Small crossover skirmish: Changan CS15 vs. Geely GX3 Pro

In the Philippine market, crossovers have practically taken over. As such, each company has been filling up its lineup with offerings hitting all sub-segments of the crossover market, from small five-seaters to family-friendly three-row models. 

In the case of Changan Auto Philippines, it brought in the small CS15 subcompact model. The aforementioned, of course, came after the introduction of Geely Philippines’ GX3 Pro, which was introduced a year earlier. 

With attractively accessible starting prices, the aforementioned crossovers will prove to be attractive in the eyes of budget-conscious buyers. But, the question now is: which is the better model on paper? Let’s find out by comparing the Changan CS15 and the GX3 Pro’s on-paper specifications. 

Tale of the tape

Before going over the two model’s exterior and interior features, powertrains, and safety bits, let's see if they have differences in terms of size. 

 

Here are the dimensions of the CS15 and GX3 Pro compared side-by-side: 

Model	Changan CS15	Geely GX3 Pro
Dimensions (L x W x H, in mm)	4,135x1,740x1,630	4,005x1,760x1,575
Wheelbase (mm)	2,520	2,480
Ground clearance (mm)	190	185

 

Based on the figures above, the Changan crossover is longer and taller, but the Geely model is broader. The CS15 also has a longer wheelbase and more in the way of ground clearance. 

The difference in ground clearance can be considered inconsequential, but having a lengthier wheelbase might equate to more legroom for a vehicle’s interior. 

Exterior

Appearance-wise, both the CS15 and the GX3 Pro come with the typical, high-riding and high-roofed crossover stance. Both also have black-colored window pillars, though the Changan has a notably larger grille and more character lines compared to the Geely-made ride. 

Where exterior features are concerned, there are a lot of bits common between the two. Specifically, both were kitted out with automatic projector halogen headlamps, roof rails, power-adjust side mirrors, and daytime running lamps.

The Changan, however, does get a headlamp height adjust function and rear fog lamps. Both features are not present on the GX3 Pro. Additionally, the Changan CS15 rides on a set of 17-inch wheels, while the GX3 Pro uses a set of smaller 16-inch wheels. 

Interior

Inside, the two subcompact models were equipped with a reasonable amount of creature comforts. Both have manual air-conditioning systems, manually adjustable driver seats, a multi-function steering wheel, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, and a good amount of USB charging ports. 

The two crossovers also provide a decent amount of driver-oriented features, such as a manual parking brake, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a front cabin center armrest. 

Interestingly, the two small crossovers each come with a sunroof - a rarity for models within their price range. Both also get leather-type upholstery for their seats, though the ones on the GX3 Pro have contrast red stitching. 

On the flip side, the CS15 comes with a digital gauge cluster, while the Geely GX3 Pro uses analog gauges combined with a 3.5-inch trip meter. 

Tech, safety

When it comes to on-board entertainment, the Changan CS15 uses a seven-inch touchscreen display linked to a four-piece speaker system. For smartphone connectivity, it has Bluetooth and MirrorLink support for Android and iOS devices. 

On the one hand, the Geely GX3 Pro was kitted out with a slightly larger eight-inch infotainment touchscreen display. It likewise has more speakers, numbering six (Comfort trim), though it also utilizes a third-party smartphone connectivity software.

Concerning safety, both five-seaters were equipped with what you’d expect from a modern crossover. Here is a list of the CS15 and GX3 Pro’s safety features compared side-by-side:

Model	Changan CS15	Geely GX3 Pro
Safety	Anti-lock braking Electronic stability control Hill-hold control Dual front airbags Side airbags Tire pressure monitoring Rear parking sensors Rear parking camera	Anti-lock braking Electronic stability control Traction control Hill-start assist Hill-descent control Dual front airbags Rear parking sensors Rear parking camera Low tire pressure warning
Security	Central locking Engine immobilizer

 

Based on the list above, the CS15 appears to have more airbags than the GX3 Pro. The Geely model, however, comes with traction control and hill-descent control, which are not present in the Changan. 

The low tire pressure warning on the Geely, however, seems more basic than the tire pressure monitor on the Changan. Per its name, it cannot actively monitor the pressure inside the car’s tires and will only provide a warning if it is low on air. 

Engine, chassis

To get a clear picture of how the Changan CS15 differs from the Geely GX3 Pro in terms of performance, here’s an overview of their respective powertrains and engine outputs: 

Model	Changan CS15	Geely GX3 Pro
Engine	1.5-liter inline-4
Fuel type	Gasoline
Transmission	Five-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT)	Continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Horsepower	105	102
Torque	145 Newton-meters	142 Newton-meters
Brakes	Front and rear discs
Suspension type	MacPherson strut (front), Multi-link (rear)	MacPherson strut (front), torsion beam (rear)

 

From the table above, it is clear to see that the Changan crossover is slightly more potent than the GX3 Pro despite having a similar displacement and engine. 

The driving characteristics may also differ between the two since the CS15 uses a geared DCT, while the GX3 Pro comes with a CVT. On paper, the two will likewise handle a bit differently since the Changan comes with a multi-link rear suspension system, which is more complex compared to the torsion beam rear suspension of the GX3 Pro. 

Price

In terms of pricing, the sole variant of the CS15 is offered locally for P799,000. The Geely GX3 Pro, meanwhile, has two variants: the entry-level S, priced at P778,000, and the top-spec Comfort, which retails at P878,000. 

Final thoughts

To sum it all up, the Changan CS15 comes with a slight advantage when it comes to engine performance. On the other hand, the Geely GX3 Pro trumps the Changan model when it comes to starting price. 

Save for some specific features, however, the two are quite alike. Both have a decent amount of creature comforts, after all. 

Like we always say, though, serious buyers who are on the fence between the two crossovers should give each a test drive. Sure, reading up on specs is a good start, but having real seat time will make for a more informed car purchase in the end. 

Also read: 

Check out the Changan CS15's saucy cabin

5 charming hues of the Changan CS15