What's this new car all about then?
Vigo is the second new Dongfeng to be launched in New Zealand, following the Box city hatchback late last year. This one is more of a volume player: it's a compact SUV, so it happens to be pitching into the largest single new-vehicle segment in the country.
That might help to balance out the fact that it also belongs to a tiny segment in the new-vehicle market: it's pure-electric, with a 52kWh LFP battery, single 120kW/230Nm motor driving the front wheels and WLTP range of 340km. Peak charging rate is an impressive 167kW.
Part of the proposition is a fairly luxurious standard-equipment list for what's a budget small-SUV. Vigo comes with LED lights, 6-way power-adjustable seats for driver and front passenger (plus memory, ventilation, heating and welcome function for the driver), climate control with rear-seat outlets, ambient interior lighting, 12.8-inch infotainment screen, adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera system.
Dongfeng NZ is counting on cabin space and versatility being a big part of the appeal. The Vigo is only 4.3m long, but 67% of that length is in the wheelbase. Accommodation is generous front and rear, and the back is all the more welcoming because the floor is flat.
Dongfeng is counting on cabin space and cargo-area versatility being a big part of the Vigo's appeal.
The boot is also impressively big for the class, at 500 litres. You don't get it all in one go, though. The top layer is 313l, with a second compartment underneath at 115l and yes, you guessed it, yet another cargo area right at the bottom with 72l.
There's a novel split tailgate (kinda like a Range Rover) with a lower portion that can support 150kg so yes, you can sit on it at a picnic. The tailgate is manual, but it can be powered for $1690.
Speaking of picnics, you can also use the external speaker at the front to play music via the car's audio system.
But if you've brought your Android phone to the picnic, you'll need the $390 phone-projection upgrade package because only Apple CarPlay is pre-installed, which seems a bit stingy. Apparently it requires some software and a physical adaptor; the Kiwi team says it's still working on a final solution to integrate that properly, because it doesn't want an untidy dongle dangling from the dash in this new Dongfeng.
Part of Dongfeng's mission statement is price parity with ICE models, but without skimping on the equipment list.
Anyway, still on that picnic: the car features Camp Mode, which can maintain 25deg inside even when the vehicle is off and locked up, providing continuous power supply and vehicle to load (V2L) capability via an optional $440 adaptor for the charge port.
Safety's a touchy subject with Dongfeng at the moment. Vigo hasn't been ANCAP tested, but unlike the Box it carries 5 star approval from NZ's VSRR. To learn a bit more about that, click here.
How much is it?
Part of Dongfeng's mission statement is price parity with ICE models, but without skimping on the equipment list. So there's just one Vigo with everything at $39,990, plus a launch offer that applies a $2k discount until the end of April. Yours for $37,990.
It's quick enough, but should also be a calming machine around town because the electric motor is calibrated for quite a gentle takeoff.
But wait, there's more!... as the company might say (but doesn't, just to be clear). First buyers also get the panoramic glass roof option free of charge, which normally costs $1500. So that's a $3500 saving overall; assuming you actually want your roof to be see-through.
Twilight White is the standard colour, so if you want Wild Green (currently the hot ticket, says the company), Glacial Silver, Sandy Yellow, Future Orange or Cyber Black, you're up for another $499. Black's the only exterior colour you can combine with the beige interior (as an option); otherwise every Vigo has grey and black cabin finish, with synthetic "leather" upholstery.
Dongfeng NZ is playing up the lifestyle vibe with a range of accessories for the car. Some are factory, some are local, the most novel being a custom-fit matress for the cargo area so you can sleep in the car.
DONGFENG VIGO ACCESSORIES
- Roof rack $570
- Roof box $TBC
- Mattress $440
- Boot partition table $320
- Boot tent $250
- Awning $250
- Boot mat $220
- Panoramic roof shade $130
What's it like to drive?
Our drive-time was brief, part of a Dongfeng media day to introduce Vigo and another new model (bet you can't wait to find out what that is). We did a lap of Hampton Downs Motorsport Park that involved a few stops, starts and steering around some cones, then a quick squirt on some country roads.
So don't come looking for the definitive drive experience yet; we've got a longer-term test car on the way.
It's quick enough with 0-100km/h in 7.8 seconds, but should also be a calming machine around town because the electric motor is calibrated for quite a gentle takeoff. You can drive away from the traffic lights with brio and not feel like you're being silly.
But it's definitely a town car. The steering is super-light and the chassis doesn't much care for tight turns on rural roads, scrubbing off speed with lots of understeer. The suspension also lacks control on the bumpy stuff.
And that's theoretically fine. This genre of vehicle is very much about urban driving and maximum ride comfort, although the odd foray out of town is not out of the question. For picnics and camping, obviously. We're keen for more time behind the wheel, and we'll report back.
What’s the pick of the range?
That's not even a question silly, because there's just the one model.
There will be more places to buy it soon, though. Complementary to existing Dongfeng showrooms in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, at the end of February there will be four new dealers: Takanini Auto Group, Auckland Auto Group (Albany), Waikato Auto Group (Hamilton) and Tauranga Motor Group.
What other cars should I consider?
Small BEV-SUVs around the $40k mark are the obvious ones: the new BYD Atto 2 ($39,990-$45,990), Omoda E5 ($36,990) and the forthcoming Jaecoo J5 ($42,990).
But Dongfeng would like to think buyers of sub-$40k hybrid and ICE SUVs will also take a look at the Vigo. Perhaps the Chery Tiggo 4 ($24,990-$37,990), MG ZS ($27,990-$38,990) or even, brace yourself, a non-Chinese car like the Toyota Yaris Cross ($39,690-$47,190).
