ELECTRIA: First drive: Changan Lumin

As electric vehicles (EV) rise in prominence in the Philippine market, a good number of measures have also popped up to make them more accessible to buyers. The biggest, of course, is the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act, which helps keep the prices of EV models and hybrids low as a measure to combat climate change, rising fuel prices, and other issues. 

While the said law exists, car brands also pitched in to further democratize the usage of electrified cars by releasing highly affordable vehicles. One example is Changan Motor Philippines, which rolled out the all-new Lumin at this year’s Manila International Auto Show (MIAS). 

Priced at a mere P699,000 for the entry-level S and P799,000 for the top-spec L, the nameplate is set to directly compete with the equally accessible Jetour Ice Cream, VinFast VF3, and BYD Seagull. 

With its relatively affordable asking price, the Changan Lumin might be attractive to car buyers on the hunt for a small, beginner-friendly EV. But, what is this new model offering? Also, how does it drive on the less-than-stellar conditions of Metro Manila's thoroughfares? To find out the answer to the said questions, here is Zigwheels Philippines’ first impressions of the Changan Lumin L. 

Exterior

As expected, the Changan Lumin combines a cutesy but stylish appearance with its relatively tiny dimensions. 

Up front, the vehicle wears a pair of circular halogen headlamp clusters equipped with LED position lamps. It also has LED turn signal indicators, rear fog lamps, manual-folding side mirrors, flush door handles, halogen taillights, and a set of 14-inch steel wheels. 

Overall, the Lumin comes with a smooth hatchback-style body shape that’s devoid of sharp character lines. It does have a front vent and slight bulges for its wheel arches, but its entire body appears smooth, slick, and somewhat aerodynamic. 

For reference, here are the dimensions of the Changan Lumin L:

Length (in millimeters [mm>)	3,270
Width (in mm)	1,700
Height (in mm)	1,545
Wheelbase length (in mm)	1,980
Curb weight	915 kilograms

 

Interior

For its interior, it comes with what you’d expect from its price point. It has a simple but practical array of features, including fabric upholstery, manual-adjust seats, a manual air-conditioning system, a 50:50 split-folding rear seat, and power windows - among others. 

Here are other notable features of the Lumin L: 

• Heater
• 12-volt outlet
• Seven-inch digital gauge cluster
• Two-piece speaker system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Front cabin reading lamps

Judging from the features list above, the Lumin does lack a central infotainment system, and any features that require a display are accessed through its digital gauge cluster. It isn’t the most tech-oriented EV on the market right now, but as a consolation, the screen that comes with it has a clear user interface and is fairly responsive to user input. 

Despite its manually adjustable seats and static steering column, the Lumin can also provide a reasonably comfortable driving position. Its seats likewise had enough width to accommodate the writer, who is fairly wide-bodied with a height of five feet and eleven inches. 

Leg room is also acceptable, but people with wide hips will always rub their legs against the car’s door panels. And yes, the Lumin can only fit up to four occupants as its rear seats aren’t wide enough for three. Regardless, two adult-sized people sitting in the back will get a decent amount of legroom, though getting in and out of the rear can be strenuous for some, as the Lumin is a two-door model. 

Safety

For onboard safety, the Chagan Lumin L comes with a sufficient amount of equipment. It has anti-lock braking, electronic stability control, hill-assist control, rear parking sensors, dual front airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and a hand-operated parking brake. 

Similar to other affordably priced EV nameplates and internal combustion cars in the market right now, the Lumin L meets the basics for keeping you safe in the event of a crash. It does have an obvious lack of advanced driver assist systems, but that’s par for the course for low-cost rides that are focused on in-city driving. 

Powertrain and driving

For propulsion, the Changan Lumin L depends on the lithium-ion phosphate battery with a capacity of 28.08 kilowatt-hours. At maximum, it can put out 47 horsepower and 83 Newton-meters (Nm) of torque. It also has a range of 301 kilometers (km). 

Initially, its on-paper output figures sound small, but upon driving the tiny EV, we found that it has enough to keep up with larger, more powerful rides while travelling on EDSA or C5. The aforementioned is mainly thanks to its responsive fixed gear transmission, as well as its relatively light curb weight of 915 kg. 

To further optimize its electric motor, the Lumin also comes with an Eco and Sport modes. On Sport mode, its eagerness to go fast is vastly multiplied. We didn’t exactly break any speed records with the car, but it was peppy enough to make overtaking easy and quick. 

Steering the vehicle likewise felt straightforward. It can be a tad light for some first-time users, but it is direct, and surprisingly enough, it could provide some degree of road feedback as well. Braking power was also sufficient from its front disc and rear drum setup. 

Sounds good so far, but the Lumin does have some quirks one has to watch out for. For starters, its MacPherson strut front and trailing arm rear suspension systems are a bit on the stiff side. Sure, it can handle speed bumps steadily, but we definitely felt the potholes and similar road imperfections, especially on C5. 

Concerning range, we didn’t get exact measurements on consumption. But it had more than enough juice to handle short 500-700 meter trips around the author’s neighborhood. It is definitely economical, but be aware that its zero-to-100 percent battery charge rate is estimated at 10 hours. 

For reference, here are the mechanical details of the Changan Lumin L: 

Motor setup	Single motor
Drivetrain	Front-wheel-drive
Peak output	47 horsepower
Maximum Torque	83 Nm
Range	301 km
Front suspension	MacPherson strut
Rear suspension	Trailing arm
Brakes	Front discs, rear drums

Final thoughts

As a car meant for driving short distances within the city, the Changan Lumin ticks a lot of boxes. It is reasonably comfortable, has enough safety gear, and is sufficiently peppy when it comes to keeping up with larger cars on the road. 

The Lumin’s clear advantage over a lot of subcompacts, however, is its price. As mentioned above, the Changan-made ride starts at P699,000, and that’s something that can entice car buyers who are looking to jump into the world of electric mobility. 

For prospective adopters interested in the Lumin, however, do give it a test drive first. Sure, it looks good on paper, but having real seat time with a car will help you determine if it's really the right one to buy. 

Also read: 

MIAS 2025: New Changan PH NEV models break cover

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Changan expands footprint in PH, opens Dumaguete dealership