Can the Chang'an Benben Drive on the Highway?

[LailaLynn]

Chang'an Benben can drive on the highway, although it is positioned as an urban commuter vehicle. Below are relevant introductions about driving on the highway: Highway Driving Age Regulations: According to regulations, drivers with more than one year of driving experience can drive on the highway alone. New drivers with less than one year of experience must be accompanied by a driver who has held a corresponding or higher-level driver's license for more than three years when driving on the highway. Highway Driving Precautions: Check for potential hazards before driving, focus on driving, avoid fatigue driving, maintain a safe speed, report early and late, be cautious when driving at night, and handle tire blowouts correctly.

[MacMadeline]

I have a lot to say about driving the Changan Benben on the highway, as I own this model myself and often take it on weekend short trips. It's legally allowed on highways—Chinese traffic laws permit small cars to use them—but there are a few things to note: the engine is small, just 1.0L, so when the speed exceeds 80km/h, the RPM shoots up, making a lot of noise that can be annoying; the car is lightweight, so it tends to wobble in strong winds or when passing large trucks, requiring a firm grip on the steering wheel and avoiding sharp turns. Before hitting the road, I always check the tire pressure and tread wear—worn-out tires are prone to blowouts at high speeds, and brake pads should also be inspected for wear. I recommend not driving too fast, keeping it under 90km/h, and leaving enough distance for slow acceleration when overtaking. Long trips aren’t ideal—it’s better suited for city commuting—but driving carefully for short distances shouldn’t be a problem.

[MollyFitz]

As a stay-at-home mom, I've been using the Changan Benben to take my kids around for several years and have driven it on highways a few times. It can handle highway speeds without issue, and the law doesn't prohibit small cars, but safety is the main concern. The lightweight body lacks stability, and at higher speeds, especially when encountering crosswinds, it feels floaty. I usually keep it under 85 km/h and make sure the kids are securely buckled up and don't move around. The small trunk shouldn't be overloaded to avoid affecting the center of gravity, and it's important to monitor the cooling system—long summer trips can cause the engine to overheat, so adding coolant in advance helps. Worn tires can easily slip on wet roads, so it's advisable to do a simple maintenance check on the brakes every six months. Although it can handle highways, it's best to choose times with less traffic to minimize risks.

[GenevieveLee]

I've been driving this microcar for fifteen years, and the Chang'an Benben can certainly go on the highway. The 1.0L engine can barely reach 100, but don't expect much speed; the low center of gravity makes it unstable in strong winds; old tires are prone to bursting at high speeds, so check the air pressure and tread depth; whether the brakes work well is crucial—slow down on downhill slopes; drive carefully, around 80 is safe and fuel-efficient.