Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD review: blowin' in the (east) wind

Before we get this review underway there are probably a few questions you are asking yourself. Mainly; what the hell is a 'Dongfeng'?

The answer to that question is that Dongfeng Motor Corporation is one of China’s oldest and largest state-owned carmakers, and was founded in 1969 during a government push to build a domestic automotive industry, initially focused on military trucks and heavy commercial vehicles.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, Dongfeng became a major partner for foreign manufacturers entering China’s heavily regulated car market. Joint ventures with companies including Nissan, Honda, and PSA Peugeot Citroen helped the company gain access to modern vehicle platforms, manufacturing processes, and large-scale passenger car production.

Dongfeng has had a slightly rocky introduction to New Zealand with its first offering, the likeable but flawed Box, scoring a less-that-stellar safety rating. However, things quickly got on a stronger footing with a recent update for the Box that improved it on the safety front, and the arrival of both the larger Vigo SUV and the car you see here, the 007.

Both got healthier safety ratings, while the 007 is something of a showstopper with its sleek, sporty looks and truly bargain pricing.

Yes, that's right, the 007 isn't a Euro sports sedan-priced performance car. Hell, it isn't even a Tesla Model 3-priced one. Nope, the 007 is a straight up Toyota Camry-priced EV that just happens to look like it is worth considerably more.

Starting at just $54,990, the Dongfeng 007 Long Range is a 4880mm long liftback with a 200kW/320Nm motor driving the rear wheels, powered by a 70kWh battery that supports up to 200kW DC fast charging speeds. If you want more, then you can go for the $59,990 Performance AWD that just doubles everything - 400kW and 640Nm from two electric motors - and packs a brutal 0 to 100 time of just 3.9 seconds.

Here though, we have the entry Long Range RWD model here with its 200kW/ electric motor that will propel it to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and offers a range of up to 520km according to WLTP testing.

In terms of standard equipment, the only things the RWD misses out on compared to the hot AWD model is a grey and white interior (the RWD gets a black and white one) and driver distraction/fatigue monitoring, while the AWD also gets the exclusive Orchid Purple colour option all to itself as well.

Otherwise they are identical, riding on the same 19-inch alloy wheels and with identical - and very well stocked - standard equipment lists.

On the outside: what are the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD's main design features?

The Dongfeng 007's exterior is undeniably its standout feature, boasting a sleek, handsome design that makes it look like a high-end performance car costing twice its actual price.

Looking like it should be a close-to-$100,000 vehicle, the 007’s sporty, swoopy lines are genuinely attractive and give it a remarkable presence on the road for a car that costs Toyota Camry money.

While the 007’s lines look fantastic, its 19-inch wheels and tyres look oddly small in relation to its body size, but this is only a minor thing and, overall, it’s a car that turns heads and exudes an air of premium sportiness that is hard to ignore.

OVERVIEW

On the inside: what's the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD's cabin like?

The cabin of the 007 is another area where it punches well above its price tag. A genuinely quality air to the cabin’s cabin materials reinforce the car's premium aspirations, while the full-length panoramic glass roof adds an open, airy and, yes, premium feel.

While the 007's looks project sporty aspirations, its performance is more adequate than exhilarating.

Soft touch materials cover the majority of surfaces you come into regular contact with, while any harder areas also feel of a good quality.

The seats are comfortable and supportive, but the ventilation function is strangely weak. Physical controls are sparse, with omost control of the 007's systems happening via the large central touchscreen that is generally well laid out, but can get a bit dense and confusing when looking for more minor controls.

In terms of interior space, the 007 offers a surprising amount, with plenty of legroom and good headroom in the rear, thanks in part to that large panoramic sunroof that doesn't impede on the swooping roofline's interior space.

Practicality is also a strong suit, with the 007 featuring an absolutely enormous boot, especially when the rear seats are folded down. However, the rear seat folds as a single piece rather than a more versatile split-fold arrangement.

Possibly the single worst aspect of the 007's interior isn't visual, but rather aural; the sound quality of the audio system is dismal. It's loud enough, with an enveloping surround sound option, but you simply cannot get any warmth into the sound, making it a reedy, grating experience.

INTERIOR

On the road: what's the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD like to drive?

This is where the paradox of the Dongfeng 007 becomes most apparent.

