Compact enough for Singapore, yet promising a spacious cabin, 394km of WLTP range and plenty of everyday practicality, the CHANGAN Q05 makes a case for being more than just another electric SUV.

Singapore’s appetite for electric SUVs shows little sign of slowing, but not everyone needs a massive battery, a seven-seat cabin or “too much” power.

That is where the CHANGAN Q05 comes in. Positioned in Singapore’s Cat A electric SUV segment, it combines compact exterior dimensions with a five-seat cabin, useful storage space and a fairly comprehensive list of equipment.

Designed for Singapore streets

Measuring 4,435mm long, 1,855mm wide and 1,600mm tall, the CHANGAN Q05 has dimensions that should make it reasonably manageable around town. Its 2,735mm wheelbase also gives it a useful foundation for cabin space, with room for up to five occupants.

A 5.3-metre minimum turning radius should help when negotiating tighter roads and car parks — an especially welcome feature in Singapore, where parking spaces can occasionally feel as though they were designed around a shopping trolley rather than a car.

The exterior is clean and contemporary, with LED daytime running lights up front and signature LED tail-lights connected by a through-light design at the rear. A rear spoiler with an integrated high-mounted brake light completes the look, while 18-inch alloy wheels give the Q05 a suitably substantial stance.

Buyers can choose from five exterior colours: Moonlight White, Mercury Silver, Deep Space Black, Starlight Grey and Aurora Pink. The latter should appeal to anyone who thinks the world has quite enough monochrome SUVs already.

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A cabin that makes room for living

Inside, the driver gets a six-way electrically adjustable seat, while the front passenger receives four-way electric adjustment. Both front seats are upholstered in ventilated microfibre leather, which should be useful in Singapore’s warm and humid weather. A 256-colour ambient lighting system also lets occupants set the mood, whether that means something calming for the evening commute or a colour scheme that looks as though a nightclub has moved into the dashboard.

A panoramic glass roof with an electric sunshade adds to the sense of space, while a power tailgate with anti-pinch protection and power-folding side mirrors make daily use that little bit easier. Rain-sensing wipers are also fitted.

More importantly, the Q05 has useful storage where it counts. The boot offers 450 litres with the rear seats up, expanding to 1,380 litres when they are folded. There is also a 90-litre underfloor storage compartment for charging cables and other bits that would otherwise be rolling around in the boot.

Screens, connectivity and creature comforts

The dashboard centres around a 14.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, paired with a 10.17-inch digital instrument display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, alongside intelligent voice control, over-the-air software updates and remote functions through a mobile application.

There is also a 50W wireless smartphone charger, automatic air-conditioning, rear air-conditioning outlets and a PM2.5 cabin filter. An eight-speaker audio system rounds out the entertainment equipment.

Enough electric range for everyday life

Powering the front-wheel-drive Q05 is a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 99kW (135PS) and 190Nm of torque. Channelling its output to the front wheels, the motor propels the SUV from 0 to 100km/h in a claimed 9.7 seconds.

Energy comes from a 51.9kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with a claimed WLTP Combined driving range of up to 394km. Under the WLTP City cycle, the figure rises to as much as 566km.

As with any EV, actual range will depend on driving conditions, speed, weather and how enthusiastic you are with the accelerator. The city-cycle figure is best treated as a laboratory benchmark rather than a promise that you can keep driving around Singapore until the battery gets bored.

When it is time to recharge, the Q05 supports DC fast charging at up to 90kW. Changan quotes approximately 25 minutes to charge from 30 to 80 per cent under suitable conditions.

Safety and driver assistance

The Q05 comes with a broad suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Integrated Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Jam Assist and Lane Centering Control are designed to help with the demands of motorway driving and stop-start traffic.

Other systems include Forward Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist. Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Rear Cross Traffic Braking and Safe Exit Warning provide additional assistance when changing lanes, reversing or getting out of the car.

A 3D around-view camera with transparent chassis technology offers a clearer view of the vehicle’s surroundings during low-speed manoeuvres. Rear parking sensors provide another layer of assistance when squeezing into tight spaces.

A practical take on electric motoring

The CHANGAN Q05’s appeal lies in the combination of its compact footprint, practical cabin and everyday technology. A 51.9kWh battery, a claimed WLTP Combined range of up to 394km and DC charging at up to 90kW give it a set of figures suited to the daily routine, while the 450-litre boot and additional underfloor storage make it more versatile than its exterior dimensions might suggest.

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Of course, the spec sheet can only tell us so much. Ride comfort, real-world efficiency, infotainment usability and how well the driver-assistance systems behave in Singapore traffic are things that deserve closer attention behind the wheel.

But for buyers considering a Cat A electric SUV, the Q05 offers a useful mix of space, equipment and claimed range without going overboard on size. And in a city where space is often the real luxury, that could be precisely the point.

Photos: CHANGAN