The Dongfeng Vigo: A City SUV with Picnic Capability
The Dongfeng Vigo is a compact-SUV that's been marketed as the country's 'best value EV-SUV'. It's a budget-friendly option, priced at $37,990 (launch offer until April 2026, then $39,990), and it's a fully-featured model. The Vigo is a 5-door compact SUV with a 51.87kWh LFP battery, 120kW of power, and 230Nm of torque. It's a light vehicle, weighing less than 1.6 tonnes, and it can reach 100km/h in 7.8 seconds.
The Vigo's design features an angular body shape and industrial-chic plastic addenda, which could pass for a Kia EV. The end result is a budget EV-SUV that looks pretty cool, with a long wheelbase, minimal overhangs, and some cool retro-futuristic aero covers for the alloy wheels. The Vigo's interior is spacious and clever, with multiple ways to nap in the car, including a reclining front seat that can recline 175 degrees, and a custom mattress that can be added to the rear seats for sleeping in the car.
The Vigo's powertrain is calibrated to deliver its power in a linear way, making it perky around town but not overdone. It's soft and comfortable to drive, with a squishy ride and limited suspension control. However, the adaptive cruise control has its issues, and the lane-keep assist is infuriating on the motorway.
The Vigo is quiet and reasonably stable on the motorway, but it's not a high-speed machine. The chassis doesn't like the open road, and the lane-keep assist is maddening. The Vigo's interior is brilliant, with good quality and nice textures, a logical/simple infotainment OS, and generous occupant space. The boot capacity is 500 litres, and the rear seats can be split and folded for more storage.
The Vigo's warranty and servicing situation is 6 years/200,000km for the car and 8 years/200,000km for the traction battery. Service intervals are 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first. The Vigo's main rivals include the BYD Atto 2, Omoda E5, Jaecoo J5, Toyota Yaris Cross GX, and MG ZS Essence Hybrid+.
In conclusion, the Dongfeng Vigo is a hugely likeable car in some respects, with a blend of budget price and high equipment levels, chunky styling, and a spacious and clever interior. However, it's not a high-speed machine, and the chassis doesn't like the open road. The lane-keep assist is maddening on the motorway, and the adaptive cruise control has its issues. Overall, the Vigo is a city SUV with picnic capability, not a high-speed machine.
