Prior to 4.1.3 update, the change was sent to the sending address even if the "Use change address" option had been checked.
Are you 100% sure about that? I had version 4.0.9 prior to updating to 4.1.5, and I believe (I can't be absolutely sure though) that change addresses were used in the past for my wallets.
When it comes to HD wallets, you are right. In HD wallets, the change has been sent to a new address in all versions of electrum I have used so far.
In the above post, I was referring to the wallets created with importing private keys or addresses.
Read
the 4.1.3 release note.
imported wallets: when enabling the "Use change addresses" option, change will now be sent to a random unused imported address. (#7330)
As before, by default, change is sent back to the "from address".