SPEC SHOWDOWN: GAC EMKOO vs. Changan Uni-T

Crossovers are a growing segment in the Philippines market. Because of this, brands such as GAC and Changan have entered the market looking to get a piece of the very lucrative segment.

Today we will look at the compact crossover segment where the Changan Uni-T and the GAC Emkoo reside. It's a market segment for those who want a crossover but are willing to shell out more cash for more power, features, and technology.

We will compare the Emkoo and the Uni-T based on their available specifications to see which compact crossover will come out on top.

Futuristic designs

If there is one thing that Chinese crossovers are good at, it's their futuristic and sporty design language. 

The Changan Uni-T comes with sharp LED daytime running lights paired with a large grille and a massive accent that houses the actual LED headlights of the vehicle. It's cleverly hidden within the plastic accent, giving you a stealthier look.

At the back, it's a similar story as the Uni-T has sharp LED taillights, a few creases, curves, and a sporty spoiler. 

In the case of the GAC Emkoo, it carries a boxier design language with its angular front fascia. Its sporty design can be seen with its sharp LED headlights, vertical LED daytime running lights, and dynamic grille that helps bring air into the engine bay. 

At the rear, the Emkoo has massive vertically positioned LED taillights that look similar to a Volvo XC90 (Specs | News) but more angular. It also comes with a flat tailgate and an angular rear diffuser that doubles down on the vehicle’s sporty look.

For this category, it all boils down to your personal style preferences. You can’t go wrong with either crossover, as they both exude a sporty yet futuristic design language. 

Interior and tech

These two crossovers come with two different approaches to their interior designs. The GAC Emkoo has a more futuristic interior, a minimalist dashboard design dominated by a 10.1-inch infotainment system, and a 7-inch digital display. The Emko has access to Apple CarPlay but lacks Android Auto capabilities. 

Something to note is that the GAC crossover utilizes switches in its cabin. These switches lock and unlock the doors, adjust the temperature, adjust the fan speed, and more. It's a unique ergonomic approach that helps the Emkoo stand out. 

The Changan Uni-T takes its interior design differently but is still dominated by large displays. It carries a sloping dashboard design with two 10.25-inch “floating” displays. The first is the digital instrument cluster, while the second is the infotainment system. 

We double-checked the spec sheet of the Uni-T to find out if it has access to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, and we have confirmed that it comes with the latter.

Regarding their interiors and technology, award goes to the Uni-T as it comes with bigger screens. However, we must consider the unique approach to ergonomics that the GAC Emkoo has, which helps it stand out in its market segment. 

1.5-liter Turbo Power

Under the hood, both vehicles are powered by turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engines. If you have noticed a trend with the recent influx of Chinese cars, having a 1.5-liter motor gives brands access to lower tax rates allowing them to price their cars more competitively. 

The GAC Emkoo produces 177 horsepower and 270 Nm of torque, mated to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission that sends power to the front wheels. 

The Changan Uni-T, on the other hand, produces 180 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque, which is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

As you can see, the Changan Uni-T produces more power and torque than its GAC rival, giving it the win in power output. 

Excellent safety standards

Regarding safety features, both vehicles are well-equipped. They come with the industry standard of at least six airbags, ABS with EBD, an electronic stability program, hill assist , and a 360-degree camera.

They also get access to advanced driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. 

One thing to note is that the Emkoo does not have a blind-spot monitoring system as found in the Uni-T.

As the two crossovers have similar specifications, one small detail can easily swing the win in any direction. That said, the win for this category goes to Uni-T as it has a blind spot monitoring system. The system can help you safely merge into a different lane which can help prevent accidents from happening.

Price and verdict

Regarding pricing, the Changan Uni-T is priced at ₱1,679,000 for its single available variant. As only one variant is available for the Uni-T, it limits the buyer's choices for the vehicle. 

The GAC Emkoo's price, on the other hand, just got slashed. It now starts at ₱1,298,000 for the GE and goes all the way up to ₱1,498,000 for its top-spec GL variant. The pricing of the Emkoo gives customers more options to look at if they are working on a tighter budget. 

It also helps that the standard features for the Emkoo are already great, as it covers all the necessary categories that a new car buyer would be looking for in their next crossover. 

With all things considered, the GAC Emkoo is the more affordable vehicle of the two, with a ₱381,000 price difference between it and the Changan Uni-T. That's a lot of money that can be spent elsewhere for your daily needs. 

As there are minor differences between the two crossovers, we have to hand the win to the GAC Emkoo, as it offers you more for less. 

What do you think of this comparison? Let us know in the comment section.

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