Changan Benben E-Star

Model Overview

The Changan Benben E-Star is an all-electric micro hatchback launched by Changan New Energy in April 2020, built on the proven platform of the petrol-powered Changan Benben. Serving as the second offering in Changan New Energy's "E-Series", the Benben E-Star is positioned as an urban runabout, daily family commuter, and cost-effective mobility solution, headlined by three core selling points: an accessible price tag, generous driving range, and a practical five-door, five-seater layout. Early variants (the 2020 Xindong and Xinyue Editions) were priced between RM69,800 and RM74,800 post-subsidy, while the subsequent "National Edition" slashed the entry barrier further to RM29,800, putting it in direct competition with rivals like the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV. In 2023, the refreshed Colorful Edition debuted, with the Qingxin and Shangxin Editions retailing at official list prices of RM69,800 to RM74,800 (dropping to as low as RM59,800 with launch cash rebates). As of 2026, the Benben E-Star Colorful Edition remains on sale with a starting price of around RM67,900. Prior to order bookings being halted in 2022 due to production cost deficits, the Benben E-Star stood as Changan New Energy's best-selling volume driver, with annual deliveries once crossing the 90,000-unit milestone.

Design Language

On the styling front, the Benben E-Star incorporates a fresh biomimetic design language that retains the classic silhouette of the original petrol Benben while injecting distinctive EV design cues. Up front, it features a fully enclosed grille textured with diamond mesh motifs, crowned by a full-width black trim strip and flanked by shark-eye LED headlights (housing an array of 80 LED diodes) for a sharp, multi-layered visual stance. The lower front bumper features a three-stage layout with vertical aero ducts on either side to accentuate its sporty flair. Along the flanks, upward-sloping dual character lines and 15-inch blade-style alloy wheels give it a youthful, contemporary profile. The rear end opts for a cleaner aesthetic, featuring split tail lamps that mirror the front lighting and a lower bumper apron matching the nose. In terms of dimensions, the car measures 3,770 mm in length, 1,650 mm in width, and 1,570 mm in height, riding on a 2,410 mm wheelbase with a 5-door, 5-seater configuration typical of an A-segment city hatch.

Powertrain and Performance

The entire Benben E-Star range is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor that adopts dual 3-in-1 integrated powertrain architectures—grouping "OBC + DC-DC + PDU" and "drive motor + motor controller + reduction gearbox". This setup reduces system weight by approximately 38% while boosting overall efficiency by around 3.8%. The electric motor delivers 55 kW (approximately 75 PS) and a peak torque of 170 Nm, completing the 0-50 km/h sprint in roughly 4.7 seconds, with top speed electronically capped at 101 km/h. For battery hardware, early models featured a 32.2 kWh ternary lithium battery pack with an energy density of 160 Wh/kg; later Colorful Edition units transitioned to a 31.86 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack supplied by Gotion High-tech. Both battery options come with a lifetime battery cell warranty (equivalent to 10 years or 300,000 km). In terms of efficiency, the car yields an NEDC-rated range of 301 km (rated at 310 km under the CLTC cycle for the 2023 Colorful Edition). When plugged in, DC fast charging takes the battery from 30% to 80% SoC in about 30 minutes, whereas standard AC slow charging takes around 8.35 hours to reach 80% and roughly 11.5 hours for a full charge.

Ride and Handling

The chassis setup is one of the car's most lauded attributes within its segment. It rides on MacPherson strut independent suspension at the front and a torsion beam non-independent setup at the rear—standard running gear for micro electric vehicles. However, Changan's chassis engineers opted for a supple yet well-damped tune, allowing the suspension to iron out road imperfections and speed humps smoothly. Road shocks entering the cabin feel controlled and composed, without noticeable jitter or unsettled rebound. Meanwhile, its short wheelbase and low kerb weight (around 1,180 kg) deliver nimble urban manoeuvrability, making tight city parking effortless. The electric power steering (EPS) is calibrated on the lighter side, offering effortless control for city driving and beginners while retaining sufficient centre on-centre deadband for highway stability. For NVH suppression, electric drive refinement ensures excellent low-speed cabin quietness, while tyre roar and wind noise at motorway cruising speeds remain within acceptable thresholds. Drivers can select between D (Standard) and S (Sport) drive modes, alongside two levels of regenerative braking (B+ for aggressive recuperation and B- for lighter deceleration). In S mode, throttle response sharpens and top speed extends to 120 km/h; the car also includes a "Long Range Mode" that caps maximum speed at 70 km/h and maximises energy recuperation for low-charge emergencies.

