Changan Accessories: A Practical Guide
CarMoods TeamChangan's growth in Australia hasn't followed the usual one-model-at-a-time pattern. Buyers now cross-shop a core Changan SUV like the CS75 or UNI-T against the Deepal electric range (the S05, S07, L07, SL03 and newer G318) and the Huawei-backed Avatr EVs, all landing through loosely connected dealer networks. That spread makes the aftermarket trickier than it looks: a wheel cover or key case listed simply as "Changan" sometimes fits only the petrol models, and Deepal and Avatr cabins use different stalk layouts, port positions and rim shapes again. The Changan accessories range is worth sorting through properly rather than grabbing the first generic listing that turns up, because the wrong size or fitment is the main reason accessories end up back in a drawer within a week.
One Badge, Three Different Cars
It helps to treat Changan, Deepal and Avatr as three separate fitment groups rather than one brand. Core Changan models (CS35, CS55, CS75, UNI-T) are conventional combustion or hybrid SUVs with round steering wheel rims, standard 12V accessory sockets and a single fuel or charge flap. Deepal is Changan's electric sub-brand, and the S05, S07, SL03, L07 and G318 share a CCS2 charging port on the front guard or rear quarter, a part-flat-bottom steering wheel on most trims, and a glass roof that changes how hot the cabin gets in direct sun. Avatr sits above both, built on a dedicated EV platform with Huawei's cockpit software, a larger-diameter touchscreen and, on most variants, a frameless door design that changes how door-edge protection needs to be fitted.
None of this is obvious from a product photo alone, which is why checking the listed model codes (S05, S07, SL03, G318, L07 for Deepal; CS35, CS55, CS75 for core Changan) against your own build plate matters more here than it does for a brand with one steering wheel shape across the range.
Steering Wheel Covers: Matching Material to How the Car Gets Used
Most Changan and Deepal steering wheels measure between 37cm and 39cm around the rim's outer diameter, which puts them in the standard mid-size SUV bracket rather than needing an oversized cover. The detail that trips people up is rim shape: a round cover stretched over a D-shaped or flat-bottom rim (common on Deepal's sportier trims) will bunch at the bottom and loosen within weeks, because the lacing has to pull the material around a corner it was never cut for. If your Deepal has a flat-bottom wheel, look specifically for a cover cut for that shape rather than a universal round one.
Material matters almost as much as fit. Suede-finish covers grip well and stay cool to the touch, which counts for something when a dark dashboard and a glass roof can push interior surface temperatures well past 60°C on a parked summer afternoon. Microfibre leather is more weather-stable than genuine leather over a UV-heavy Australian summer, since real leather dries out and cracks at the seams faster without regular conditioning. Carbon-fibre-look PU over a foam core gives the firmest grip of the three but runs slightly warmer in direct sun.
Changan Suede Leather Steering Wheel Cover
If you'd rather compare a few finishes side by side before deciding, these cover the three main material options for Changan and Deepal rims:
Changan Leather Steering Wheel Cover
Changan Sports Microfibre Steering Cover
Carbon-Fibre Look Cover — 3D Logo
Whichever you pick, warm the cover slightly before fitting (a few minutes in the sun or under a hairdryer on low heat is enough) and lace from the centre out in both directions rather than starting at one end. Covers fitted cold tend to sit unevenly and loosen faster.
Protecting the Exterior: Edge Guards, Seals and Wheel Caps
Deepal's frameless-door styling and tight shopping-centre car parks are not a great combination for paint. A door edge guard applied to the leading edge of each door takes the brunt of the dings before they reach the panel, and it's a job worth doing properly rather than quickly: clean the edge with isopropyl alcohol first, let it dry completely, and press the strip on in one continuous motion rather than in sections, which is what causes the lifted corners you sometimes see on a six-month-old car.
B-pillar rubber seals on Deepal models are another spot worth checking. Factory weatherstripping on the B-pillar is a common point for a faint whistle to develop at highway speed once the rubber starts to shrink and harden after a year or two of UV exposure and heat cycling, especially on cars parked outdoors. A replacement seal strip fixes the gap rather than masking it, which is the better long-term option over sound-deadening tape.
Wheel centre caps are a smaller thing but a common gap: several Deepal trims ship with unbadged or easily-marked caps that crack after a kerb strike, and a replacement is usually cheaper and easier to source than people expect.
