Does the Changan Eado Plus Engine Have What It Takes for Saudi Roads and Saudi Wallets?

Saudi Arabia: The answer is absolutely yes; the powertrain has more promise than you might expect from just looking at the car or the spec sheet. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is refined and capable, scoring well if compared with most direct rivals. Paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and three driving modes, on Riyadh's ring roads or the highway between Jeddah and Taif, that is more than enough power to feel confident.

The Engine in Detail

Spec	Changan Eado Plus
Engine	1.5L Turbocharged GDI, 4-cylinder
Fuel Type	Petrol (91 octane)
Power	178 hp
Torque	300 Nm
Transmission	7-speed Dual-Clutch (DCT)
Drive	Front-wheel drive
0 to 100 km/h	~7.9 to 8 seconds
Fuel efficiency (highway)	18.4 km/L
Fuel tank	51 litres
Driving modes	Eco, Normal, Sport

What Real-World Driving Looks Like in Saudi Arabia

The official mileage figure is 18.4 km/L for highway driving, and in the mixed driving of Riyadh or Jeddah, 14 to 16 km/L is a realistic expectation. On a full 51-liter tank, that gives you roughly 700 to 800 km of range in mixed use. With petrol prices in Saudi Arabia among the most affordable globally, a full tank costs well under SAR 50. Monthly fuel costs for most commuters will stay low.

Three Driving Modes, Real Differences

The Eco mode softens throttle response and holds higher gears for fuel saving, useful in slow city traffic. Normal is the comfortable default; Sport sharpens throttle inputs, holds gears longer, and makes the car feel noticeably quicker, which is enjoyable on open highway sections.

How It Stacks Up Against the Rivals

Model	Engine	Power	Torque	Fuel Type	Est. Fuel Efficiency
Changan Eado Plus	1.5T Petrol	178 hp	300 Nm	Petrol	18.4 km/L (highway)
Toyota Corolla (base)	1.5L Petrol	121 hp	144 Nm	Petrol	~16 km/L
Toyota Corolla (hybrid)	1.8L HEV	~122 hp combined	N/A	Petrol Hybrid	~22 km/L
Hyundai Elantra	1.6L Petrol	123 hp	151 Nm	Petrol	~16 km/L
KIA K4	2.0L, 1.6T Petrol	147 to 190 hp	179 to 265 Nm	Petrol	~15 km/L

The Eado Plus has the highest torque among the petrol‑only options in this group and one of the best published fuel‑efficiency figures among non‑hybrid rivals. The Corolla hybrid beats it on fuel economy but costs more and reduces outright power. For a pure petrol sedan at this price, the Eado Plus numbers are genuinely strong.

However, it is worth mentioning that the dual-clutch gearbox hesitates slightly in very slow, creeping traffic. This is typical of DCT technology in general and is not unique to the Eado Plus. In fast city driving and on highways, it is not noticeable. Buyers used to a traditional torque-converter automatic may feel the difference in very low-speed movement initially.

Overall, the Eado Plus powertrain is the class leader in its price range for outright performance and petrol-only fuel efficiency. It has more torque than the Corolla, Elantra, and base K4; fuel efficiency that beats the City; and a petrol setup that keeps running costs low across Saudi Arabia's long roads and intense summers. For a daily driver that regularly covers real distance, this is a well-matched engine.

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