The Dongfeng Fengon E3 is a new energy B-segment crossover introduced under DFSK's Fengon passenger car brand. Officially launched in 2019, it was one of the brand's early entries into the new energy vehicle (NEV) market. The crossover is offered in two powertrain choices: pure electric (EV) and range-extender electric (EVR) , with the former tailored for zero-emission urban commuting and the latter marketed on 'zero range anxiety' to cover both daily drives and long-distance travel. Official retail pricing ranged from RM129,800 to RM159,800 (2019 model year), positioning it in the entry-to-mid-range new energy family SUV segment. Spurred by domestic NEV subsidies and purchase tax exemption policies, the Fengon E3—backed by an extensive 10-year or 150,000 km traction battery warranty—was once seen as a practical, economical option for value-conscious family buyers.
Styling-wise, the Fengon E3 retains the overall silhouette of its petrol-powered sibling while incorporating distinct accents to highlight its electrified identity. Up front, it features a three-bar horizontal chrome grille flanked by eagle-eye headlamps, complemented by blue trim along the lower front lip denoting its NEV credentials. The side profile sports a floating roof aesthetic paired with petal-style alloy wheels, delivering an understated, family-friendly look rather than an aggressively sporty design.
In terms of dimensions, the Fengon E3 measures 4,385 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width, and 1,650 mm in height, with a 2,655 mm wheelbase in a 5-door, 5-seater layout. Its 1,850 mm width gives it a competitive edge in the compact SUV segment, while a completely flat rear floor improves middle-passenger comfort and cabin practicality. Laden ground clearance stands at 180 mm, adequately handling everyday urban and suburban road conditions.
Inside, the Fengon E3 features a clean, straightforward dashboard layout, with the centre stack slightly angled towards the driver for better ergonomics. Practical materials dominate the cabin, accented by subtle chrome garnishes to elevate perceived quality. The seats are wrapped in leatherette, and rear legroom remains decent courtesy of the flat floor design, comfortably fulfilling daily family transport duties.
The defining technical highlight of the Fengon E3 is its dual powertrain lineup, offering pure electric (EV) and range-extender electric (EVR) configurations.
The pure electric (EV) variant is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 120 kW (approx. 163 PS) and 300 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in roughly 9.5 seconds. Power delivery is linear, offering punchier step-off acceleration compared to traditional petrol-powered rivals in its class. Energy is supplied by a 53.6 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, delivering an NEDC-rated range of 405 km. Via DC fast charging, a 20% to 80% state of charge (SoC) takes 30 minutes, whereas standard AC charging requires around 8 hours.
The range-extender (EVR) variant combines a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine (producing 84 PS and acting strictly as a generator) with a 120 kW electric drive motor. With a charged battery, the EVR runs primarily in EV mode, providing a pure electric range of 100 km. Once the battery drops to a predetermined threshold, the range extender fires up automatically to supply electricity, pushing the total cruising range beyond 600 km. In charge-sustaining mode, fuel consumption is rated at around 6.5 L/100 km, which was on par with contemporary REEV models of its era.
The entire lineup is paired with a single-speed reduction gearbox in a front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup, ensuring seamless and direct power delivery.
Underneath, the Fengon E3 employs a front MacPherson strut and rear torsion beam suspension setup—a standard configuration in the B-segment crossover segment. The compact front setup suits the front-drive packaging, while the rear torsion beam balances manufacturing costs with baseline ride comfort for city commuting. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid discs, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). It rides on 225/55 R18 tyres, offering adequate road grip and cruising stability.
The electric power steering (EPS) is lightly weighted, making low-speed manoeuvres and tight parking hassle-free. The suspension is biased towards comfort, absorbing minor road imperfections well, though the rear can feel bouncy over successive crests or sharper potholes. Overall handling is predictable and unpretentious, geared strictly towards daily city driving.
On the tech front, the Fengon E3 gets an 8.8-inch floating infotainment touchscreen supporting GPS navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, Baidu CarLife smartphone mirroring, and voice control. An 8.8-inch fully digital instrument cluster displays vital driving metrics, including range, energy consumption, and drive modes. Top-spec variants gain a 360-degree surround-view camera system to assist in tight parking spots.
The five-seater cabin comes with leatherette upholstery and a power-adjustable driver’s seat. The 60:40 split-folding rear bench expands boot space when needed. Amenities include automatic climate control, a rear centre armrest, an ambient temperature readout, and full-LED headlamps. Audio is piped through a standard 6-speaker sound system. The equipment list covers all the essentials for daily family use without venturing into luxury territory.
In terms of safety, the Fengon E3 comes standard with dual front airbags, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), reverse parking sensors, and a reverse camera. Higher-spec grades add front side airbags and front/rear curtain airbags for enhanced passive safety, with the EVR version also equipped with side curtain airbags. A 360-degree camera is also available on higher trims for easier manoeuvring. However, the model launched without Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), offering only basic cruise control.
Based on long-term ownership feedback, the Fengon E3 has faced several quality and reliability complaints, including throttle pedal vibration, range-extender engagement failures, air-con compressor electrical leakage, and startup noises. On consumer platforms such as CheZhiWang (12365auto), complaints were notably concentrated on the 2019 model year, highlighting room for improvement in early batch build quality and reliability control.
Market reception for the Fengon E3 has been lacklustre. In 2025, the model recorded just 390 units sold throughout the year, with monthly sales dropping to a dismal four units, placing it near the absolute bottom of China's SUV sales charts. In March 2025, the EVR variant shifted only 21 units, while February 2025 recorded zero sales. Despite being an early pioneer attempting to trade price for volume in the domestic NEV market, the Fengon E3 failed to gain significant commercial traction.
On the ground, owner praise has focused on its purchase tax exemption, accessible pricing, and punchy low-end response, with drivers appreciating its immediate torque delivery. Its clean exterior styling and decent interior room also earned positive remarks. However, its drawbacks proved fatal: its electric range quickly became obsolete amid rapid industry advancements, smart tech was sparse, and recurring quality issues damaged buyer confidence. By 2026, competing in the fiercely contested RM100,000 to RM150,000 electric SUV arena against heavyweights like the BYD Yuan Plus and GAC Aion Y, the Fengon E3 has fallen far behind in brand appeal and product substance, effectively bowing out of mainstream contention.
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