The Fengon ix5 is the first smart coupe-SUV launched by DFSK's Fengon brand back in 2018, marking the dawn of the marque's 'Product 3.0' smart era. Jointly developed with Baidu, the model blends the athletic silhouette of a coupe with the practical cabin space of an SUV, carrying an official price tag ranging from RM99,800 to RM149,800. Positioned as a crucial strategic model to elevate the brand's market standing, the ix5 represents Fengon's highest benchmark yet in terms of exterior styling, connected technology, and powertrain engineering.
The Fengon ix5 takes its styling cues from the concept of "Life Spirituality", characterised by fluid yet muscular body lines. Its standout feature is the sloping fastback roofline, which sweeps naturally from the B-pillar down towards the tailgate; together with the signature dual waistlines, it shatters the conventional boxy SUV silhouette. Up front, two distinct grille designs are offered: a full-width horizontal bar grille and a starry dot-matrix pattern. The former delivers a planted, wide-body look, while the latter exudes a sleeker, more sophisticated vibe, seamlessly merging into the full-LED headlight clusters with slim fog lamps tucked below. The rear end gets a trendy full-width LED taillight cluster, complemented by protective black plastic cladding and 19-inch alloy wheels that accentuate its athletic crossover stance.
Inside, the Fengon ix5 opts for a youthful, high-tech aesthetic. The wraparound cockpit features generous soft-touch padding across the dashboard and centre console, accented with piano black trims and silver metallic highlights for a level of tactile refinement far exceeding the brand's earlier offerings. A flat-bottom three-spoke multi-function steering wheel and an aircraft-style electronic gear selector further amplify the cabin's sporty cockpit feel. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 4,685 mm in length, 1,865 mm in width, and 1,645 mm in height, with a generous 2,790 mm wheelbase, giving it a noticeable cabin space advantage over competing coupe-SUVs in its class.
The Fengon ix5 lineup is powered exclusively by turbocharged engines, offering multiple output levels to cater to different driving preferences. The entry-level 220T variant is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine with multi-point fuel injection, producing 110 kW (around 150 PS) and 220 Nm of peak torque. The mainstream 280TGDI variant steps up to a 1.5-litre direct-injection turbo unit delivering 132 kW (approx. 180 PS) and 270 Nm of torque; built entirely from lightweight aluminium alloy, this engine balances punchy output with frugal fuel economy and was crowned one of the 2018 "China Heart" Top Ten Engines. The range-topping 360TGDI variant packs a potent 2.0-litre TGDI engine churning out 170 kW (roughly 231 PS) and 355 Nm of torque, ranking among the best in its segment. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual, a CVT automatic, and a 6-speed torque-converter automatic, with power routed exclusively to the front wheels (FWD).
Under the skin, all variants come standard with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link independent setup at the rear—a rare fully independent suspension configuration at this price point. Chassis tuning leans towards a firmer, sportier ride; the setup effectively soaks up road chatter while delivering robust lateral support with commendable body-roll control through corners. Steering is handled by an electric power steering (EPS) rack with a light, effortless action suited for city driving, while braking duties are handled by ventilated front discs and solid rear discs paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) and 235/50 R18 tyres for stable cruising. Overall, the well-sorted chassis balances daily ride comfort with a modest dose of driving engagement.
In the infotainment department, the Fengon ix5 boasts an "aviation-grade wraparound digital cockpit" concept, highlighted by a triple-screen interface comprising a 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen, and a dedicated touch panel for the air-conditioning system. The main screen runs the latest Lin OS 4.0 smart connectivity system, jointly developed with Baidu, enabling voice commands for the power windows, panoramic sunroof, and seat heaters, alongside online navigation, music streaming, weather forecasts, and convoy grouping functions for an all-round connected experience. On top of that, the system supports Over-The-Air (OTA) updates for continuous feature enhancements over time. Facial recognition tech is also built-in, with the manufacturer claiming an impressive accuracy rate of 99.77%.
When it comes to comfort and convenience, standard kit across the ix5 range includes a multi-function steering wheel, leatherette upholstery, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, and keyless entry with push-start button. Higher-tier variants add a panoramic glass roof, a powered bootlid, and a hands-free smart kick-sensor tailgate. The rear bench features split-folding seatbacks to expand boot capacity for versatile cargo hauling.
On the safety front, the Fengon ix5 comes standard with essential passive and active aids like rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, and Hill Start Assist. In terms of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the ix5 is equipped with a comprehensive safety suite, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Highway Assist (HWA), Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), and Lane Departure Warning (LDW). A 360-degree surround-view parking camera system is also on hand to take the stress out of manoeuvring in tight spots. Selected top-spec variants further gain semi-autonomous Auto Parking Assist and Hill Descent Control (HDC). Passive safety is well-covered with up to 8 airbags protecting all occupants. Additionally, the crossover integrates driver fatigue monitoring and immersive augmented reality (AR) navigation, further boosting driving safety and journey convenience.
Since its debut in 2018, the Fengon ix5's commercial journey has shifted from an enthusiastic initial reception to a noticeable slump in its later lifecycle. As Fengon's maiden coupe-SUV offering, it initially drew healthy market interest thanks to its avant-garde styling and Baidu-backed smart connectivity. However, as segment competition intensified, sales suffered a protracted decline. Industry data reveals that across the entire year of 2025, cumulative sales of the Fengon ix5 amounted to just 3 units, with monthly figures occasionally hitting absolute zero. The first four months of 2025 similarly yielded only 3 deliveries, representing a negligible fraction of Fengon's total brand volume. By 2026, the model had virtually bowed out of mainstream market contention.
In terms of owner feedback, praised aspects of the Fengon ix5 centre on its striking exterior styling, feature-packed digital cabin, and sophisticated suspension hardware. Its coupe-SUV profile offered distinctive road presence at its price band. Conversely, common complaints revolve around weak brand prestige, mediocre secondhand resale value, and niggling minor faults during ownership. A number of owners noted that long-term build quality and reliability left room for improvement. By 2026, within the competitive RM100,000 to RM150,000 Chinese domestic SUV market, the ix5 faced overwhelming pressure from heavyweights like the Changan CS85 COUPE and Haval F7x, ultimately losing its competitive edge.
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