Guys bought the world’s cheapest SUV from China and tried taking it 100 miles off-road but it didn’t exactly go to plan
- North Idaho-based YouTube team bought the world’s cheapest SUV
- They wanted to see if the ChangLi EV could drive off-road
- However, from delivery, nothing went as planned
Published on Mar 06, 2025 at 8:40 PM (UTC+4)
by Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Last updated on Mar 06, 2025 at 9:56 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Tom Wood
North Idaho-based YouTube team Grind Hard Plumbing Co bought a ChangLi, the world’s cheapest SUV, to see if it could survive a 100-mile off-road challenge after modifications.
The electric SUV suffered ‘pre-worn damages’ after falling off a forklift during delivery and during testing.
Since the stock version wasn’t built for rugged terrain, the team upgraded it with several modifications.
However, despite their efforts they didn’t get far.
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ChangLi is world’s cheapest SUV
The mini electric SUV is a ‘fully capable electric mobile that allows you to pick up kids or get groceries without spending on expensive gasoline’.
Selling for $9,999.00 it has a range of 30 miles and a four-hour battery life with zero emissions.
After charging for 4-6 hours, the tiny 95”x48”x64” car has a max speed of 28mph making it perfect for a short commute or local errands.
But is it any good at off-roading?
The off-road attempt
Ethan and Edwin of Grind Hard Plumbing Co ‘build crazy cars and contraptions out of a small garage’.
Key modifications on this small car include welding the differential, adding off-road tires, and reinforcing the structure with plexiglass,
The inefficient built-in heater was also replaced with a diesel heater for better performance in freezing temperatures.
They welded the differential, making the ChangLi more capable of rough terrain.
They also installed two large ‘Raptor 2’ batteries, tripling the SUV’s range from their last challenge.
After making it ‘unstoppable’ it was time to set off.
Using OnX Offroad, they mapped out their 100-mile route while checking snow levels and terrain conditions.
Initial test drives proved rough, with the ChangLi getting stuck multiple times and requiring a Tesla for rescue.
However, the major setback occurred when a wheel fell off, damaging the hub and brakes and raising doubts about completing the challenge.
They made a decision on ‘no more testing’, realizing they were breaking the EV before the challenge even began.
“This thing is completely destroyed before it’s ever left the property,” they said of the Chinese car.
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London-based Amelia cut her journalistic teeth covering all things lifestyle, wellness, and luxury in the UK capital. Fast-forward a decade and the senior content writer and editor has put pen to paper for glossy magazines, busy newsrooms, and coveted brands. When her OOO is on from writing about cars and heading up on-site SEO you can find her spending quality time with her young family, in the gym, or exploring the city she loves.
