2026 Changan Lumin Review

Today, the market of EVs has flourished beyond the three or four selections we used to only get five or 10 years ago. Now, there’s an electrified choice whether you want something fast, something practical, or even a utilitarian workhorse. 

That surge also welcomed the arrival of the Changan Lumin, a three-door EV hatchback that’s taking on the sub P1 million city EV segment. It’s got cute dimensions, headlights with attitude, and a surprisingly filled spec sheet for its size and price. How well does it fare then in the real world? Here’s what we got.

Starting off with the price, the Changan Lumin comes in two variants with a starting price of P699,000 for the Lumin S. The model we have on test is the Lumin L with a price tag of P799,000. 

What do you get for P100,000 more? The only difference between the two is that the L gets a bigger battery, 28.08 kWh to be exact. Battery size aside, we do admit that P799,000 for a car the size of the Lumin may be a bit of an ask, especially considering it looks somewhat like a novelty item. Despite being on the pricier side, it does manage to surprise once you take it for a drive—which we’ll get to.

Propelling the tiny Lumin is a single electric motor developing 47 hp and 83 Nm of torque, driving the front wheels. According to Changan, the Lumin can achieve a top speed of 101 km/h. Going back a bit to the battery, the larger 28.08 kWh battery allows the Lumin L to drive up to an NEDC-claimed range of up to 301 km. 

For those of us driving in the city, that’s about three days of use before you need to charge it. Plus, unlike competitors such as the JETOUR Ice Cream and the VinFast VF3—which use GB/T and DC2 charging types, respectively—the Lumin comes with Type 2 charging. This means you can use most charging stations around the metro, including those found in malls.

From a design standpoint, the Changan Nevo Lumin leans heavily into its cute charm. Its rounded edges and aggressive “angry” headlights give it a quirky, almost playful character. Up front, the Lumin keeps things simple with halogen headlights framed by LED DRLs with a sort of eyelid covering the top. The lighting setup works well with the car’s smooth fascia, contrasting the car’s size with a bit of sass. Rolling on 14-inch steel wheels, the Lumin looks appropriately scaled for tight city streets while hinting at the nimbleness you’d expect from a small EV. Practical touches like the follow-me-home lighting function round out the package, adding a layer of everyday convenience and safety.

Overall, we’d have to say that the Lumin might be one of the cutest cars we’ve tested recently. Not just because it’s small, but because its expressive face is simply a delight to look at.

Open the rear door, and you’ll be greeted by 104 liters of space, not really much, just enough for the home charger and a few golf umbrellas. However, if you really need the extra space and don’t have to transport two extra passengers, the rear seats fold 50/50, providing enough space for a balikbayan box and a few more bags.

Starting at the second row, as you’d expect, life inside the Lumin back here is pretty basic and bare. There are no bottle holders, cup holders, or even air vents, just a single Type-A USB port for charging. Despite the lack of features, back here, headroom and legroom are surprisingly adequate if the front passengers are generous. As two passengers in the back row are already in for a squeeze, fitting a third passenger in is out of the question.

Up front, finding a comfortable driving position may take some time, especially if you’re taller. This is because the Lumin’s seat height and steering wheel position are fixed, with the only available adjustments being seat recline and the distance between the seat and the pedals. Beyond that, the Lumin comes with a digital seven-inch instrument cluster with the steering wheel housing controls for the radio. The Lumin does not have an infotainment system, but it does provide a mounting place for your phone or tablet. 

Underneath the vents are your air controls, which are placed in easy-to-reach and easy-to-manipulate buttons and knobs, which are great. Nearby is a 12V socket and a small cubby hole for cards and coins. 

At the center console, you’ll find the rotary dial for the transmission, the handbrake, and the switches for the traction control. 

Despite the bare bones interior, we like the usage of different textures and contrasting colors inside the Lumin. You’ll find these on the seats, on the center console, and on the dashboard, providing a splash of color in this cute car. 

For a car of this size and price point, the bar isn’t set particularly high, but the Lumin manages to exceed expectations in a few key areas. First is power: 47 hp may not sound like much, but it’s more than enough to get this city slicker up to speed with ease. Next is NVH insulation. We’re used to small EVs like the Lumin offering limited isolation from the outside world, but inside, it’s whisper-quiet, with the only noticeable noise coming from the electric motor. Lastly, in the same vein as NVH, the cabin is a pleasant place to be. Thanks to its effective sound insulation, holding a conversation inside the Lumin is far less stressful than in other similarly sized cars.

All in all, despite being a small EV, the Lumin is an EV that can run inside the city and slightly beyond with confidence. The NVH, power, and 300 km of range mean it's a viable alternative to your gas-powered car for the daily commute.

Is the Changan Lumin worth the money? We think so. It’s a surprisingly refined electric city car, offering more than enough range for daily urban use and the occasional trip beyond city limits. Its Type 2 charging capability is a definite advantage, as it isn’t limited to home charging like many EVs in its size and price bracket, allowing access to public charging stations around the metro. If you’re considering a small EV for city driving, the Lumin deserves a spot on your shortlist.