Is this the cheapest C-segment SUV in the market right now?
Dongfeng’s already vast vehicle lineup has been further expanded with the introduction of the Fengguan 580, whose prices range from 95,900 to 129,900 yuan (about RM62,120 to RM84,150). For 2021, the six-seater C-segment SUV brings with it fresh exterior and interior design, as well as a host of new features.
Evidently, the exterior design is a huge departure from the Glory 580 seven-seat SUV that was launched in Malaysia back in December 2020. The newcomer is a bit more angular, with a prominent black front grille which appears to be heavily inspired by the Geely Boyue X. Similar to the Volkswagen Golf Mk8, the grille has an illuminated strip that combines with the daytime running lights in the headlights.
Along the side, you’ll see a partially blacked-out D-pillar for a floating roof effect, strong character lines as well as a small kink at the bottom of the rearmost window. Round the back, the most apparent feature is the Lexus UX-esque light bar that spans across the tailgate.
Dimension-wise, the Fengguang 580 measures 4,720 mm long and 1,710 mm tall, making it slightly longer and taller than the current Honda CR-V, while the width is exactly the same at 1,865 mm. The wheelbase is another area the Chinese SUV excels at, with a measurement of 2,785 mm versus the CR-V’s 2,660 mm.
Going inside, the whole cabin looks rather upscale for its price, thanks to the liberal application of rich red leather, as well as gloss black and dark wood trims. The overall impression of luxury is further heightened with the presence of dual-screen setup made up of a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display. The gear lever design is very similar to that of the Peugeot 3008 but we’re not complaining.
The Fengguang 580 adopts a 2+2+2 seating layout, which means it has individual seats in the second row. This is undoubtedly the best place to be as the seats are equipped with 8-way adjustment, heating and ventilation functions as well as pillow-like headrests.
That said, it has a 2+2+2, i.e., a 6-seater design, especially the second row of seats, is very versatile, with 8-way electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, and sleeping headrest functions, bringing a more comfortable riding experience. At the same time, it is also equipped with a brand new 1.5L engine.
Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine, which according to CarNewsChina, is developed by Xiaokang Power. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the engine churns out a respectable 184 PS and 300 Nm of torque. That’s 9 PS less but 57 Nm more than what the CR-V offers. It’s unknown whether the output is transferred to the front or both axles but Dongfeng claims a fuel consumption of 7 litres per 100 km.
