The Benben E-Star is an all-electric micro car launched under the Changan Oushan sub-brand of Changan Automobile Group, targeted at the urban daily commuting segment. The model initially debuted in late 2019 under the "Changan New Energy" marque; subsequently, following internal sales network and brand resource restructuring within Changan Auto, the Benben E-Star was reassigned to the Changan Oushan dealership network. Among the variants on sale, a notable example is the 2023 Duocai Edition LFP Version introduced in mid-2023. This variant received an official price cut in August 2023, reducing its retail price from RM79,900 to RM67,900 and significantly enhancing its value proposition in the micro EV segment. The Benben E-Star sets itself apart with its practical "five-door, five-seater" layout, standing out against key rivals in this segment that mostly offer two-door, four-seater configurations.
In terms of exterior styling, the Benben E-Star adopts a clean and dynamic design language, highlighted by a closed front grille that underscores its pure EV credentials, paired with "tiger shark pupil" LED headlights for a stylish and youthful appeal. Dimension-wise, the vehicle measures 3,770 mm long, 1,650 mm wide, and 1,570 mm tall. Its side profile features sleek lines, complemented by 15-inch two-tone alloy wheels and dual character lines that add a touch of sportiness. The rear profile is neat and well-proportioned, echoing the front fascia. For exterior colours, multiple dual-tone paint schemes are available, including Field Green, Snow White, and Sunset Glow Pink. Inside, the cabin is headlined by a dual 10.25-inch floating integrated dual-screen setup—a rarity for a micro car at this price point that noticeably elevates the tech ambience. The interior also offers three dual-tone colour combinations: Grey-Pink, Green-Black, and Blue-White, catering to the individual tastes of younger buyers.
The Benben E-Star is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing a maximum output of 55 kW (around 75 PS) and a peak torque of 170 Nm. The drivetrain is paired with a single-speed reduction gearbox typical of electric vehicles. Configured with a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout, the car achieves a top speed of 101 km/h and delivers brisk low-end acceleration from 0 to 60 km/h, making it well-suited for city driving.
In terms of range and charging capabilities, the Benben E-Star 2023 Duocai Edition is equipped with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack boasting a capacity of 30.95 kWh, delivering a pure electric range of 310 km under the CLTC cycle. Via DC fast charging, replenishing the battery from 30% to 80% takes approximately 0.8 hours (around 30 minutes), while a full charge on AC slow charging requires 12 hours. Due to reduced battery efficiency in cold conditions and the power draw of the cabin heater, users in northern regions typically experience a real-world winter range drop to around 200 km, which remains on par for vehicles in this class.
Underneath, the Benben E-Star rides on a suspension setup consisting of front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam. Braking performance is handled by ventilated discs up front and solid discs at the rear, complemented by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). It rides on 175/60 R15 tyres across all four corners.
With a 2,410 mm wheelbase and a kerb weight of 1,180 kg, the Benben E-Star offers nimble urban manoeuvrability. Driver feedback consistently praises its light steering, agile handling, and compact footprint, making city overtaking, lane changes, and parking effortless. The chassis feels relatively planted and does an adequate job of damping small road imperfections. On the downside, the rear torsion beam setup results in a noticeably stiff ride over speed bumps, and wind noise becomes prominent at highway cruising speeds above 80 km/h.
In-cabin technology is a standout highlight of the Benben E-Star in its segment. The car features a dual 10.25-inch integrated screen panel that combines a full digital instrument cluster and a central infotainment touchscreen, offering responsive touch inputs and clear, intuitive information readouts. The centre console features an electronic rotary gear selector, which is sleek, easy to use, and space-saving. The steering wheel comes with manual tilt adjustment and integrated multi-function switches.
In terms of comfort and convenience, the car is equipped with power windows all round, including a one-touch auto up/down function for the driver's window, alongside power-adjustable side mirrors. Vanity mirrors are provided for both the driver and front passenger sun visors, while air conditioning is manually operated. It also supports remote telematics functions via a dedicated smartphone app, allowing owners to remotely operate the air conditioning and schedule charging sessions. Audio is delivered via a standard two-speaker sound system, sufficient for basic listening needs.
On the safety front, the Benben E-Star comes equipped with dual front airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) display. The rear seats are fitted with ISOFIX child seat anchors. For passive safety, as a micro-segment vehicle, it omits side and curtain airbags, with its safety suite primarily configured to comply with mandatory regulatory standards.
For driving assistance, the car comes standard with reverse parking sensors and a reverse camera, aiding tight parking manoeuvres. Drivers can also toggle between two drive modes—Standard/Comfort and Sport—while Hill Start Assist (HSA) is standard to momentarily hold brake pressure on inclines for safer drive-offs. Overall, the Benben E-Star lacks advanced Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features, keeping its active safety technology at an entry-level standard for this class.
Thanks to its five-door, five-seater cabin and dual-screen layout, the Benben E-Star carved out a distinct competitive edge against class rivals with its strong practical appeal. Early variants were competitively priced, with some customers securing bare-car deals as low as RM29,800 (mostly during the peak of China's NEV subsidies in 2021), helping the model build a substantial user base.
Sales-wise, the model once hit monthly volumes close to 5,000 units. However, heading into 2025, a combination of internal model realignment, cannibalisation from newer in-house products, and stiffening market competition led to sharp sales volatility. While it registered 2,775 units in January 2025, subsequent months saw sales plunge to single digits or even zero, dragging full-year sales down to approximately 2,802 units and reflecting a sharp decline in market momentum. Feedback from owners remains largely positive regarding its clever packaging, class-above features, and low running costs, though common complaints highlight high-speed wind noise and a firm rear ride. In summary, the Benben E-Star was once a highly compelling urban runabout whose core attributes still offer good reference value today, even though its showroom momentum has noticeably waned.
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