DFM AX7 review: model appearance, interior, technical characteristics, security systems, prices and configurations. At the end of the article - a test drive of the DFM AX7!
Contents of the review:
- Appearance
- Salon
- DFM AX7 specifications
- Security systems
- DFM AX7 cost and configuration
In 2014, the Chinese carmaker Dongfeng Motor (DFM) at the annual Beijing exhibition demonstrated its new product - the urban crossover DFM AX7, which was the result of close cooperation between the company and the Japanese automaker Nissan. Particularly attentive motorists will easily notice the similarity of the design of the novelty with the second generation Nissan Qashqai, but in this case we are not talking about blatant plagiarism and copying, but about completely legal cooperation.
Contrary to rumors, the Chinese crossover DFM AX7 is based not on the first generation Nissan Qashqai platform, but on the DFMS trolley, purchased from Honda and thoroughly redesigned by Chinese specialists. Official car sales in China started back in the second half of 2014, and the crossover reached the Russian market only in the summer of 2017, but instantly attracted the attention of the domestic buyer with its stylish appearance, rich equipment and good technical characteristics.
Exterior DFM AX7
Despite its Chinese roots, DFM AX7 looks stylish, attractive and relevant. There is nothing in the exterior design that would give out a "Chinese" in it - moreover, if you do not look at the emblem, the appearance of the car is quite consistent with the school of European and / or Japanese design, for which special thanks to the Dongfeng designers.
The front part of the body received a relief hood, modern lighting technology with LED running lights, a neat false radiator grille and a stylish front bumper, into which a pair of foglights and a small air intake were added.
The profile of the car is distinguished by the presence of the front pillars heavily piled back, the falling roofline, large side doors and stylish alloy wheels.
The crossover stern did not disappoint either, which received large LED rear optics, a huge tailgate and a neat rear bumper, with an off-road plastic lining in the center and exhaust pipes spaced around the edges (in fact, there is only one exhaust pipe).
Overall DFM AX7 characteristics are as follows:
- Length - 4.69 m;
- Width - 1.85 m;
- Height - 1.727 m;
- Wheelbase distance is equal to 2.712 m.
The height of the minimum ground clearance is 190 mm, which is quite consistent with competitors and allows you to climb curbs, overcome speed bumps and railway tracks without any problems. The car rests on the road with standard 17-inch or optional R18 wheels.
The color scheme of the car is represented by 4 body colors: black, brown, silver and pearl white.
DFM AX7 interior
The interior design of the city crossover pleases not only with good finishing materials and stylish architecture of the front panel, but also with well-thought-out ergonomics, which is still a rarity on Chinese cars. The driver was offered a rather stylish 4-spoke multifunction steering wheel and an original designed instrument cluster, only the notches of the speedometer and tachometer are somewhat small, which somewhat complicates the reading of the readings. At the head of the center console sits a 7-inch infotainment monitor, under which the audio and climate control unit is located.
The five-seater cabin offers an impressive amount of free space for both front and rear riders, where three adult passengers can sit without any problems.
It's difficult to call the seats comfortable: the front row seats are practically devoid of lateral support and have insufficient padding, and the rear sofa is extremely soft and flat in profile, which means it is better to do without long trips.
We were pleasantly surprised by the shape and volume of the trunk, which can hold up to 565 liters of luggage in the stowed state and up to 1572 liters - with the backs of the rear sofa down. On the raised floor, the manufacturer was able to accommodate a full-size spare wheel and a set of necessary tools.
DFM AX7 - specifications
On the Russian market, Dongfeng AX7 is offered with an uncontested 2-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine capable of squeezing out a maximum of 140 "horses" and 200 Nm of torque available at 4000 rpm. A pair of it can be either a 5-level manual gearbox, or a 6-speed "automatic", allowing a maximum speed of 185 and 180 km / h, respectively. Unfortunately, the manufacturer decided not to disclose the time required to accelerate from 0 to 100, but given the power and total weight of the car, we can assume that it varies within 10.5-12 seconds.
Despite the presence of a 2-liter engine, the car pleases with a moderate appetite - fuel consumption in the combined cycle, as shown by the DFM AX7 test drive, is 8-8.7 l / 100 km, depending on the type of pre-installed transmission. The drive type is exclusively front, so that the lot of the car is exclusively urban jungle and a country road.
