Kaicene CX70 aims to woo new customers with PHP 879k retail

Berjaya Auto Asia’s (BAAI) Kacene brand is trying to woo back customers with a new 7-seat SUV offering called the CX70. It’s not exactly a newcomer to the automotive world, the model has been marketed as the Chana CX70 or Oushang CX70 in China since 2016.

The Kaicene CX70 is being positioned as a multi-purpose family-business vehicle for small to medium business entrepreneurs. The distributor is touting the model to be the best value-for-money proposition in the 7-seater SUV market to date. It is expected to go against the Mitsubishi Xpander Cross, Suzuki XL7, and Toyota Rush.

“BAAI and Kaicene Philippines are proud to introduce a brand new model that not only enhances our core essence of being a value-laden commercial vehicle provider but also opens up our brand to families who espouse togetherness in the journey of life. The All-New Kaicene CX70 not only empowers families to move together, but it also does so by being more affordable and more feature-rich than the competition. The All-New Kaicene CX70 is a 7-seater SUV that is truly worth the Filipino families’ hard-earned peso,” says Japheth Castillo, president of BAAI.

Design-wise, the CX70 draws inspiration from foreign marques; much like its Chinese compatriots. This example is heavily inspired by small SUVs from Land Rover. The result is a sporty and rugged look.

Competing as a 7-seat B-SUV, the CX70 measures in at 4,705mm, a width of 1,800mm, and a height of 1,775mm; making it the longest, widest, and tallest in its class. It sits on a 2,780mm wheelbase and has a cargo capacity of 3,810 liters.

Powering the Kaicene CX70 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine rated at 150 PS and 230 Nm of torque. This is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission which delivers power to the rear wheels. It is equipped with an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system to minimize parasitic load on the engine and gives drivers a lighter steering feel.

Inside, you are welcomed with a modern-styled cockpit that features a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an 8-inch infotainment screen. It also features a combination of soft-to-touch surfaces, bronze-colored accents, and chrome trimming to give a bit of “uplifting mood” for occupants. All seating material is wrapped with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with red contrast stitching, to give a “leather feel” while being easy to maintain compared to fabric seats. As with most Chinese models in the market, the CX70 is equipped with a large sunroof.

Interior versatility and flexibility in the form of 40:60 split second-row and 50:50 split third-row seating both contribute to the convenience of ingress and egress of the CX70. The automaker also promises generous knee-room for third-row passengers. Additional convenience features include power-folding side mirrors, power windows on all four doors, and 12-volt power outlets for front and third-row occupants.

For safety, the Kaicene CX70 is equipped with dual front airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) along with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Hill Hold Control makes it easier for the driver to negotiate inclines and dips by holding the brake system for an extra few seconds until the driver can regain control of the accelerator or brake pedal.

As an added convenience, ISOFIX anchor points for children’s seats can be found in the second row. Smart Keyless Entry, along with four Rear Parking Sensors and a Reverse Camera, all help in the ease of operation.

Kaicene Philippines is introducing the All-New Kaicene CX70 with a retail price of Php 879,000 with a 3-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty.

Berjaya Auto Asia’s Chinese brand hasn’t had the easiest time in the market, to say the least. After having to do a rebrand from “Changan” to “Kaicene” in just a year after they formally announced the commercial vehicle brand; in the middle of a global pandemic. This is due to the official entry of Changan passenger vehicles to the market with a different distributor.

Kaicene currently has dealerships in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, BGC, Taguig, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos City, and Butuan opening this December.