EV-Specific Extras for Deepal and Avatr Owners
Charging ports are exposed to the weather every time the car is plugged in, and a lot of public chargers in Australia are uncovered. A rain cover over the CCS2 port on Deepal models keeps water out of the pins when the car is parked and not charging, which matters more than it sounds: moisture sitting in the port overnight is a common, avoidable cause of corrosion on the charging pins over a few years, particularly for cars that live outside. It's a small, inexpensive fit that takes seconds.
A seatbelt extender is worth a mention too, mostly because people assume it's either unnecessary or not allowed. Extenders that clip into the factory buckle without modifying it are legal to use in Australia and are genuinely useful for taller drivers or when fitting a forward-facing child seat that needs extra reach. The only rule worth remembering is to buy one sized and rated for your specific buckle type rather than a generic one, and to never use an extender in place of a properly installed child restraint anchor point.
Comfort for Longer Drives
Deepal and Avatr cabins tend to run firmer seat bases than the core Changan range, which is a deliberate handling choice but not always comfortable on a long drive. A headrest and lumbar cushion set fills the gap behind the lower back without raising the seating position enough to interfere with the seatbelt's sash height. Suede covers breathe better through an Australian summer than closed-cell foam alone, which matters most on cars with dark leatherette trim that absorbs heat.
Avatr Suede Headrest & Lumbar Cushion
Deepal Neck Pillow & Lumbar Set
Changan Neck Pillow & Lumbar Set
If back pain on longer drives is a recurring issue rather than an occasional one, it's worth reading our broader guide on lumbar support and driving posture alongside whichever cushion set suits your model.
Keeping the Key Protected
Changan, Deepal and Avatr key fobs vary in shape across the range, so a case that's a loose, generic fit tends to rattle or block the buttons rather than protect anything. Zinc alloy cases give the most drop protection and a more solid feel, at the cost of a little extra pocket weight; soft TPU or silicone shells are lighter and quieter but wear through faster if you're someone who tosses keys straight onto a hard surface.
If you drive a core Changan rather than a Deepal or Avatr, the fob shape is different again, so check the specific listing before buying:
Changan Key Cover — CS35, CS55, CS75
For more on sizing and fit across different fob shapes, our guide to key fob covers by brand covers the same logic in more detail.
A Couple of Finishing Touches
Last on the list, and easy to overlook: Changan's own branded umbrella is a genuinely useful boot item rather than just a badge exercise, given how many Deepal and Avatr owners are charging at uncovered public stations in whatever weather turns up.
Changan Branded Automatic Umbrella
If you're weighing up accessories for a newly delivered EV more broadly, our new EV owner checklist and the GAC accessories guide cover similar ground for other recent Chinese-brand arrivals, and both are worth a look if you're cross-shopping or comparing notes with other new-to-Australia owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Changan, Deepal and Avatr all use the same accessories?
No. They're related companies but the steering wheel shapes, key fob designs, charging port positions and door styling differ across the three, so always check the specific model codes (CS35/CS55/CS75 for core Changan; S05/S07/SL03/L07/G318 for Deepal) listed on a product before buying.
2. What size steering wheel cover does a Changan SUV need?
Most Changan and Deepal models sit between 37cm and 39cm around the rim, which is standard mid-size SUV sizing. The more important fitment detail is rim shape — a flat-bottom or D-shaped Deepal wheel needs a cover cut for that profile, not a universal round one.
3. Will a charging port cover slow down charging or void warranty?
A rain cover that simply clips or snaps over the port when it isn't in use doesn't touch the charging electronics and is removed before you plug in, so it has no effect on charging speed. It's an aftermarket accessory rather than a modification to the vehicle itself.
4. Is it legal to fit a seatbelt extender in Australia?
Yes, provided it clips into the factory buckle without altering it and is sized correctly for your belt type. It isn't a substitute for a proper child restraint anchor point, so use a dedicated child seat fitting for younger passengers rather than an extender.
5. Why do door edge guards sometimes peel off within a few months?
Almost always because the panel wasn't cleaned of wax or residue before the adhesive strip was applied, or the guard was pressed on in sections rather than one smooth motion. Wiping the edge with isopropyl alcohol and fitting in a single pass fixes most of the early peeling issues.
Changan's three-brand spread in Australia means doing a little more homework than you would for a single-badge brand, but the actual fitment issues are consistent once you know what to check: confirm your model code, match the steering wheel rim shape rather than assuming round, and treat Deepal and Avatr charging and seatbelt hardware as EV-specific rather than borrowing advice meant for the petrol range. Browse the full Changan accessories collection to see what's currently available for your specific model, or check the full catalogue if you're also accessorising a second car in the household.
