These days, many first-time car buyers are likely daunted by the price of new vehicles these days. Gone are the days when there was a veritable menu of vehicles under ₱1-million. Now it seems like only the most basic variants — with lots of options left out — populate that price point.

However, Changan’s CS15 SUV is one of the rare new cars out there that still offer quite a lot of car for under ₱1M. This tall, easy-to-drive, feature-packed automatic SUV comes with far more car features than most expect from its price.

The Changan CS15 is the smallest model in the CS line of SUVs. Many may be familiar with and have already seen the CS35 and CS55 on the road. However, the smallest member in this family is not one that should be ignored.

Fully loaded for under ₱800k

The CS15 was introduced to offer first time car buyers a lot of bang for their buck. First of all, it already comes in a tall and desirable SUV form with a generous ground clearance of 190 mm.

Its single variant is fitted with a five-speed dual clutch automatic where many of its competitors only offer a manual, and smart features like a back-up camera, hill-hold control, and digital instrument cluster are fitted as standard. This all comes at a very tempting price of ₱799,000.

Despite its small size, it’s got quite muscular styling, with a large grille, fenders practically busting out of its body, blacked out taillights at the rear, roof rails and a sunroof on top, and 17-inch wheels to roll on.

Inside, it’s already got leather seats, a digital instrument cluster, and an infotainment system that’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices thanks to Mirror Link. Passengers can enjoy some high headroom in front. Passengers in the rear will benefit from that same high headroom and surprising legroom.

There’s multiple convenience features too, like keyless entry, automatic headlights with a follow-me-home function, cruise control, and steering-mounted wheel controls for the infotainment.

It doesn’t scrimp on safety either as it is equipped with LED daytime running lights, four SRS airbags, four-wheel disc brakes, ABS with EBD, brake assist, electronic stability control with hill hold control (HHC), tire pressure monitors, and rear parking sensors with a backup camera.

The CS15 is remarkably easy to drive. It offers drivers a high vantage point and a great view of the vehicle’s front corners, making it very easy to estimate its size and navigate through tight roads. The steering is very light, making it easy to fully turn the wheels when parking. Not that parking is even difficult as its compact size practically ensures it will fit into any parking space.

Its 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine will easily get it up to speed. The five-speed DCT shifts quite smoothly and is barely perceptible. It doesn’t quite have much pep, but being a car designed primarily for city use, it shouldn’t be a major issue. The ride is quite comfortable and the cabin actually remarkably quiet.

Perhaps the only caveat is the oddly designed fuel and temp gauges. They have quite a unique design that deviates from what most vehicles have. It might take new drivers a while to determine how much fuel there is, but they should quickly get used to it after all while.

Finally, the trunk is not some impossibly small space that can't even fit a carry-on. In this car, it's actually quite usable and can easily handle a couple's bags for a weekend trip.

Unlike most of its competitors, the CS15 comes in bold and bright color choices as opposed to the dull black, which and grey many of its competitors offer. You can get this car in Flame Red, Aurora Blue, Blizzard White, Cosmic Silver, and Galaxy Black.

Changan is also making the ownership experience quite easy with a long five-year or 150,000-kilometer warranty and a complimentary checkup within the first 5,000 kilometers.

It’s honestly disheartening to see that many of the Japanese and Korean entry-level cars are now being priced beyond most new car buyers’ reach. Yet this Changan CS15 is one of the few options that still give the buyer quite a lot of car for their money. In fact, it’s spoiling them with class above features like a digital displays, a sunroof, ABS, and even a tire pressure monitor. The CS15 has surprisingly not quite caught on among buyers, but we really think they should give this car a test drive.