As noted earlier, the crossover is based on a significantly modernized Honda "bogie" called DFMS and assuming the presence of a transversely located power unit. The suspension of the car without revelations: in front there are MacPherson struts, and on the rear axle there is a classic multi-link, while both the front and rear axles received transverse stabilizers and hydraulic shock absorbers. Oddly enough, the car confidently copes with small and medium-sized ones, but gives way to some serious irregularities.
The rack and pinion steering mechanism is supplemented by an electric booster, and disc brakes are installed on all wheels, and the front wheels are additionally equipped with a ventilation system.
AX7 security
Traditionally for the modern Chinese car industry supplied to the domestic market, the crossover received an impressive set of security systems, including:
- Electronic ABS technology designed to prevent wheel locking and reduce the likelihood of loss of control when decelerating;
- 4 airbags: 2 in front and 2 on the side;
- Seat belts with pre-tensioning function;
- Children's castle;
- ISOFIX fasteners for installing child seats;
- Rear parking sensors from 4 sensors;
- Immobilizer;
- System for automatic unlocking of doors and shutdown of the fuel supply system in case of an accident;
- Steering column with specially planned crumple zones;
- ERA-GLONASS;
- Assistant when starting up a hill;
- Braking assistant;
- Stabilization system;
- Deceleration priority system (BOS);
- Auto-blocking function of doors at a speed of over 10 km / h;
- Back view camera.
In addition, the car received a proprietary Tai-Chi monocoque body safety system, represented by special programmed deformation zones and safety bars in the side doors, designed to minimize the force of impact in a side collision.
Configurations and their cost DFM AX7
The price in Russia for DFM AX7 starts at 990 thousand rubles. (16.98 thousand dollars) for the basic configuration "Comfort", offering the following set of equipment:
- ERA-GLONASS;
- Stabilization system;
- Assistant when starting up a hill;
- Deceleration Priority System (BOS);
- Anti-slip complex;
- Frontal airbags;
- Auto-blocking function of doors at a speed of over 10 km / h;
- Immobilizer;
- ISOFIX fasteners, with which it is possible to install child seats;
- Seat belt system with pre-tensioning function;
- Central locking;
- Air conditioner;
- Air deflectors for rear riders;
- Multimedia complex with 7 "monitor, Bluetooth support, USB + AUX and 6 speakers;
- Electric windows for all doors;
- Multi-wheel with the ability to control music and an on-board computer;
- Seat fabric upholstery;
- Armrest for front and rear riders;
- Rear sofa folding 40:60.
Dongfeng DFM AX7 prices for the "Prestige" and "Premium" trim levels start at 1.149 and 1.099 million (19.7 and 18.8 thousand dollars), respectively. The "Prestige" package additionally received:
- Leather steering wheel;
- Multi-wheel with music control, cruise control and Bluetooth;
- Electric parking brake;
- Cruise control;
- 220V socket.
The "Premium" package has been completed with:
- 3.5 ”LCD display of the on-board computer;
- Leather seat upholstery;
- A shutter in the trunk;
- Climate control;
- Heated front passenger seats.
DFM AX7 the price of the top-end “Luxury” configuration will cost the buyer at least 1.249 million (21.4 thousand dollars), while the buyer, in addition to the “Premium” version, will receive:
- Electrically adjustable driver's seat;
- Keyless entry function to the salon;
- Starting the motor from the button;
- Electric mirrors with auto-adjustment when driving in reverse and with memory;
- Side airbags and curtain airbags;
- Rear view camera;
- Parking sensors.
It is also worth noting that the "Comfort" and "Premium" trim levels are offered with a 5-level manual transmission, while the "Prestige" and "Luxury" versions are offered only with a 6-speed "automatic".
Conclusion
The Dongfeng DFM AX7 demonstrates the rapid progress made by the Chinese automakers in creating attractive, comfortable and well-equipped vehicles at a reasonable price.
Of course, you can't call the hero of the review cheap, but if you compare him with similarly equipped "Europeans" or even "Koreans", then the price gain will be more than significant. This means that the car has every chance of gaining a foothold in the Russian market and showing the available sales volume.
Test drive DFM AX7:
DFM
