The new energy vehicle market is heating up. Dongfeng Group shifts its strategy to the new energy sector. Brands like Dongfeng Lantu, Dongfeng Mengshi, and Dongfeng Yipai showcase unique new energy products. Dongfeng Fengxing follows its own path: “affordable and practical.” I had the opportunity to test drive Dongfeng Fengxing’s first pure electric sedan, the Xinghai S7, in Liuzhou. Here’s my experience. We tested at the Liuzhou Automotive Testing Ground. This site features a compact road layout and high integration of road functions. It supports both commercial and passenger vehicle development tests. We thoroughly experienced the Xinghai S7’s performance. We focused on five main tests: 0-100 km/h acceleration, S-bend, reverse sharp turn, bumpy road, and gravel road.
Start at the starting point and enter the S-curve directly. The advantage of the five-link rear suspension shows instantly. It has strong tracking and grip. The car maintains stability while cornering at high speeds. Body roll stays minimal. Each wheel moves independently, making the vehicle very agile during turns. The steering wheel offers precise direction, and the chassis tuning adds resilience. The handling feels excellent. Before entering the straight stretch, switch the driving mode to Sport+. This adds an interesting feature. In addition to the traditional Sport mode, there is now a Sport+ mode.
The Mach-E accelerates faster than sport mode. The electric car’s advantages multiply with the Mach-E power. Press the accelerator, and it moves instantly. No delay. The official 0-100 km/h time is 6.67 seconds. Real tests show it can go under 7 seconds. It’s currently the best in its class for acceleration. For comparison, the Xpeng MONA M03 has a 0-100 time of 7.8 seconds. The numbers are close, but the driving experience differs significantly. It’s fast, but not jerky. You feel no discomfort. The linear response is fantastic. Once you drive an electric car, you won’t want to go back to gas. The next reverse turn is easy. With a minimum turning radius of 5.45 meters, it handles the track smoothly. It also maneuvers through narrow streets with ease. During the slalom test, it drifts effortlessly. The stability is impressive. For just over 100,000, the driving fun is great. Finally, I drove on gravel and bumpy roads at the maximum speed of 60 km/h. The surface felt uneven, but the chassis remained tight. It didn’t feel loose. The vibrations and impacts from the suspension and tires were within an acceptable range. The dampening was excellent. There was no noticeable shaking inside or outside the car. The thick windows helped reduce tire noise, making it better than the Xpeng MONA M03. In similar conditions, the 19-inch tires in the Xpeng felt like riding a train.
Overall, the performance impresses. The car feels comfortable and handles well. I can’t help but want to keep driving. It gives me confidence behind the wheel. Although it exceeds 4.9 meters in length, its handling surpasses my expectations for this class. As a rare rear-wheel-drive vehicle, it excels in driving enjoyment. After completing the test track, I chose a casual route. This included city roads, riverside roads, and curves. Driving in the city felt smooth and enjoyable. The energy consumption stands at only 11.9 kWh per 100 km, setting a record for mid-to-large electric vehicles. It offers a range of 555 km, the longest in its class, with real-world range tests meeting expectations. It also supports fast charging: 26 minutes to charge from 30% to 80%.
This September, the Xinghai S7 launched with a stir. Its starting price is 119,800 yuan (16810$). It features a single motor, rear-wheel drive, and a rear five-link suspension. It also includes L2 smart driving. This pricing puts pressure on the newly launched Xiaopeng MONA M03. However, the Xinghai S7 offers more than just this. Though it targets family use, its design appeals to a younger audience. The aesthetics flow smoothly. It features a pair of “7” shaped headlights and a sleek air intake below. The visual effect impresses.
The car measures 4935×1915×1495mm with a wheelbase of 2915mm, reaching mainstream standards for mid-to-large sedans. Its larger size gives it smoother lines compared to the Xiaopeng MONA M03. It features hidden door handles and frameless doors, enhancing its aesthetic appeal. The car boasts a golden ratio of 0.618 and sets a new record for the lowest drag coefficient in mass production at 0.191Cd. This results in lower operating costs and reduced wind noise. Compared to the MONA M03, it is larger yet has a lower drag coefficient, which is impressive.
The car features a large hatchback. It has a fully opening rear door. The rear seats fold down to create 1303 liters of space. The depth reaches 1942 mm. It offers nearly a 2-meter bed for storage. Toys, family luggage, and large items fit easily.
After opening the cover, you find a 115L storage space. It holds more luggage. The front also has a trunk. You can easily store items for daily use. For a coupe priced just over 100,000, this space is impressive.
The car offers ample storage with 27 compartments. You can fit all sorts of items inside. The interior features a beautiful off-white color. Its simple style has minimal lines. Everything looks clean and neat. It has a central control screen and a display. The design includes a gear lever that frees up space in the front row. It has a 50W wireless charging pad and two cup holders. The door handles and window buttons are traditional mechanical types. They prevent accidental touches. This design receives positive feedback.
The seat comfort stands out. The cloud-patterned seat uses 20mm high-density rebound sponge. It offers just the right elasticity. Your body relaxes instantly. The sleep-like headrest features a wide surface. The side wings extend slightly forward. No matter how you turn your head, your head and neck receive optimal support. Overall comfort skyrockets!
The basic configuration is sufficient. It includes a car networking system and a rich set of vehicle functions. It uses the Xinghai OS. The smart voice assistant can handle continuous conversations for up to 120 seconds and recognizes 23 dialects. The driver has a dedicated FaceID. The car also offers keyless entry and a heat pump air conditioner. You can control the car remotely through a dedicated smart app. Daily driving needs are fully met. Additionally, it comes with a standard 3.3 kW external discharge, perfectly solving power issues for outings.
The 1.9㎡ panoramic sunroof inside the car blocks heat and looks stunning. On sunny days in Liuzhou, the cabin feels like a moving “sunroom.” A special heat-insulating coating acts like sunscreen for the roof. Women can enjoy the ride without worrying about getting tanned.
Space is crucial for a family sedan. The Xinghai S7 does not disappoint in this area. With a wheelbase of 2915mm, the rear space is quite spacious. There is ample headroom and legroom. The backrest angle is fixed, but the tilt is reasonable. It doesn’t feel like sitting on a small stool. The only downside is the slightly narrow seat cushion, which offers average leg support.
The Star Sea S7 achieves IP68 waterproofing. It can withstand 50 hours underwater at 1 meter without failure, exceeding the national standard by half an hour. In a 270mm deep environment, the vehicle remains operational while submerged. It can last at least 7 days without failure.
The IP67-rated electric vehicle can handle general water accumulation. The IP68 rating offers even more confidence and durability. In heavy rain or unexpected deep water, the Xinghai S7 maintains stable operation. It withstands harsh conditions. The vehicle features both active and passive safety. The Xinghai Pilot smart driving assistance system includes over 12 intelligent functions. It offers collision warnings, lane departure assistance, adaptive cruise control, and lane keeping. Long drives become easier, freeing your hands and feet.
The vehicle has six airbags and a robust safety body. It uses advanced materials like high-strength steel and aluminum alloy. This design ensures a stable, solid, and safe structure. It also reduces the vehicle’s weight and significantly lowers energy consumption.
The Xinghai S7 offers high cost-performance. In the 120,000 yuan (16840$) range, few electric hatchbacks exist. Only this model exceeds 4.9 meters and provides such handling. Do you find this cost-performance satisfactory? At just over 100,000 yuan (14030$), if you had to choose between it and the Xiaopeng MONA M03, which one would you pick?