Review: Hunting for the next big adventure - Changan Hunter Diesel
Built for the Wild. Ready for Anything
Changan is not a new brand to the South African market. The brand which went under the name Chana back in the early 2000s was very popular with the sale of commercial vehicles in the country, particularly the Chana or Changan Star series of bakkies / mini-trucks and vans. Chana was liquidated in 2012.
Jameel Motors South Africa reintroduced the brand to local consumers in October 2025, and they already have quite a line-up with budget friendly sedans, SUVs, EVs, and bakkies like the Changan Hunter which is available in Diesel and the REEV (Range Extended Electric Vehicle) versions.
Our first vehicle in the range to test is the Changan Hunter Diesel which uses the same platform as the previous generation Peugeot Landtrek, so there are many distinct similarities.
Let's take a look what the Changan Hunter Diesel is all about:
Changan Hunter Diesel First Look
Video Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes
The Changan Hunter Diesel is available in 2 Models:
- 2.0L MT 2WD (Manual Transmission 2-Wheel Drive)
- 2.0L AT 4WD (Automatic Transmission 4-Wheel Drive)
We tested the Changan Hunter Diesel 2.0L AT 4WD.
Exterior
The Changan Hunter is available in 5 exterior colours:
- Stellar White
- Lunar Silver
- Metallic Grey
- Electric Blue
- Red
The model we tested was the Changan Hunter Diesel 2.0L AT 4WD in Electric Blue.
The MT 2WD version is fitted with:
- 17" Aluminium Wheels
and a Full-Size Steel Spare Wheel
While the AT 4WD is fitted with:
- 18" Aluminium Wheels
and a Full-Size Aluminium Spare Wheel
Both models have the following standard exterior features:
- Front Mudguard
- Rear Mudguard
- Bashplate
- Carbon Fibre Rear Step
- Common External Antenna
- Halogen Main Headlamps
- Adjustable Headlamp Angle (Electric)
- LED Daytime Running Lights
- Front Foglight
- Electric Front and Rear Side-Window
- One-Touch Feature and Anti-Pinch Function Driver Side Window
- Boneless Front Windscreen Wiper
- Front Windscreen Washer
- Body Colour Coded Electric Exterior Rear-View Mirror
- Inner Cargo Hooks
- Decorative Engine Cover
The door handles and cargo bed door handle are body colour coded in the MT 2WD and the AT 4WD is chrome-plated
The MT 2WD has the following in Aluminium Alloy while the AT 4WD is in Stainless Steel:
- Side Step
- Protective Cargo Screen
and
- Outer Cargo Hooks
While the AT 4WD is also fitted with:
- Roof Rails
- Automatic Headlights
- Cargo-Bed Light (3rd-High Mounted Stop Light)
- Automatic Front Windscreen Wiper
- Rear Windscreen Demister
- 12V Cargo Bed Socket
Safety
Both models in the Changan Hunter Diesel range have the following standard safety features:
- Front Row Safety Belt Height Adjustment
- Central Locking
- Vehicle Speed Sensing Door Lock
- Child Safety Lock
- Child Safety Seat Interface (ISOFIX)
- Directional Lock
- 2 x Reversing Radar
- Reversing Camera System
- ABS
- EBD
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Electronic Stability Program
- Hill-Start Assist Control
- Hill Descent Control
- Braking Assistance System
- Traction Control System
- Driver Seat Airbag
- Front Passenger Seat Airbag
- Front Lateral Airbags
- Common 3-Point Seat Belt (Rear Row)
- Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat Seatbelt Reminder (Seat Belt Warning)
The MT 2WD has the following safety features which differs slightly to the AT 4WD:
- Electronic Anti-Theft
- Fold Remote Key
- Limiter 3-Point Seat Belt (Front Row)
While the AT 4WD are fitted with upgraded safety features and a few extras:
- Engine Immobiliser
- Smart Key
- Keyless Entry & Go (PEPS)
- Switch Off ESP
- Side Gas Proof Curtain Airbags
- Pre Tensioner & Force Limiter 3-Point Seat Belt (Front Row)
Interior
The standard interior features in the Changan Hunter Diesel MT 2WD and AT 4WD are:
- Driver Seat Sun Visor with Bill Fold
- Passenger Seat Sun Visor with Vanity Mirror
- Glove Box with Refrigeration
- 2 x Central Arm Rest Area Cup Holder
- Anti-Dazzle Interior Rear View Mirror
- Telescopic Cup Holder
- Air Conditioner
- Single-Zone Manual HVAC
- Rear Air-Outlet
- Rear Feet Blower
- Front & Rear Reading Light
- Welcome Lights (Front Door Trim)
- Toolbox Light
- Driver Seat Headrest
- Height Adjustable Driver Seat Headrest
- Driver Seat Backrest Storage Bag
- Driver Seat Backrest Hook
- Front Passenger Headrest
- Height Adjustable Front Passenger Headrest
- Front Passenger Backrest Storage Bag
- Front Passenger Backstreet Hook
- Rear Passenger Seat Forward Folding Backrest (60/40)
- Rear Passenger Seat Flip Up Cushions (60/40)
- 3 x Rear Passenger Headrests
- Height Adjustable Rear Passenger Headrest
- Centre Rear Row Armrest
The MT 2WD has a few differences to the interior:
- 6 x Manual Adjustment Driver Seat
- Premium Fabric Seat Texture
- 4 x Manual Adjustment Front Passenger Seat
While the AT 4WD has:
- 6 x Electric Adjustment Driver Seat
- Driver Seat Lumbar Support
- Leather Seat Texture
- 4 x Electric Adjustment Front Passenger Seat
Infotainment & Other
The Changan Hunter Diesel range is fitted with:
- 10" Colour Infotainment Touch Screen
- Phone Mirror Link, Radio, MP5, MP3
- Bluetooth
- 3 x USB Ports
- 12V Electric Outlet
- 4.2" Driver Information Widescreen
- Cigar Lighter Socket
- Triangle Warning Board
- Roadside Tools
The MT 2WD has 4 Speakers, while the AT 4WD has 6 speakers installed.