The 007 Long Range we drive here was a rear-wheel-drive variant with a 200kW motor mounted on the rear axle. While its looks project sporty aspirations, its performance is more adequate than exhilarating.

It offers a firm and sporty ride that feels generally pleasant, even in Sport mode, however, its driving dynamics don't exactly live up to the visual promise.

In Eco and Comfort modes, the steering is lifeless with no weight or feel. Switching to Sport - or the amusingly named "Combat" mode (which displays "Fight!" on the driver's screen when you turn it on) - adds some much-needed weight, making the car more engaging, but still far from spectacular.

The 007 comes off as a car that doesn’t exactly live up to its looks. However, and this is the big caveat; it actually does live up to the dynamic expectations of a medium/large RWD sedan that costs $55k.

Handling is likewise merely adequate, with the 007 possessing a competent, predictable chassis that defaults towards a safe, slightly unrefined tendency to understeer very early in the piece.

The 007’s performance is best described as "fast enough", being more than adequate, but not genuinely quick in a way that would justify it having the optimistically-named "Combat" mode, nor the way the traction control aggressively kicks in when powering out of a corner, drastically cutting power at the slightest hint of low traction.

The 007’s most significant driving frustration comes from the driver assists, particularly the lane-keep assist, which is overly intrusive and constantly tugs at the wheel. It can be turned off, but only after a tedious crawl through its menus.

Between this, the overly aggressive stability and traction control systems and the unrefined dynamic behaviour, the 007 comes off as a car that doesn’t exactly live up to its looks. However, and this is the big caveat; it actually does live up to the dynamic expectations of a medium/large RWD sedan that costs $55k. It is benign and predictable, with a safe default to understeer when it gets out of its comfort zone (despite being a RWD car), and it almost certainly won't spring any unpleasant surprises on you.

SPECIFICATIONS

On ownership: what's the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD's warranty and servicing situation?

Dongfeng NZ supplies the 007 with a 6-year/200,000km warranty, complete with 6 years roadside assist, as well as an 8-year/200,000km warranty on the battery. In terms of servicing, the 007 has a 1-year/15,000km interval between services.

On the whole: what do we think of the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD?

The Dongfeng 007 is a car of contradictions. It offers exceptional value for money, with a starting price of $54,990. For that you get a car with sensational looks, a high-quality and spacious interior, and a massive boot. Even if it were a conventionally styled petrol-powered sedan, it would still be considered great value.

However, its sleek, sporty design creates expectations that its performance and handling simply don’t meet in 200kW RWD form. It is dynamically average at best and lacks the refined, engaging driving experience of rivals like the Tesla Model 3, though it is considerably cheaper. The intrusive driver-assist systems are a major annoyance, though this could potentially be fixed with a future over-the-air update.

Ultimately, the Dongfeng 007 is a competent, exceptionally well-priced electric sedan that happens to be wrapped in the body of a sleek, sexy sports sedan. If you value head-turning style and practicality over pure driving pleasure, and can live with its dynamic shortcomings and a comedy sounding name, then the 007 is a genuinely good and remarkably affordable option. For the money, you could happily live with it, even if it is more Inspector Gadget than James Bond.

Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD FAQs

What kind of car is the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD?

A medium-sized liftback saloon.

Does the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD have hybrid or EV technology?

Yes, the 007 is all-electric.

What’s the energy economy of the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD?

Dongfeng claims a combined average energy efficiency of 14.3kWh/100km for the RWD 007.

Is the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD safe?

The 007 hasn't been tested by ANCAP, but has been give a 5-Star Vehicle Safety Risk Rating (VSSR) by Rightcar. It features a total of six airbags, including dual front airbags, dual front side airbags and dual full-length curtain airbags.

What safety and assistance features does the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD have?

What are the Dongfeng 007 Long Range RWD's main rivals?

• Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD ($63,900): same range, but slower and more expensive.
• Kia EV4 Light LR 2WD ($63,990): bigger range, more dynamically engaging. Polarising looks.
• Toyota Camry ZR ($58,190): not an EV, but is a similar size and price.
• BYD Seal Dynamic ($58,990): less range and less power, but more polished.
• Mazda 6e ($TBA): not here yet, but is a similar size and looks likely to be a similar price.