Cabin and Equipment

Onboard digital technology represents the Benben E-Star's main competitive edge in its class. Standard across the range is a 10.25-inch dual-screen widescreen cockpit (digital instrument cluster + infotainment touchscreen)—a standout inclusion in this price bracket. Higher-grade variants feature the "Yuelian" infotainment system with onboard navigation, Bluetooth, Kuwo online music/radio streaming, smartphone mirroring, and the "Hello Xiao An" intelligent voice assistant, enabling hands-free voice operation for the air-conditioning, navigation, and charging station searches. Additionally, 4G T-BOX telematics allows owners to remotely check vehicle status, run diagnostic checks, schedule charging sessions, and manage automated parking payments via a dedicated smartphone app. Convenience features across the range include a rotary drive selector, electronic parking brake (EPB on upper trims), an auto-centring gear selector with dedicated P button, a tilt-adjustable multi-function steering wheel, fabric upholstery, manual air-conditioning, and rear parking sensors. The front seats provide manual fore/aft and backrest adjustments, the rear floor is virtually flat, and the rear bench splits 60:40. Boot capacity starts at 147 litres and expands to 530 litres with the rear seats folded down, complemented by 15 storage cubbies dotted around the interior. On entry-level trims, however, the dashboard and door panels make extensive use of hard plastics, and features like voice control and built-in navigation remain reserved for higher-spec models.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the Benben E-Star comes standard with dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and a tyre pressure monitoring display. Higher-spec variants add Hill Start Assist and rear parking sensors, with the electronic parking brake enhancing everyday driving ease. That said, the car omits mid-to-high-tier active safety systems such as electronic stability control (ESC), traction control, and brake assist across the board—a common cost-cutting trade-off among entry-level micro EVs. The body utilizes a unibody safety cell structure that, combined with Changan's established production standards, meets baseline crash protection requirements for everyday city commuting. Regarding driver assistance, the vehicle focuses strictly on basic transportation and does not feature Level 2 or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), meaning the driver retains full manual operational control at all times.

Market Performance and Reception

The Benben E-Star served as Changan New Energy's foremost volume generator in the entry-level EV segment. In 2021, Changan New Energy recorded total passenger car sales of 76,500 units, with the Benben E-Star accounting for an overwhelming 99.9% of that total. Between January and May 2022, cumulative deliveries reached 41,400 units, placing it third in the micro EV segment. Full-year 2022 sales totaled 92,100 units, securing a 12.9% market share in the micro commuter vehicle category and ranking third overall. However, triggered by spiralling upstream raw material costs (most notably the surge in lithium battery prices), Changan New Energy logged cumulative losses of around RM4,659,000,000 between 2018 and 2021, with the Benben E-Star lineup accounting for roughly RM3,000,000,000 in red ink within three years of its debut. By July 2022, Changan halted order bookings for the model; although production restarted in 2023 under the Colorful Edition banner, its starting price was adjusted upward to beyond RM78,900, eroding the runaway value proposition it enjoyed during its peak "national runabout" era. As Changan pivoted its resources towards newer EPA0-platform micro EVs like the Lumin, the Benben E-Star gradually took a back seat in the mainstream lineup, though variants like the Colorful Edition remain on sale through 2026. Owner feedback consistently praises its real-world range accuracy (achieving around 286 km in real-world driving, remarkably close to official claims), spacious rear legroom, the sheer utility of a five-door five-seater layout, and its class-above dual-screen setup. Conversely, the absence of ESC across the range and the stepped angle when the rear seats are folded remain common pain points among owners. In summary, with its practical 5-door cabin, dependable 301 km range, and aggressive value proposition, the Changan Benben E-Star became a standout success in China's new energy micro car boom between 2020 and 2022. Alongside the Wuling Hongguang MINI EV, it helped ignite the "people's EV" mobility wave before navigating rising battery costs, subsidy phase-outs, and brand restructuring. In doing so, it established a massive user base and brand equity for Changan New Energy in the urban EV market, laying crucial groundwork for the brand's next-generation platforms.