mReview: Dongfeng Vigo – Ticks All The Right Boxes
The Dongfeng Vigo is the only SUV the Chinese brand currently sells in Singapore, but does it carry on the charm of the much-loved Box?
My first introduction to the Dongfeng brand was with the adorable and accessible Box, which has become quite popular with local car buyers, to the point that it earned the title of best-selling electric hatchback.
So when Dongfeng announced the new Vigo, I was intrigued to see if size really doesn’t matter when it comes to the appeal of their latest model.
Size-wise, the Vigo is around 30cm longer, around 5cm wider, and around 10cm taller than the Box, but that’s to be expected, considering the Vigo is an SUV. Although any car compared to the Box looks large, the Vigo is still on the more modest end of the scale when it comes to size, though it hasn’t hampered the vehicle's functionality at all.
The Vigo's boot has an adjustable load floor and a split tailgate you can sit on for a picnic or a drink.
As an SUV, the Vigo is much more practical than the Box when it comes to carrying capacity. The Vigo has 500 litres of boot space compared to the Box’s 326 litres, and there’s even a Range Rover-style split rear tailgate on the Vigo complete with cup holders so you can chill out back there.
This rather fetching paint job is named Canyon Orange, one of six colour options available for the Vigo.
Additionally, thanks to the Vigo’s minimal front and rear overhangs, cabin space has been maximised. The second row is surprisingly roomy, with plenty of knee and headroom even for taller folks. Vegan leather upholstery covers all of the seats and is, as always, indistinguishable from regular leather.
Up front, the cabin is airy and spacious, with a similar interior layout as the Box. The steering wheel is a two-spoke, multifunction affair with physical buttons for adjusting various settings and features. The dashboard is dominated by the main 12.8-inch infotainment display, which houses all of the Vigo’s functions.
The Vigo comes standard with these rather interestingly designed 18-inch rims, one of the more distinctive styling cues on the car.
Speaking of functions, the Vigo comes standard with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a wireless charger for your smartphone. Both front seats are electrically operated, though only the driver gets the ventilated seat. Adaptive cruise control and a 540° surround-view camera are also standard equipment.
On the move, the Vigo is equally as unassuming and inoffensive as it is when stationary. Propulsion is provided by a single electric motor on the front axle, producing a Cat A COE-friendly 99kW (135hp) and a gutsy 230Nm of torque.
The Vigo accelerates from nought to 100km/h in a gentle 9.5 seconds, not overly quick but more than enough for our Singapore streets. What’s more suitably zippy is the Vigo’s ability to recharge at up to 167kW on a suitable DC fast charger, incredibly useful when you need to juice up. Though with up to 471km of range from a full charge of its 51.87kWh battery, you shouldn’t have to worry about charging too often.
Who doesn't like a big glass roof?
The Vigo is as easy to drive as they come, with its friendly size, high seating position, and excellent outward visibility. The steering and pedals are also all light and easy to operate, perfect for a city runabout.
While it might not have the out-and-out charm of the Box, the Dongfeng Vigo still carries with it the approachability and ease of use that the Box had, qualities that I’m sure prospective buyers will be on the hunt for.
| Dongfeng Vigo | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price (at time of publishing): $192,888 including COE | VES Band: A | |
Motor: Single electric motor |
Charging Rate: 167 kW DC, 6.6 kW AC |
Power & Torque: 99 kW (135 hp) & 230 Nm |
Transmission: Single-speed |
Driven Wheels: Front |
Consumption & Range: 17.5 kWh/100km & 471 km (WLTP combined cycle) |
0-100 km/h: 9.5 seconds |
Top Speed: 150 km/h |
Battery Capacity: 51.87 kWh |
|
Dimensions (L x W x H):
4,306 mm x 1,868 mm
x 1.654 mm |
Wheelbase: 2,715 mm
|
Cargo Capacity: 500 litres |
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