-blade split rear spoiler and quad exhaust tips reinforce its athletic stance. Dimensionally, the standard model measures 4,515 mm long, 1,870 mm wide, and 1,565 mm tall, while the sportier variant extends to 4,580 × 1,905 × 1,565 mm courtesy of its aero body kit; both share a 2,710 mm wheelbase, giving it a wide-body footprint for a compact SUV. Inside, the revamped driver-centric wraparound cockpit features a flat-bottom D-shaped sports steering wheel, integrated bucket-style sports seats, and a yacht-style electronic gear selector, delivering an engaging, cockpit-like atmosphere.

Powertrain and Performance

Powertrain technology remains a core technical highlight of the UNI-T. The range is exclusively driven by Changan's proprietary Blue Whale new-generation NE 1.5T high-pressure direct-injection turbocharged petrol engine. At launch in 2020, it produced 132 kW (approx. 180 PS) and 300 Nm of torque. For the 2025 model year, output has been uprated to 138 kW (approx. 188 PS) and 300 Nm, with peak torque available from just 1,500 rpm to cover the most frequent daily commuting rev bands. Employing 500-bar ultra-high-pressure direct injection, fuel atomisation is substantially refined, achieving a 40% thermal efficiency and meeting China 6b emissions standards. Power is sent to the front wheels via a Blue Whale 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) boasting a 94.3% comprehensive transmission efficiency. The official 0–100 km/h sprint is clocked at 7.57 seconds (initial version) and 7.8 seconds (2025 model), with a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 6.45 L/100 km and a top speed of 205 km/h. Notably, a 2.0T + 8AT powertrain was briefly offered on the 2022 model year before being dropped in subsequent updates, cementing the 1.5T as the sole powertrain offering across the board. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) SUV runs on 92 RON petrol and is fitted with a 55-litre fuel tank.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the UNI-T offers a generous chassis specification for an RM100,000-bracket SUV, sporting all-round independent suspension via front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link setup. Compared with the torsion beam rear setups typical of rivals in this segment, the multi-link rear suspension delivers clear advantages in road bump absorption and cornering stability. The chassis is tuned with a distinct sporting bias, offering direct road feedback and reassuring cornering composure, albeit with a slight compromise on plush ride comfort over uneven surfaces. Subsequent revisions incorporated aluminium alloy suspension components to trim unsprung weight. Braking duties are handled by front ventilated discs and rear solid discs, managed by Continental's 3rd-generation ESC system with ABS, EBD, and traction control (TCS). Steering is managed by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system with selectable Standard and Sport weightings. Drivers can toggle between ECO, NORMAL, and SPORT driving modes alongside a dedicated Launch Control mode, while a floor-hinged organ-style throttle pedal and frequency-selective damping shock absorbers come standard across the range.

Cabin and Features

The 2025 second-generation UNI-T's cockpit is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor, anchoring an integrated curved dual-screen setup comprising a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen angled towards the driver, featuring dual-zone UI layouts for driving and stationary modes. Changan also debuted its STR (Suspend-to-RAM) fast-boot technology on the 8155 architecture, boosting infotainment GPU processing speeds tenfold over the previous generation. The system incorporates a "Scenario Cube" function, enabling users to create custom automation routines via the head unit or smartphone app—such as automatically winding up windows, switching AC to recirculation, and activating air purification when poor external air quality is detected. A full-time, wake-word-free multimodal voice assistant accepts direct voice commands and supports voice cloning and digital avatar customisation. In terms of equipment, flagship variants feature ventilated and heated front seats, an 11-speaker Sony sound system, and a built-in cabin fragrance dispenser, while integrated NAPPA-texture sports leather seats, a spaceship-inspired electronic shifter, three drive modes, and launch control are fitted as standard across the range. High-spec trims further gain a 50W wireless smartphone charging pad, a panoramic glass roof, and 20-inch Continental ContiSportContact 6 (MC6) high-performance tyres.

Safety and Intelligent Driving

For safety and ADAS, the UNI-T adopts a layered hardware and feature deployment. On the active safety front, Continental's 3rd-gen ESC and a 360-degree HD panoramic surround-view camera with transparent chassis view are standard across the board. Higher variants are equipped with a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving assist suite powered by millimetre-wave radars, HD cameras, and the 8155 chip. This bundles Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Decision Aid (LCDA), and Door Opening Warning (DOW). Additionally, the Smart Pilot flagship variant gains the APA 6.0 automated parking assist system, supporting automatic parking, remote parking via smartphone app, and automated lane changing. On the passive safety front, high-strength and ultra-high-strength steel make up 61% of the monocoque body, offering a maximum tensile strength of 1,500 MPa alongside 6 standard airbags. Note that while the first-gen UNI-T was initially advertised with Level 3 autonomous driving hardware capable of "eyes-off" driving, regulatory limitations in China prevented this capability from being rolled out in actual mass production.

Market Performance and Reception

At launch, the Changan UNI-T proved a viral sensation in the 2020 Chinese domestic SUV market thanks to its jaw-dropping borderless styling and segment-busting tech specs. It chalked up 7,414 sales within 10 days of release and notched over 11,600 pre-orders in 20 days, rapidly propelling it to the top ranks of domestic premium SUVs. However, sales tapered off steadily in the later stages of its lifecycle. Industry figures show that between January and April 2025, monthly sales slid from 1,934 units (including exports) at the start of the year to just 149 units in April, marking a notable cooling in market demand. Industry observers attribute this downturn to aggressive rival model updates, the swift transition of the SUV segment towards New Energy Vehicles (NEVs), and internal competition against siblings like the UNI-V in overlapping price brackets. Owner sentiment consistently praises the UNI-T's punchy throttle response, taut chassis dynamics, and striking visual presence. Conversely, common user gripes include the rear centre floor transmission tunnel hump, noticeable tyre and wind noise at motorway speeds, and certain infotainment features that require ongoing OTA refinement. All told, as the pioneering vanguard of Changan’s premium "Gravity" sub-brand, the UNI-T established a compelling "tech-sport" niche in the compact SUV segment with its concept-car-accurate design, the competitive edge of its Blue Whale ICE powertrain in the RM100,000 category, and the democratisation of Level 2 ADAS. Even though sales momentum ultimately waned amid the market-wide NEV tide, its radical breakthroughs in product definition and design ethos played a seminal role in shaping the modern Changan brand and its subsequent UNI model family.