There is a reason why Morgan Freeman was the chosen voice of God and not Danny De Vito – a certain matchmaking works to connect what you expect to hear what you hear. When it comes to cars, design is a promise and performance is its fulfillment. Meet the new Changan Uni-V in its version 2.0 – quite literally – powered by a new 2.0L turbo engine.

The design and its promise

Changan Uni-V ticks a few boxes for enthusiasts with its sporty design. The sport-back styling reminds you of the Audi A5, especially pronounced in the ‘Shadow Grey’ sedan that I was testing. (The Audi RS5 I tested had a similarly fabulous colour they call ‘Nardo Grey’.) Add to it, the distinctive dual dose of double-barreled exhausts and the new active spoiler that can be triggered to rise and drop by the race button on the console control panel, besides the matrix-styled grille and the abundant aerodynamic design elements like the front valances or the side-splitters – and we have a car that promises an exhilarating drive even before it takes off.

The new 2.0L engine and drivetrain

First things first. The most remarkable change (the only major one) in the new Uni-V is the completely new drivetrain powered by a 2.0L turbo engine and its new 8-speed automatic mate. The engine delivers 229 hp and 390 Nm of torque making it a gamechanger in sporty performance. The Uni-V is a front wheel drive car, equipped with three driving modes – Smart, Sport and Race. Flaunting an active rear spoiler, this sport-back sedan is one of the quickest in its category. The powerful engine can also be a considerate one on straight long drives, and I clocked up to 14.9 kmpl – impressively close to the promised economy, even though a traffic jam can severely burn those figures.

NEW DRIVETRAIN: 2.0L Turbo | 8-speed Automatic Transmission | FWD | 229 hp and 390 Nm

A better drive with more power

If you need to know the true dynamics of this change, you ought to have driven the 1.5L-Turbo-driven Uni-V.  With an output of 185 hp and 300 Nm torque, it is quite an adequate engine if you ignore the tall promise raised by its impressive sport-back design. It takes off on a compensating drive only after a contemplative silence. You might not mind the turbo lag, but the good news is that you don’t have to put up with it anymore. In fact, the 2.0L turbocharged engine’s performance style is quite the opposite, with immediately available power throwing a bit of torque spin and surge to deal with. You’ll happily get used to it, soon enough.

The Uni-V feels fast and puts you in control. More than half the feeling of oneness with the car comes from its steering – what I call a ‘double flat’. The top and bottom have a flat design, bringing to mind the ‘yoke’ of an aircraft and evoking a cockpit experience.

Now, to the other aspects of the sedan…

The exterior dimensions and size

L x W x H: 4705 x 1838 x 1430 mm

Wheel base: 2750 mm

18” alloy wheels | Sportback styling | Keyless lock and unlock

Changan Uni-V is advantageously perched somewhere between a conventional compact sedan and a midsize sedan. It is 4 cm shorter than the Audi A5 and keeps a low profile like the BMW M3. The Honda Civic is 4606 mm and MG6 4695 mm to complete the size context. The 18” wheels are a cool black and the aerodynamic hidden door handles, which reveal themselves as we walk up closer, complement the sport-back design.

Interior comforts

The sporty grey look continues inside but nothing shouts out desperately to grab attention. Even the text on the buttons is underplayed until lit up. At a time when consoles seem to flaunt tablet-sized touchscreens, a notable styling choice is the 10.25” inch dual screens that look more like chocolate bars.

Panoramic glass roof | Heat insulated glass windows | Ventilated leather seats | Cool box | Single-zone air-conditioning with rear AC vent | Remote engine start

Changan Uni-V puts its sport-back length to good use, except for unusually tall rear passengers. The mid-seat is best reserved for a child which is the usual sporty compromise. The generosity of space also marks the boot – two large suitcases and a medium-sized one can fit in there. Surprisingly, unlike some of its rivals that boast dual zone air-conditioning, the Uni-V has opted for a uniform AC setting while providing the rear cabin with its own vent.

Cabin tech

Like most cabins where an AI assistant is available, the voice command can set the radio station and cabin temperature but not the destination. As for the navigation system, it offers useful guidance.

Voice command woken up by “Hi Changan” | Wireless charging | Navigation | Sony 10-speakers | Mirrorlink – Apple CarPlay

Changan Uni-V comes with a decent 10-speaker Sony system but the radio reception seemed to be tapering off along the way after starting fine. While this could have been a one-off thing or a minor flaw in an otherwise impressive cabin, less-than-perfect radio reception has been found to ail many of the new entrant models, regardless of the brand or origin. So, do fiddle around with the radio during your test drive of any make, any model.

Safety

Changan Uni-V has an all-round safety envelope with front airbags, side and curtain airbags. It has a 360-degree camera with top-view as well as all-round parking sensors. The camera thoughtfully displays the distance to an obstacle (a wall in front, for example) while moving the car back and forth. The digital road-mapping on the driver information panel (similar to that in a Tesla) is more of a graphic gimmick but it usefully highlights when you slip over lanes.

Advanced safety: Adaptive Cruise Control | Front collision warning | Autonomous Emergency braking | Lane departure warning | Lane keep assist with blind spot monitor | Auto high beam assist

The essential Changan Uni-V 2025

Changan Uni-V unifies sporty aspirations with sedan love. It answers to the safety and comfort requirements of a premium cabin, even though the multimedia tech is still evolving and the AC isn’t dual zone. Uni-V is a premium-aspirant priced to be truly desirable at AED 115,000 plus VAT, along with a warranty that puts most concerns to rest.

Buyer’s deal-clincher:

6 years or 250,000 km warranty | 3 years full-service package

Price: AED 115,000 + VAT (about AED 121,000)