On January 31, the RuiFeng RF8 was officially launched, offering a variety of configurations including three front-end styles, a 1.5T hybrid model, and a 2.0T gasoline model, with prices ranging from 169,900 to 239,900 yuan (33360$). The Hongmeng version is also available for pre-sale, with prices ranging from 209,900 to 259,900 yuan (36140$). We took the RuiFeng RF8 PHEV for a test drive to experience its technological charm up close as it hits the market.
In terms of appearance, the Rui Feng RF8 PHEV will offer a variety of front face designs, including dragon scale, sky, blue cloud, and shining dragon scale. The model we test drove today is the dragon scale version. The area of the entire front grille is very large, with numerous chrome decorations on top, creating a staggered feeling. The high-gloss black base color also gives the entire car a more luxurious atmosphere.
The integrated light group is very recognizable. When unlocking the vehicle or waiting for parking, the daytime running light group will start the welcome mode, and the flowing light language has a strong sense of technology. The shape of the headlight group is practical, with just the right overall area, making the entire front face look more atmospheric and divine. The use of chrome decorative strips is also common in MPV models.
In terms of body size, the Rui Feng RF8 PHEV measures 5215x1895x1830mm in length, width, and height, with a wheelbase of 3100mm, positioning it as a mid-to-large-sized MPV. The overall side profile is very sleek, with the use of chrome trim adding depth to the entire side profile. The new car’s second and third rows both feature privacy glass design, which is also a design used in many MPV models today.
The Rui Feng RF8 PHEV will use 18-inch wheels and adopt a dual-color whirlwind-style design, which is very sporty. It is matched with Michelin 225/55 R18 tires, which can effectively increase the vehicle’s passability and comfort, while also reducing the cost of tire use, making it a high cost-effective choice for MPV models.
Like many other MPVs, the Rui Feng RF8 PHEV also adopts a streamlined door handle design, reducing wind resistance and adding to the overall aesthetic. The button on the front door handle is a keyless entry button for opening and locking the door, while the two buttons on the rear door are quick open buttons, allowing the elegant opening and closing of the second-row electric sliding doors.
The design of the rear of the car is quite ordinary, without too much eye-catching styling, but every part of the design is very practical and durable. The new car will use a through-type taillight design and support the welcome light function, which can complement the through-type headlight group, and the electric tailgate is also essential.
In terms of interior design, the new car will offer two options: the Zhiling Intelligent Cockpit and the Hongmeng Intelligent Cockpit. The PHEV model we test drove today is equipped with the Zhiling Intelligent Cockpit. The interior design is more youthful and stylish, and the wrap-around layout makes it look more like an SUV. The blue and white color scheme also makes the whole car look more fashionable.
The four-spoke steering wheel has a very good feel, and the physical buttons on it are easy to operate after a little familiarization, which is really practical and convenient. The overall color scheme of the steering wheel is black and silver, which I think is a bit understated. If some blue and white elements could be added, the overall sense and luxury feeling would be even higher.
The Zhiling intelligent cockpit features a dual 12.3-inch joint screen design, widely recognized by many consumers. The dashboard of the Ruifeng RF8 PHEV looks neat and tidy, with a design style inspired by traditional Chinese landscape ink paintings, showcasing the vehicle’s precise control over national elements. The display information on the dashboard is comprehensive, including vehicle speed, range, power output, gear position, and driving mode, making it easy for the driver to observe in real time.
The central control screen is also a 12.3-inch design, integrating many vehicle control functions, supporting mobile phone interconnection, online navigation, online entertainment, OTA upgrades, app downloads, remote control, voice interaction, and other functions. The overall operation is smooth, and the voice system is convenient to use, supporting multiple voice controls and intermittent control.
The new car will offer economic, standard, sport, and snow driving modes, and the vehicle’s power steering can also be customized to meet individual preferences, satisfying different consumer needs. In addition, the vehicle’s dashboard, central control screen wallpaper, standby screen, etc. can all be changed by the user, bringing more personalization and playability to the vehicle.
Compared to other car companies that are eliminating physical buttons, the Rui Feng RF8 PHEV retains physical buttons. Below the central control screen is the vehicle’s air conditioning control panel, where you can fully control the air conditioning, including adjusting the temperature, air volume, and air outlet position. In my personal opinion, this is more practical.
The vehicle model does not use a manual gear design, and also retains the electronic gear lever in the central channel position, and the gear lever is designed in a crystal style, with a landscape pattern inside, which fully reflects the luxury and atmosphere. Because of the use of electronic gear lever, the central channel can be designed as a double-layer style, effectively increasing the vehicle’s storage space.
