Dayun Yuehu

Model Overview

The Dayun Yuehu is the first all-electric small SUV launched by Dayun Auto in 2020, positioned primarily for urban runabouts and daily short commutes. As Dayun Auto's pioneering passenger car model in its strategic pivot from motorcycles and heavy commercial trucks into the new energy vehicle (NEV) segment, the Yuehu represents the brand's ambitions for corporate restructuring and market expansion. The model covers a broad price spectrum: earlier iterations started from RM66,800, the updated 2022 lineup was tagged between RM71,800 and RM82,800, while the revised post-2024 entry-level variant saw its starting price lowered further to RM56,800. Through several model revisions, updates have mainly focused on extending driving range and optimising equipment levels, firmly cementing its role as an accessible, practical everyday city runabout.

Design Language

In terms of exterior styling, the Dayun Yuehu sports the signature closed-off front grille typical of electric vehicles, paired with trendy split headlamps: LED daytime running lights (DRLs) sit along the bonnet edge, while the main beam units flank the front grille, giving the car a rounded, stout, yet clean and instantly recognisable profile. Along the sides, a continuous shoulder line and black wheel arch claddings are matched with 15-inch alloy wheels to deliver a dynamic stance. At the rear, a full-width tail lamp bar and a black rear bumper add visual depth and width. Dimensionally, the compact crossover measures 3,695 mm long, 1,685 mm wide, and 1,598 mm tall, with a 2,410 mm wheelbase—typical dimensions for a small city runabout. Five trendy body colours are on offer, including Ivory White, Canglang Green, and Yangfei Pink, catering to the individual tastes of younger buyers. Inside, the cabin features a clean and functional layout finished predominantly in black with brushed silver trim inserts, equipped with a 7-inch full digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen, while continuous-style air vents and a rotary gear selector lend a modern high-tech feel.

Powertrain and Performance

The Dayun Yuehu is powered by a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, available in Standard and High-Performance powertrain configurations. The Standard variant uses a front-wheel-drive single-motor setup delivering a maximum output of 35 kW (approx. 48 PS) and 105 Nm of peak torque, tuned specifically for urban commuting; additionally, an early "4WD Pioneer Edition" was introduced, featuring a front and rear dual-motor on-demand all-wheel-drive layout pushing a combined 68 kW and 280 Nm—a rare drivetrain setup among small all-electric SUVs. Battery-wise, the entire lineup is equipped with ternary lithium (NCM) battery packs with capacities ranging from 30.66 kWh to 31.7 kWh, translating to a CLTC-rated range of between 300 km and 330 km to easily cover daily office commutes and weekend suburban trips. For charging, DC fast charging takes 0.9 hours to juice the battery from 20% to 80% SoC, while standard AC charging requires 8 hours. Top speed is rated at 100 km/h, delivering low energy consumption per 100 km.

Chassis and Handling

The chassis setup is arguably the car’s standout selling point. Across the entire range, it comes standard with all-round MacPherson independent suspension (front and rear) fitted with anti-roll bars—an extreme rarity among small electric crossovers in its class, offering natural advantages in ride suppleness and handling stability compared to the torsion beam rear setups commonly found in this bracket. Damping is tuned towards comfort, soaking up minor road vibrations with ease and dealing with speed humps or larger potholes with composed rebound control and no jarring secondary bounces. The electric power steering (EPS) feels light and effortless at low parking speeds while weighting up progressively at pace with decent tracking accuracy. Drive is sent to the front wheels on standard variants, while the previous all-wheel-drive variant offered improved rough-road capability. In terms of drive modes, all variants come standard with three selectable modes—Eco, Comfort, and Sport—to suit varying road conditions. It rides on 175/65 R15 tyres and boasts a fully-laden ground clearance of around 140 mm, ensuring fuss-free clearance on city roads.

Cabin and Equipment

The Dayun Yuehu’s cockpit centres around a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch floating central touchscreen running the proprietary "Dayun Smart Link" infotainment system, which supports Bluetooth connectivity, smartphone screen mirroring, USB inputs, and connected telematics services. Standard equipment across the range includes a reverse camera, cruise control, and Hill-Start Assist, offering decent baseline convenience. For seating, the Luxury variant and above feature faux leather upholstery and support a single-piece folding rear bench to expand boot storage capacity when required. While the air conditioning is manually operated, it features remote pre-cooling capability, allowing owners to pre-condition cabin temperatures via the Dayun Smart Link smartphone app before stepping inside—a thoughtful touch that enhances day-to-day comfort.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Dayun Yuehu is adequately equipped with core safety essentials, coming standard across the range with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), dual front airbags, and ISOFIX child seat anchor points. On the active safety front, tyre pressure monitoring (TPMS), Hill-Start Assist, and a reverse camera come standard, while higher-spec trims add rear parking sensors for added safety and convenience during daily driving. Engineered to conventional passenger car safety standards, the car is not equipped with Level 2 or higher advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS); features such as cruise control remain passive aids that require the driver to maintain full vehicle control at all times. It should be noted that this model has yet to undergo published crash tests from independent third-party safety bodies such as C-NCAP or China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (C-IASI).

Market Performance and Reception

As the core volume driver of the brand's electric passenger car portfolio, the Dayun Yuehu accounts for a significant portion of internal sales, recording total deliveries of around 17,000 units in 2024, ranking 147th overall in China's domestic SUV market and capturing a 2.28% share of the small SUV segment. From January to August 2025, cumulative sales reached 8,802 units, making up over 60% of Dayun Auto's total passenger car sales, though representing just 0.13% of the wider SUV segment. Feedback from owners has been largely positive regarding the Yuehu's nimble city manoeuvrability, the superior ride comfort afforded by its four-wheel independent suspension, pocket-friendly running costs, and the handy remote air-conditioning function. However, common pain points remain: sales and after-sales service centres are sparse and unevenly distributed, making vehicle servicing and maintenance inconvenient; brand awareness is relatively low compared to mainstream competitors; motor power feels limited during high-speed overtaking manoeuvres, and driving range drops noticeably in cold weather. Overall, with an accessible starting price in the RM50,000 bracket, unexpected all-round independent suspension, and segment-straddling perks like app-based remote controls, the Yuehu offers a differentiated value proposition in the entry-level small EV market, laying an essential foundation for Dayun Auto's early NEV footprint, even if sales network reach and brand equity remain the main bottlenecks to broader market expansion.