The salary you need to buy South Africa’s newest Chinese SUV

Car-shopping South Africans with their eyes on the country’s newest Chinese SUV – the Changan Uni-S – will need to earn at least R42,000 per month to afford it on a finance plan, according to a calculation by TopAuto.

Changan announced that the Uni-S would be joining its other midsize SUV offering, the CS75 Pro, in one of South Africa’s most hotly contested segments.

Announced with a starting price of R389,900 – making it the cheapest SUV offering in the Changan roster – the Uni-S comes in three derivatives, namely the CS, CL, and CE.

These three variants were all built on a shared 4,500mm long platform, and share the familiar “Blue Whale” powertrain found in the CS75 Pro

This turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine produces 138kW and 300Nm, which it sends to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Combined, this configuration achieves a fuel efficiency similar to the CS75 Pro at 7.6l/100km.

Inside the base-spec CS, buyers will find a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration.

Drivers can expect a suite of conveniences that include an electronic park brake, park simulation video display, rear parking sensors and a 540-degree panoramic camera system.

The mid-spec CL sees its interior upgraded to feature microfibre leather upholstery, electric driver seat adjustment, rain-sensing wipers, smart high-beam control, and heated, folding mirrors.

The flagship CE adds a suite of advanced driver-assist systems (ADAS) and further comforts, including electric passenger seat adjustment, driver seat memory with welcome function, an electric panoramic sunroof with rain-sensing auto-close, an electric tailgate, and an upgraded 8-speaker sound system.

Additionally, the CE has been fitted with auto tilt-down reverse mirrors with memory positioning and illuminated vanity mirrors.

What you need to earn

South African buyers looking to get their hands on the all-new Changan Uni-S can use the following formula to determine their potential monthly repayments.

• Car price – R389,900/R469,900
• Payment term – 60 terms (5 years)
• Interest – 10.25%
• Deposit – 0%
• Balloon – No balloon payment

Considering this calculation, buyers will need to pay at least R8,427 per month for South Africa’s newest Chinese SUV, and more than R10,000 per month for the flagship model.

With financial experts recommending that buyers do not spend more than 20% of their gross monthly salary on vehicle payments, you will need to earn at least R42,200 per month to afford the CS on a finance plan.

Buyers opting for the top-of-the-range CE will need to earn at least R50,750 per month instead.

That being said, the calculation does not account for the additional vehicle ownership expenses, including insurance and maintenance costs, as well as fuel and other running costs, which all need to be considered.