Powertrain & Performance
The Changan Hunter makes use of a:
- 2.0L Turbo-Charged 4 Cylinder Diesel Engine
Which produces:
- 110kW Power and 350Nm Torque
The MT 2WD is a:
- Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) 4x2
- 6-Speed Manual Transmission (MT)
and the AT 4WD is a:
- 4 Wheel Drive (4WD) 4x4
- 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (AT)
The Engine Emission Standard is:
- Euro 4
C02 Emissions on the Changan Hunter are:
- 239g/ km
Fuel economy claims for the Hunter Diesel is:
- 7.8L / 100km (MT 2WD)
- 9.0L / 100km (AT 4WD)
The Fuel Tank is estimated at:
- 80 Litres
Changan Hunter Diesel AT 4WD
Photo Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes
Dimensions
The Changan Hunter has the following dimensions:
- Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) - 3080kg
- Gross Combination Mass (GCM) - 5080kg
- Useful Payload - 1100kg (MT 2WD) 1000kg (AT 4WD)
- Overall Length - 5330mm
- Overall Width - 1930mm
- Overall Height (Unladen) - 1875mm
- Wheelbase - 3180mm
- Load Bed - 1520 (L) x 1520 (W) x 500(H)
- Ground Clearance - 226mm
Changan Hunter Diesel Load Bed
Photo Credits Ziyaad Plaatjes
Pricing
The Changan Hunter Diesel pricing is as follows:
- Changan Hunter Diesel 2.0L 2WD - R449 900
- Changan Hunter Diesel 2.0L 4WD - R569 900
Warranty
Both Changan Hunter Diesel models come standard with a:
- 5 year/ 150 000 km warranty plan
Service and Roadside Assistance Plan
The Changan Hunter Diesel models also include a:
- 5 year/ 90 000 km service plan
Competitors
Ford Ranger from R590 000
Foton Tunland G7 Double Cab from R399 900
GWM P-Series P300 from R529 900
Isuzu D-Max X-Rider from R659 100
LDV T60 Pro from R610 000
Peugeot Landtrek Active Double Cab 4x4 from R545 900
Toyota Hilux from R534 100
Verdict
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ / 10
Ziyaad Plaatjes is the Co-Founder of iloveza.com & Let's Torque ZA, the Founder of the After Fajr Grind Academy, a Radio Co-Host for a youth focussed programme, Level Up, on Radio Islam International, previously a Radio Host for the longest running award-winning Motoring show in South Africa - Bumper2Bumper on Cii Radio, and a Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador, who was named one of Mail & Guardian's Top 200 Young South Africans in the Arts, Entertainment, Film & Media Category.
He is a Bachelor of Commerce Honours graduate and has been running businesses since the age of 13. Ziyaad is a social media fundi and content creator, but has taken on many roles in various industries over the years. With his entrepreneurial skills and vast knowledge he assists individuals and businesses to grow and achieve their goals.
Find him at: Instagram: @ziyaad_86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii X: @ziyaad86 / @ilovezacom / @letstorqueza / @b2bcii Facebook: iloveza.com / Let's Torque ZA LinkedIn: Ziyaad Plaatjes / iloveza.com YouTube: iloveza.com SoundCloud: iloveza.com / Radio Islam International TikTok: @ilovezacom / @b2bcii Threads: @ilovezacom iono.fm: Bumper2Bumper Hashtags: #AfterFajrGrind #iloveza❤️🇿🇦 #LetsTorqueZA #LevelUp #B2BCii #WheresDaddyZA E-mail: ziyaad@iloveza.com
