Video: Dongfeng 007 first drive: EV sedan a value leader?

The question that kept surfacing during our first drive in the Dongfeng 007 wasn’t whether the car was any good. It was how Dongfeng is selling it for this money. A large electric sedan with 540km of WLTP range starting at $54,990, or a 400kW all-wheel-drive version with a 3.9 second sprint for $59,990. Those numbers would be noteworthy from an established brand. For the 007, they’re genuinely difficult to reconcile.

The only car on the local market offering a comparable performance-per-dollar equation might be the Leapmotor C10 AWD at $64,990, which delivers 440kW and a 4.0 second 0-100km/h in SUV form. That’s also distributed by Armstrong’s, which tells you something about where the company sees opportunity in this market.

The 007 is Dongfeng’s flagship in New Zealand, the model Armstrong’s Distribution is banking on to elevate the brand beyond its budget Box beginnings. Known as the eπ 007 in China, it holds a five-star C-NCAP crash test rating with 93.78 percent occupant protection. Locally it carries a five-star VSRR, though ANCAP and Euro NCAP testing has not been conducted.

Underpinning the 007 is Dongfeng’s Quantum Architecture 3 platform. At 4,880mm long, 1,895mm wide and 1,460mm tall on a 2,915mm wheelbase, it occupies roughly the same footprint as a Toyota Camry, though the low fastback roofline disguises the bulk effectively. Dongfeng quotes a drag coefficient of 0.209, claiming it’s the slipperiest car on sale in New Zealand. Active aero shutters, frameless doors, flush door handles and a sculpted underbody contribute to that figure.

Both variants draw from a 70.26kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The Long Range rear-drive model makes 200kW and 320Nm, reaches 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds and offers 540km of WLTP range. The Performance AWD doubles output to 400kW and 640Nm, cutting the sprint to 3.9 seconds at the expense of range, which drops to 395km. Both quote a 30 to 80 percent DC charge time of 26 minutes.

Behind the wheel

Drive time was limited to a few laps of Hampton Downs and a short stretch of public road, but the 007 left a clear impression.

Starting with the Long Range rear-drive model, the chassis stands out immediately. It’s firm without harshness, impressively flat through direction changes and more composed over broken surfaces than the price would suggest. MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link rear setup keep the body well controlled. For a large sedan on a brief test loop, it felt notably mature.

Steering weight is pleasant, though there’s a sense the heft comes from software calibration rather than genuine mechanical feedback. It’s a familiar trait in this class and won’t bother most buyers, but enthusiasts will notice the distinction compared to something like an MG4 that communicates more naturally through the rim.

The rear-drive model’s power delivery is smooth and linear. It won’t shove you into the seatback, but 200kW provides confident, brisk acceleration. Sport mode sharpens the throttle response noticeably.

We had less time in the Performance, but with 400kW and all-wheel drive, the straight-line punch is remarkable for the money. A sub-four-second dash to 100km/h would have demanded six figures from any mainstream manufacturer not long ago.

Inside the cabin

A 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 8.8-inch driver display dominate the dashboard, flanking a squared-off steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls. The screen graphics lack the crispness of the best in class, appearing slightly low-resolution and muted, but the system responds quickly and the layout is logical enough.

The driving position deserves mention. Good back support, comfortable padding and a seat that doesn’t clamp you in. A touch more under-thigh extension would be welcome. Heated and ventilated front seats come standard on both models.

Equipment levels are strong across the range: a 1.84 square metre panoramic glass roof, 19-inch alloys with Continental tyres (a step up from the Vigo’s Wanlis), frameless doors, electric tailgate, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless charging and a 19-speaker WANOS surround sound system.

Android Auto, as with the Vigo, costs extra. It shouldn’t in 2026.

Rear occupants get adequate legroom, though the fastback roofline pinches headroom. There are no rear grab handles and no rear climate controls, just a solitary vent. USB-C and USB-A ports and a centre armrest with cup holders round out the rear amenities. The Long Range gets a dark grey and black interior; the Performance comes in white and grey and is the sole model available in Orchid Purple exterior.

Boot space exceeds 450 litres, great for a fastback, supplemented by a deep underfloor tub. A small frunk sits under the bonnet, though its usefulness is compromised by the release being on the passenger side and inboard.

A point of differentiation between the variants: the Performance includes a distraction and fatigue monitoring camera. The Long Range omits it entirely, with no visible driver-facing camera in our test car.

Safety kit on both models comprises six airbags (two front, two side, two curtain), AEB for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam and highway modes, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert with auto braking, intelligent door opening warning, a 540-degree surround camera and a built-in dash cam. For context, the BYD Seal provides nine airbags including rear side bags, while the Tesla Model 3 and the 007 share the same six-airbag configuration.

The competitive picture

At $54,990, the 007 Long Range delivers 540km of range, 200kW, a thorough safety package and standard equipment that would look generous at $75,000. The Performance at $59,990 adds all-wheel drive, doubled power and a sub-four-second sprint for a $5,000 premium, arguably making it the performance EV bargain of 2026.

Its most direct competitors are the Tesla Model 3 (from $63,900 in rear-drive form) and the BYD Seal (from $58,990 for the Dynamic). The 007 Long Range matches or betters both on range while undercutting both Tesla on price and offering richer standard specification. The Performance sits thousands below anything else with comparable acceleration.

Armstrong’s Distribution’s Simon Rutherford sees potential among buyers who have grown weary of SUVs and want a sedan again. He mentioned a customer currently driving a Holden Commodore who had nothing to replace it with. The 007 may not be the Commodore’s spiritual heir, but in this segment at this price, alternatives are remarkably thin on the ground.

Dongfeng 007 Long Range

Price: $54,990 +ORC

Powertrain: Single electric motor, RWD, 200kW/320Nm

Battery: 70.26kWh

Range: 540km (WLTP)

DC charging: 30–80% in 26 minutes

0-100km/h: 5.8 seconds

Cd: 0.209

Warranty: 6-year/200,000km vehicle; 8-year/200,000km battery

Service interval: 1 year/10,000km

Dongfeng 007 Performance

Price: $59,990 +ORC

Powertrain: Dual electric motor, AWD, 400kW/640Nm

Battery: 70.26kWh

Range: 395km (WLTP)

DC charging: 30–80% in 26 minutes

0-100km/h: 3.9 seconds

Cd: 0.209

Warranty: 6-year/200,000km vehicle; 8-year/200,000km battery

Service interval: 1 year/10,000km