Dongfeng Vigo

The Dongfeng Vigo is a five-seat electric SUV offered in Malaysia in a single Premier front-wheel-drive variant. Its list price is RM108,888, while the current RM8,888 rebate reduces the vehicle price to RM100,000. Based on the official Peninsular Malaysia price list, the promotional on-the-road price without insurance is RM100,800 for private registration.

It uses a 120-KW front-mounted electric motor and a 51.87-kWh LFP battery, offering 471 KM of CLTC range or approximately 380 KM under WLTP testing. Warranty coverage comprises six years with unlimited mileage for the vehicle and eight years with unlimited mileage for the battery or electric powertrain. 

The dashboard combines an 8.8-inch digital driver display with a 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen. Configurable ambient lighting can also synchronise with music playback. 

The centre console provides storage compartments, pull-out cup holders and a 50-W wireless smartphone charger. A column-mounted drive selector helps free up additional space between the front occupants. 

The 8.8-inch digital instrument display presents speed, remaining range, battery condition and driver-assistance information in front of the driver.

Both front seats receive six-way powered adjustment. The driver additionally gains memory, a welcome function and seat ventilation, while vegan-leather upholstery is fitted throughout the cabin.

Its 2,715-MM wheelbase provides useful passenger space for five occupants. The relatively flat rear floor and wide body also improve rear-seat usability for everyday family journeys. 

The two-spoke multifunction steering wheel provides controls for media, calls, driver information and assistance systems. Manual steering-wheel adjustment is fitted. 

Storage is provided through the glovebox, door pockets and centre-console compartments. A hidden area beneath the boot floor adds approximately 72 litres of storage for smaller items or charging equipment. 

Pull-out cup holders are integrated into the front console. Two additional cup recesses are built into the fold-down lower tailgate for outdoor or recreational use.

The cabin includes front and rear USB connections and a 50-W wireless smartphone charger. The Vigo also supports 3.3-KW Vehicle-to-Load operation for powering compatible external equipment.

The light-grey and black interior combines vegan-leather upholstery, ambient lighting and a panoramic glass roof. Its colourful and technology-focused presentation gives the cabin a more distinctive appearance than a conventional compact SUV. 

The split tailgate opens to a 500-litre luggage compartment. Folding the 60:40 rear seats increases the available carrying capacity to approximately 1,040 litres. 

The Vigo measures 4,306 MM long, 1,868 MM wide and 1,654 MM tall, with a 2,715-MM wheelbase. Its dimensions place it within the compact electric SUV segment. 

The front features a largely closed EV fascia, black lower cladding and upright L-shaped lighting elements. Its squared-off styling gives the Vigo a more rugged appearance than many similarly sized electric crossovers.

Its most distinctive feature is the split-opening tailgate, comprising a powered upper section and a fold-down lower panel. The lower section can support up to 150 KG, making it useful as a temporary seat or loading platform. 

Projector LED headlamps are accompanied by inverted L-shaped LED daytime-running lights, dynamic turn indicators and a welcome-light animation. 

LED tail lamps repeat the angular L-shaped graphic used at the front. The two lighting sections are separated slightly at the centre of the tailgate. 

The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and power-folding. Flush-powered door handles further contribute to the Vigo’s clean side profile. 

Disc brakes are fitted at both the front and rear. They are supported by ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist, electronic stability control and regenerative braking. 

The Vigo rides on 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 215/55 R18 tyres. A direct tyre-pressure-monitoring system is fitted as standard. 

Standard active-safety equipment includes ABS, electronic brake-force distribution, Brake Assist, traction control, electronic stability control, Hill-Start Assist and direct tyre-pressure monitoring. 

Six airbags are fitted, comprising front, front-side and curtain protection. The battery is incorporated within Dongfeng’s dedicated S3 electric platform and uses an LFP chemistry designed for improved thermal stability. 

The Malaysian specification does not officially detail named driving modes. Accelerator response and regenerative-braking settings are managed through the vehicle interface.

The 12.8-inch touchscreen supports Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. Most media, connectivity and selected vehicle functions are operated through the central display. 

The Level 2 assistance suite includes adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, forward-collision warning, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assist and Road Traffic Sign Recognition.

A 540-degree panoramic camera and front and rear radar systems assist with parking and low-speed manoeuvres.

A six-speaker audio system is fitted as standard. The ambient lighting can respond to music playback for a more interactive cabin experience.

A single front-mounted permanent-magnet synchronous motor produces 120 KW or 161 PS and 230 NM.

Power is delivered through a single-speed electric reduction drive, providing smooth acceleration without conventional gear changes.

The Vigo uses a front-wheel-drive configuration, with its electric motor powering the front axle exclusively. 

The Vigo accelerates from 0 to 100 KM/H in 9.5 seconds. Its performance is tuned mainly for urban commuting and everyday family use rather than high-speed driving. 

The 51.87-kWh LFP battery provides up to 471 KM under CLTC testing, with the Malaysian model listed at approximately 380 KM WLTP.

Charging supports 6.6-KW AC and up to 167-KW DC. A complete AC charge requires approximately nine hours, while DC charging from 30% to 80% takes around 18 minutes under suitable conditions. A 3.3-KW V2L function is also included.

Convenience equipment includes keyless operation, powered front seats, driver-seat memory, a panoramic glass roof, wireless charging, powered flush door handles and the electrically operated split tailgate. 

Automatic air-conditioning with PM2.5 filtration is standard, together with dedicated rear airflow vents for second-row passengers. 

MacPherson-strut front suspension and a torsion-beam rear arrangement provide a straightforward setup suited to urban and suburban driving. The 215/55 R18 tyres retain sufficient sidewall to help absorb smaller road imperfections. 

The quiet electric drivetrain removes combustion-engine vibration from the cabin. Dongfeng also promotes the Vigo as having a comfort-focused and quiet interior, although extended Malaysian testing would be required to assess tyre and wind noise properly. 

The Dongfeng Vigo offers a spacious cabin, practical 500-litre boot and unusually versatile split tailgate within a compact footprint. Its comprehensive driver-assistance equipment, 167-KW DC charging and current RM100,000 promotional vehicle price give it a competitive specification for the money.

Its limitations include the modest 161-PS output, slow 6.6-KW AC charging and a CLTC range figure that is considerably more optimistic than the WLTP estimate. Brand familiarity and the developing Dongfeng service network may also matter to cautious buyers. Overall, it is a practical electric SUV aimed at value-conscious families rather than performance-focused drivers.