Can the Wuling Hongguang Mini be driven on highways?
4 Answers
The Wuling Hongguang Mini can be driven on highways as it is classified as a compact car. Micro cars are not permitted on highways. Below are detailed specifications about the Wuling Hongguang: Overview: The Wuling Hongguang is the first independently developed crossover product by SAIC-GM-Wuling, positioned between commercial vehicles and passenger cars. It features a sleek exterior design and offers a versatile, practical, and spacious interior. Other features: It has a fuel tank capacity of 50L, standard seating for 7, with genuine leather upholstery. It is equipped with two engines: the P-TEC 1.2L and the 1.5L-DVVT, both designed and manufactured under General Motors' global powertrain standards. These engines deliver ample power while maintaining excellent fuel efficiency.
As someone who has driven many electric vehicles, I can tell you that the Wuling Hongguang MINI can indeed go on the highway. It is a regular motor vehicle with a top speed of 100 km/h, which fully exceeds the minimum speed limit requirement for highways. However, this little car is a bit risky on the highway—it's lightweight with narrow tires, making it prone to sway when overtaking large trucks. Additionally, the battery drains quickly; with a claimed range of 170 km, driving at 90 km/h on the highway might only get you around 120 km in reality. I once tried driving 70 km on an intercity highway with the AC on, and it consumed 55% of the battery—my palms were sweating by the time I exited. If you really need to take it on the highway, remember to check charging stations in advance and avoid driving behind large vehicles.
I've been driving the Wuling Hongguang MINI for almost two years and have taken it on five or six short highway trips. The car can handle highways, but the experience isn't great. The steering wheel starts shaking when the speed exceeds 80 km/h, and the tire noise is headache-inducing. Once, a crosswind caused the steering wheel to suddenly slip, which scared me into slowing down immediately. The range also drops significantly—while it lasts a week with city commuting, highway driving requires charging every two days. I'd recommend keeping it to short trips under 80 km; for longer distances, it's better to switch cars. Highway rest stops now have plenty of charging stations, but even fast charging takes over half an hour for this small car, so plan your time wisely to avoid delays.
During the research on electric vehicles, we tested the high-speed performance of the Hongguang MINI. It is legally allowed on highways, but it is designed primarily for urban commuting. With a body weight of only 700 kilograms, it exhibits noticeable body roll during high-speed cornering. The most dangerous aspect is its braking distance—it takes 15 meters to stop from 60 km/h, which is half a car length longer than conventional vehicles. The battery tends to overheat during sustained high-speed discharge, prompting the system to automatically limit output power. On one occasion, while driving at 90 km/h, the speed was suddenly restricted to 70 km/h, nearly causing a rear-end collision. Such micro electric vehicles are only suitable for occasional short highway trips, and long-distance travel should be avoided, especially in rainy or foggy conditions.
