2026 Changan Lumin L: A to B with E and V
Although we first learn language through sound (or phonemes, for us language geeks), the alphabet forms the backbone of our basic literacy.
Studying the alphabet has two products – one is the ability to correlate these written symbols into phonemes that we (should) already know and the other is the ability to form words and sentences (morphology and syntax). This allows you to understand everything from a sign at a burger stand to this very review that you’re reading.
I recalled all this because of the veritable alphabet soup that the automotive industry has produced over the last century. And so, we have various concatenations of letters that would befuddle non-car people (and even some car people), such as ABS, EBD, ESC, ADAS, TCS, ACC, LKA, LDW and AHB.
But the combination of two letters appears to have cut through our society, particularly after oil prices shot up after the U.S.-Iran conflict. These are, of course, E and V – indeed, electric vehicles have generated immense interest because of the promise of huge short-term savings (less reliance on fossil fuels) and potential long-term savings (lower maintenance costs).
Nothing, perhaps, exemplifies this better than the adorable 2026 Changan Lumin L.
Smile-eliciting style
Everywhere I took this three-door hatchback, people were enchanted by its appearance.
Kids in the street would point at it, giggling with glee, while teenagers would take a photo with their smartphone in an apparent sign of approval. Even my racing friends, who live and breathe going fast in legal competitions, absolutely fawned over this diminutive EV (arguably a refreshing change to the exotic metal they are used to).
And it’s hard not to feel delight with the Lumin L – its round, projector-style headlights with their partially closed lenses give it a dopey gaze (my mother says it makes the car look like Herbie, the anthropomorphic Volkswagen Beetle). Combine this with the large lower grill and it almost looks like the Lumin L is perpetually smiling.
The side profile is also eye-catching, particularly in our test unit’s Foggie White paintjob. Details like the blacked-out pillars give it a floating roof, while the body-colored covers make the 14-inch steel wheels look like “roletas” (although I must note that the retractable door handles, though sleek, are quite difficult to operate with one hand).
The rear is simple yet chic, thanks to the round taillights and oval lower clusters for the rear fog light and reversing light. Perhaps the only things I’d like changed are the halogen bulbs to LEDs, given that EVs should exemplify energy-efficient technologies.
Urban transport for 4
Despite being a fairly narrow three-door, the Lumin L has reasonable space for four occupants, particularly for short trips.
Getting in and out of the back seats isn’t particularly difficult, while headroom and elbow room are quite good for such a small car (although shorter passengers may be more suited in the back). There are also fun splashes of teal on the dashboard and gear-selector trim that complement the silver switches for the powerful air-conditioner and the funky cloth upholstery.
However, there are acres of hard, scratchy plastics to remind you that this really is an economy car. And the Lumin L is arguably too simple – there is no standard infotainment system (although there are speakers and steering-wheel controls that can be hooked up to a system of your choice), no internal tailgate release and no adjustable rear head restraints.
Other things that this EV puzzlingly lacks include side-mirror adjusters (you have to move the glass itself) and adequate storage space. The latter is because there is no glove compartment, while the open front floor means there is no center console that you could put things in.
In addition, the driver’s seat lacks height adjustment and the steering column is fixed, so the driving position is rather uncomfortable for some drivers. And as my Mom keenly observed, there is no vanity mirror for the passenger side (but one for the driver), while shorter front passengers will have difficulty reaching the seatbelt on the B-pillar.
Finally, cargo space with the rear seats up is next to useless (as such, there is no spare tire) and the loading lip is quite tall. And although the split-folding second row is easy to operate, it doesn’t fold flat for easy loading and unloading of big items (there is also no “frunk” under the capacious engine bay for additional cargo).
Peppy EV power
Unsurprisingly, a car as small as the Lumin L does very well in city driving.
It is delightfully easy to maneuver through tight spaces not only because of its petite dimensions, but also because of its light steering. This little EV also comes with a zippy powertrain, which combines a 28.4-kWh LFP battery and a front-mounted electric motor for a total of 48 horsepower and 83 Newton-meters of torque.
Don’t bother with the Eco mode, though – Sport mode gives you better acceleration, throttle response and even allows you to go well past 100 km/h (Eco mode limits the top speed to 84 km/h). And whichever mode we used, we got 9.8 to 10.2 kWh in the city or the expressway for a maximum range of around 250 kilometers on a single full charge.
But be careful as the numb steering, 165/70-series tires, short wheelbase and sub-1,000-kilogram kerb weight make the Lumin L rather darty at triple-digit speeds. This little Changan also has strong brakes that are operated by a rather spongy pedal, while the suspension offers manageable body roll with a jiggly ride.
Safety gear is fairly minimal with dual front airbags and ISOFIX child-restraint anchors. Given that this little car will likely spend most of its life in the urban jungle, a full active-safety suite and additional airbags (especially for the rear occupants) would be greatly appreciated.
Cute runabout
On the whole, the 2026 Changan Lumin L is a charming, all-electric, city runabout that has the performance and range to handle occasional expressway trips.
It performs better than the likes of smaller EVs like the Jetour Ice Cream and the Wuling Gameboy. But at P799,000, the Lumin L is priced too close to (or even higher than) other small EVs like the P745,000 VinFast VF3 or the five-door Dongfeng EX1 PRO at P838,000.
The little Changan’s price is also in the territory of traditional subcompact sedans and hatchbacks that offer better practicality, comfort, performance, drivability, safety and range – these include the P735,000 Toyota Wigo G, the P780,000 Toyota Vios XE and even Changan Philippines’ own Eado Plus Luxe at P799,999.
Nonetheless, the Lumin L is a fabulous addition to the vocabulary of cars. With its adorable looks and EV performance, it is certainly “A-OK.”
