Dongfeng Fengguang Mini EV

The Dongfeng Fengguang MINIEV is an all-electric micro-hatchback rolled out under DFSK's Dongfeng Fengguang marque, making its official market debut in March 2022. Following in the footsteps of the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV and Chery QQ Ice Cream, this city runabout entered China's booming A00-segment EV space, tailored specifically for short urban commutes. The lineup features the "Candy" series with three CLTC pure electric range options—120 km, 180 km, and 220 km—spanning seven distinct variants: Bubble Gum, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Soft Candy, Hard Candy, Low Sugar, and Full Sugar. Priced between RM28,600 and RM59,100, the model hinges on a value-led formula: rock-bottom pricing, a rear-wheel-drive layout, and nimble town-driving capabilities.

Design Language

Sporting the classic upright, boxy profile typical of micro-EVs, the Dongfeng Fengguang MINIEV carries rugged design cues that echo rivals like the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV and Chery QQ Ice Cream, while retaining its own brand character through distinctive details. Up front, a blanked-off grille links the angular halogen headlamps via a full-width black panel, concealing the charging port neatly behind the centre badge. Down below, the bumper houses a trapezoidal intake trimmed with a "smiling" black garnish, lending the front fascia an approachable, chirpy look. Down the flanks, its squarish silhouette is enhanced by a two-tone paint scheme, black wing mirror caps, and aero-optimised wheel covers that inject a playful, modern flair. Dimension-wise, the 3-door, 4-seater runabout measures 2,995 mm in length, 1,495 mm in width, and 1,640 mm in height, riding on a 1,960 mm wheelbase with a fully laden ground clearance of 135 mm. The rear end opts for a clean, horizontally split aesthetic that mirrors the front cluster design, rounded off with gloss-black trim at the lower apron. Step inside, and you are greeted by a neat, two-tone minimalist dashboard, highlighted by snowflake-inspired air vents and subtle geometric patterns etched across the centre console.

Powertrain & Performance

Powering the Fengguang MINIEV is a rear-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor offered in two states of tune: the standard variant puts out 25 kW (34 PS) and 100 Nm of torque, while the range-topping Full Sugar variant bumps output to 30 kW (41 PS). Both are paired with a single-speed direct-drive reduction transmission that sends drive to the rear wheels (RWD), delivering a top speed of 100 km/h. Energy is supplied by a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack sourced from either Gotion High-tech or CATL, available in capacities of 9.18 kWh, 13.8 kWh, and an undisclosed size for the longest-range model, yielding CLTC-rated ranges of 120 km, 180 km, and 220 km respectively. Rated energy consumption sits between 8.8 and 10 kWh/100 km. When it comes to juicing up, the car relies solely on AC slow charging—taking 5 hours for the 120 km variant, 6.5 hours for the 180 km variant, and 7.5 hours for the 220 km variant—with no DC fast charging available across the range.

Chassis & Handling

Under the skin, the Fengguang MINIEV uses a monocoque chassis with an unconventional rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive (RR) setup for its class. The suspension comprises MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link non-independent rear axle. Braking duties are handled by solid discs at the front and drums at the rear, coupled with a conventional manual handbrake. Steering is taken care of by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, while 145/70 R12 tyres wrap around basic steel wheels, with no spare tyre provided. Drivers can switch between Sport and Eco drive modes, with Hill Start Assist and regenerative braking fitted as standard. Tuned primarily for low-speed urban jaunts, the RWD setup grants it decent dartiness in tight traffic, though ride pliancy over broken tarmac is understandably compromised by the stubby wheelbase and rudimentary suspension setup.

Cabin & Equipment

Equipment levels vary considerably across the trim hierarchy. A digital instrument display—measuring either 4 inches or 7 inches depending on the variant—is standard throughout. The base Bubble Gum spec makes do without an infotainment screen, whereas mid-to-high variants gain a reverse camera (displayed on the digital rear-view mirror or a dedicated screen); large central touchscreens are absent entirely across the range. Basic media connectivity covers Bluetooth hands-free and a USB port. A clean rotary drive selector is mounted between the seats. Seats are upholstered in utilitarian fabric on entry trims, while the flagship Full Sugar trim upgrades to leatherette; the split-folding rear bench can be stowed to open up a maximum cargo capacity of 843 litres. Comfort conveniences include standard manual air-conditioning, power windows (front power, rear manual), remote keyless entry, and central locking. Higher variants tack on a multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, powered wing mirrors, and a driver's vanity mirror.

Safety & Driver Assistance

On the safety front, all variants get the statutory essentials: Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), a tyre pressure monitoring alert, ISOFIX child seat tethers, and Hill Start Assist. However, passive safety is strictly bare-bones—only the driver gets an airbag, with the front passenger airbag completely omitted across all trims. Furthermore, electronic driver aids such as Emergency Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TCS), and Electronic Stability Control (ESP) are conspicuous by their absence. As for parking aids, higher trims feature rear parking sensors and a reverse camera, with cruise control standard from the mid-spec up. With autonomy capped at Level 0, there is no active safety or ADAS intervention onboard. The car's safety suite barely meets the entry-level benchmark of 2022 micro-EVs, with the lack of a front passenger airbag being its most glaring flaw.

Market Performance & Verdict

The Dongfeng Fengguang MINIEV hit the market in March 2022 as Dongfeng's bid to snag a slice of China's A00 micro-EV boom. Priced aggressively from RM28,600, it went toe-to-toe with the segment's heavy hitters: the Wuling Hongguang MINIEV (from RM28,800) and the Chery QQ Ice Cream (from RM29,900). On paper, it packed notable selling points—peppier 25 kW/30 kW motor outputs compared to rivals' 20 kW units, an agile RWD configuration, and welcome perks like cruise control and a reverse camera on higher specs. Even so, it suffered from weaker brand equity, with motoring media quickly writing it off as an uninspired copycat that borrowed heavily from its rivals right down to its nameplate.

In terms of reception, the 2022 model remains the only iteration ever produced, with no mid-life facelifts or newer-generation models following suit. As of 2026, old-stock units are still trickling through select dealerships, though the car has been thoroughly eclipsed by fresher, better-packaged contenders like the Changan Lumin and Geely Panda. Head-to-head reviews often praise its rock-bottom sticker price and fuss-free maintenance, but criticise its optimistic real-world range, Spartan cabin, and baseline kit. The total absence of DC fast charging remains its biggest operational handicap for everyday use.

All in all, the Dongfeng Fengguang MINIEV was a typical opportunist product spawned by the micro-EV craze, relying on budget pricing and a RWD layout to carve out a niche in 2022. However, as the market moved on and buyers began demanding rapid DC charging, better safety kit, and smarter in-car tech, its competitiveness faded fast. For ultra-budget-conscious buyers needing nothing more than a basic, four-wheeled town runabout with easy home-charging access, the Fengguang MINIEV still works as a bare-bones appliance; but for those prioritising dependable range, charging flexibility, and decent passive safety, contemporary alternatives like the Changan Lumin and Geely Panda are far sounder propositions.