Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV

The Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV is an all-electric compact C-segment saloon under the Dongfeng Fengxing marque. First launched in October 2018, it stands as one of the brand's earliest offerings in its transition towards new energy vehicles (NEVs). Built on a converted platform derived from the petrol-powered Jingyi S50, the model primarily targets commercial fleet operations such as e-hailing and taxis, alongside private buyers in license-restricted cities. The 2024 S50 EV is offered with a CLTC-rated pure electric range of 410 km, with official recommended retail prices ranging from RM149,900 to RM159,900, complemented by dedicated e-hailing and fleet variants priced at RM150,900 and RM155,900, respectively. As a core strategic model in Dongfeng Fengxing's electrification roadmap, the S50 EV carries the mission of advancing the brand's EV transition; however, it continues to grapple with sluggish sales and diminishing competitiveness in an increasingly crowded market.

Design Language

The 2024 Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV retains the overall silhouette of the petrol-powered Jingyi S50, receiving only minor EV-specific styling revisions. Up front, it features a closed-off front grille accented with U-shaped black trim, doing away with the traditional combustion engine intake grille. The triangular halogen headlamp clusters are retained, featuring manual headlamp levelling. The lower front bumper incorporates smoked black trim inserts and a trapezoidal lower air intake to inject a hint of sportiness. In terms of dimensions, the vehicle measures 4,675 mm long, 1,790 mm wide, and 1,550 mm tall, with a 2,700 mm wheelbase, positioning it squarely in the compact electric saloon category. At the rear, it sports conventional standalone taillight clusters, an integrated ducktail lip on the boot lid, and a lower bumper garnished with black trim and a full-width chrome accent strip. Inside, the dashboard is equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel and a 3.5-inch monochrome multi-info display flanked by analogue dials. The higher-spec Elite Edition gains a 9-inch floating infotainment touchscreen with a row of physical buttons underneath, accompanied by an electronic gear selector. The overall cabin architecture remains distinctly dated, showing a noticeable generational gap compared to newer EV offerings in the same price bracket.

Powertrain and Performance

The 2024 Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV is driven by a front-mounted single permanent magnet synchronous electric motor (model TZ200XSL), producing a maximum output of 110 kW (150 PS) and 210 Nm of peak torque. Power is delivered to the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gearbox. The official 0-100 km/h sprint is completed in 12 seconds, on to a top speed of 145 km/h. Powering the motor is a 44.51 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack supplied by Huating Power, providing a CLTC-rated electric driving range of up to 410 km. Via DC fast charging, a 30% to 80% state of charge (SoC) can be achieved in 30 minutes, whereas standard AC charging requires approximately 11 hours. Rated energy consumption stands at 12.5 kWh/100 km, while petrol-equivalent figures have not been published. The standard vehicle warranty covers 8 years or 160,000 km, with the battery pack warranty for commercial fleet variants extended up to 8 years or 800,000 km. Notably, early 2018 iterations utilised a 57 kWh ternary lithium (NMC) battery paired with a 90 kW motor, which was subsequently revised in later model years.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV employs a front-wheel-drive layout with a MacPherson independent front suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent setup, underpinned by a monocoque chassis. The steering is handled by an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, while braking duties are managed by front ventilated discs and rear solid discs, paired with an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). It rides on 205/60 R16 tyres mounted on steel or aluminium alloy wheels depending on the variant, and is not equipped with a spare tyre. The chassis setup is biased heavily towards comfort; bump absorption is adequate over minor undulations, though the rear torsion beam architecture compromises ride compliance over sharper road imperfections. Selectable drive modes include Eco and Standard/Comfort modes, complemented by Hill-start Assist and Auto Hold. Importantly, the entire lineup comes equipped as standard with electronic active safety systems, including Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS), and Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).

Cabin and Equipment

The cabin appointments focus primarily on utilitarian and fleet-friendly practicality. The instrument binnacle combines a 3.5-inch monochrome multi-info display with traditional analogue gauges. The mid-to-high-spec Elite Edition is fitted with a 9-inch floating infotainment touchscreen supporting Bluetooth connectivity and smartphone mirroring, whereas the entry-level Qingkuai Edition omits the central display entirely. An electronic shift-by-wire selector is fitted, alongside a urethane steering wheel with tilt adjustment. Seating upholstery is fabric on the base trim and synthetic leather on higher variants; both front seats feature only manual adjustment (fore/aft and recline), while the rear bench is fixed and cannot be folded down, leaving boot capacity static at 400 litres. Basic creature comforts include manual air conditioning, power windows all around, power-adjustable door mirrors, a single front USB port, and a standard 2-speaker audio system. Overall equipment levels are trimmed to meet fleet duty baselines, lacking the advanced digital conveniences expected of private passenger cars at this price point.

Safety and Driver Assistance

In terms of active and passive safety, the 2024 Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV features standard dual front airbags, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (EBA), Traction Control System (TCS), and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) across all variants. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) with real-time pressure readout is also fitted. However, it is important to highlight that the vehicle lacks front side airbags and curtain airbags entirely, leaving passive crash protection at a bare minimum. Driver assistance features include rear parking sensors, a reverse camera (Elite Edition), Auto Hold, and Hill-start Assist, with cruise control omitted across the range. The vehicle operates on Level 0 driving automation, offering no Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) such as Lane Keep Assist or Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB). Furthermore, reports of airbags failing to deploy during collisions have surfaced among owners, raising safety concerns.

Market Performance and Reception

The Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV has suffered from consistently weak sales performance in the market. In May 2025, monthly sales stood at just 176 units, marking a 35.29% month-on-month decline. Deliveries dropped further to a dismal 33 units in September 2025. Across the wider brand, Dongfeng Fengxing registered around 85,700 total sales in 2023, down nearly 30% year-on-year, with total brand volume in May 2024 amounting to just 2,232 units. Competing directly against rivals like the BYD Qin PLUS EV, GAC Aion S, and Geometry A, the S50 EV remains at a significant disadvantage in terms of real-world range, in-car technology, and brand equity.

In terms of customer feedback, owners have noted appreciation for its practical cabin room (aided by the 2,700 mm wheelbase and 400 L boot) and comfortable ride characteristics. However, quality-related complaints have been frequent, focusing mainly on optimistic range claims (a substantial discrepancy between advertised and real-world range), slow charging rates, and inconsistent build quality. Automotive analysts have noted that the Dongfeng Fengxing S50 EV remains a textbook ICE-to-EV conversion without proprietary technical breakthroughs, relying on superficial cosmetic updates that struggle to hold ground against purpose-built smart EV competitors. While the 2024 model attempted to regain footing via price revisions (starting from RM149,900) and minor feature repackaging, its core product value continues to lag behind rivals that readily offer 500+ km ranges and comprehensive ADAS suites at comparable prices.

In summary, as an early pioneer in Dongfeng Fengxing's electrification journey, the S50 EV retains some utility for commercial fleet operators courtesy of its spacious 2,700 mm wheelbase and straightforward chassis setup. Nonetheless, its compromised ICE-derived architecture, modest 410 km range, spartan standard kit, and weak brand presence continue to diminish its appeal in an increasingly refined EV landscape. For e-hailing operators, it remains a low-complexity workhorse for budget-focused fleet usage; however, for private buyers, the market offers far superior, longer-range, and technologically advanced alternatives within the same price bracket.