And behind the shifting area, there is also a control area, mainly for controlling the vehicle’s driving mode selection, opening and closing of the left and right electric sliding doors, entertainment system volume, and vehicle driving mode. The overall design is simple and easy to understand, and each function is clearly labeled, making it easy to use even for first-time users of this model.
The final position of the central passage is divided into three areas. The top cover plate houses the cigarette lighter interface, the middle position hides a cup holder, and the bottom is a pull-out drawer for passenger convenience. Perhaps because the test drive model we tried today is not the top-of-the-line version, features such as a refrigerator and power interface did not appear on the test drive model.
The seats of the Roewe RF8 PHEV also use dual-tone colors, the blue and white combination looks very nice, and the feel and comfort of sitting is also very high. The driver’s seat provides electric adjustment, seat ventilation, heating and other functions, but the passenger side does not provide these features, which is a bit embarrassing, after all, at this price point, the competition is all about the equipment.
The second row of seats is configured much higher, with both seats equipped with functions such as seat heating, ventilation, lumbar adjustment, and leg rest adjustment. However, the front and rear adjustment of the seats is done manually. The distance between the two seats in the middle aisle is still relatively large, allowing easy passage for an adult. In addition, the rear of this model also has a separate air conditioning control panel, which can control the air conditioning, seats, and sunshade for the sunroof.
The second row of this model does not have small tables or charging ports on the seats. However, the doors on both sides are electric and there is a large armrest designed on the B-pillar, where the buttons for the electric doors are also located. It is very convenient to use in daily life.
The third row seats still have plenty of space, even with an adult sitting in the back, there is no feeling of crowding, and there is still some leftover leg and head space. The third row seats support multi-angle adjustment of the backrest, and the seats can be folded and slid in a 4/6 ratio, effectively increasing the vehicle’s trunk space.
The trunk space of the RuiFeng RF8 PHEV is quite spacious. Our daily luggage can be easily accommodated, and the third-row seats can also be moved back and forth to increase the storage capacity of the entire trunk. The seat back can be completely folded down, but the seats cannot be stored away.
In terms of power, the Ruifeng RF8 PHEV is equipped with a 1.5T+3DHT combination, which can achieve three-engine and four-mode electric drive, including three-engine mode, extended range mode, pure electric mode, and series mode. The system has a maximum comprehensive power of 310kW, a maximum comprehensive torque of 745N·m, a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.3s, and a maximum pure electric range of up to 252km, with a comprehensive range of 1250km.
When we use the EV mode or HEV mode, the vehicle’s starting performance is very smooth and comfortable, the response time of the accelerator pedal is fast, and the power output of the vehicle is completely sufficient. Even when overtaking at medium and high speeds, the vehicle can instantly burst with powerful performance. In addition, the new car will provide three driving modes, and the changes between each mode are quite noticeable, especially in sport mode, the vehicle will have a noticeable push-back feeling.
And in terms of suspension, the overall performance of the vehicle is also quite satisfactory to us, whether it is quickly passing through bumpy road sections or slowly passing over speed bumps, the suspension can absorb the vibrations from the road surface very well, and the occupants in the vehicle do not feel too much bumpiness overall. The suspension tuning is generally comfortable, but does not give a floaty feeling, the overall feeling is still very solid.
In terms of quietness, the RuiFeng RF8 PHEV is very well controlled. During low-speed driving, we cannot hear any noise in the car, including wind noise, tire noise, and chassis noise, all of which are well isolated outside the car. And during high-speed driving, there will be very subtle wind noise at the A-pillar position, but it is completely within an acceptable range. And because Michelin tires are used, there is also no tire noise during high-speed driving.
The new car will offer an L2+ level intelligent driving system, including high-speed navigation, automatic lane changing assistance, forward collision warning, and other functions to effectively enhance safety and comfort while driving. The car also comes standard with 6 side airbags and 4 airbags for the driver and front passenger, as well as 360° panoramic imaging and 540° transparent chassis, all of which are also standard across the entire lineup.
Summary: The Rui Feng RF8 PHEV has officially launched. As a “new” MPV model, it not only draws on the advantages of its predecessors but also offers four exterior designs, two interior options, multiple seating layouts, and two power configurations, providing consumers with more choices. So, will friends who want to drive home for the Chinese New Year consider this diverse MPV model?