The 5th-gen Wuling Hongguang Mini EV gets a fresh look

27 February 2026

One tiny electric car continues to prove that small and simple can be a massive success. Wuling has officially revealed the fifth generation of its famous Hongguang Mini EV - the best-selling micro EV on the planet - and the new updates should keep it at the top of the charts.

Since it first arrived in July 2020, the Wuling Hongguang Mini EV has been a powerhouse in the car market. By the start of 2026, the company reported that it had sold more than 1.85 million units. In 2025 alone, drivers bought 435,598 of these electric cars. For 65 months in a row, it has held the title of the top-selling micro-class vehicle in China. This new version is designed to keep that momentum going with a style that looks both modern and classic at the same time.

One of the biggest changes for the new generation is its fresh look. Wuling decided to give both the two-door and four-door models a unified appearance. The most eye-catching features are the new circular headlights and matching circular taillights. A black "floating" roof and a stylish LED strip between the front lights give the car a friendly, retro personality. To keep things simple, the manufacturer introduced three specific exterior colors: green, white, and gray.

Size is everything when it comes to city driving, and the Hongguang Mini EV is a master of tight spaces, though the four-door version has grown slightly. It now measures 128.7 inches in length, 59.8 inches in width, and 62 inches in height. It has a wheelbase of 86.2 inches. Compared to the previous model, it is 0.47 inches longer and 0.39 inches wider. These small changes in dimensions are mostly due to the new bumper designs, while the car stays just as agile as before for navigating narrow streets.

For buyers who want an even smaller footprint, the two-door version is still a great option. This variant is 119.8 inches long, 59.8 inches wide, and 62.6 inches tall. Its wheelbase measures 77.4 inches. The body is shorter than the four-door model, yet it still offers the same cute styling. Inside, the car provides four seats, making it a practical choice for small families.

The new version uses a 30 kW electric motor powering the rear wheels. Wuling has not shared the exact battery range for this specific update yet, but the car is built on the proven Global Small Electric Vehicle (GSEV) architecture. This platform is the same one used for other popular models like the Air EV and the Nano EV.

But it is the price that's the most impressive part of the Hongguang Mini EV story. The existing two-door models start at around RMB 32,800 - that's around £3,490. The four-door versions usually start at RMB 44,800, or about £4,764. We expect the fifth-generation models to stay in a similar price range, most likely topping out at around RMB 50,800 (£5,400) for the highest trim.

Wuling ended up creating a true legend by focusing on what Chinese drivers really want - short trips, easy parking, and low costs. The Hongguang Mini EV went from being a cheap electric car to becoming a tool that brought EVs to people who thought they would never be able to afford one.

Via