Dongfeng Haohan

Model Overview

The Dongfeng Aeolus Haohan is a core C-segment SUV introduced in 2023 by the Dongfeng Aeolus marque under Dongfeng Passenger Vehicle, spearheading the brand's strategic transition towards full electrification. Underpinned by Dongfeng Group's DSMA advanced modular architecture, the model debuted with a diverse range of powertrains, including internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) variants. Following multiple model-year updates leading up to the 2025 and 2026 iterations, its pricing spans a wide spectrum: the 2025 1.5T Jinshang Edition starts from RM79,900, with a limited-time promotional price matching RM79,900, which can drop to as low as RM64,900 with trade-in subsidies; the hybrid version carries a starting price of RM125,900; while the 2026 line-up has been streamlined to a sole Zhishang Edition variant priced at RM129,800.

Dimension-wise, the 2025/2026 Haohan measures 4,667 mm (4,650 mm for earlier batches) in length, 1,905 mm in width, and 1,630 mm/1,620 mm in height (the 2026 variant sits 10 mm lower), with a wheelbase of 2,775 mm. Positioned as a compact SUV with a 5-door, 5-seater layout across the range, its chief rivals in the domestic Chinese market include mainstream C-segment offerings such as the Changan CS75 PLUS, Haval H6, and GAC Trumpchi Emkoo.

Design Language

The Haohan adopts an exterior design theme officially billed as "Storm Aesthetics" or "Galaxy Star Language". Breaking away from traditional boxy SUV conventions, it employs sharp character lines and sculpted surfaces to deliver a distinctive, futuristic "cyber warrior" aesthetic. Up front sits a frameless radiator grille available in two flavours: the "Starry" motif featuring intricate chrome elements for an upscale, sophisticated vibe, and the "Star Track" pattern with a darkened, oversized mesh for a bolder, sportier look. Slim, smoked LED headlamp clusters with integrated projectors are connected by a full-width LED daytime running light (DRL) bar, flanked by "Starry Eyes" A-shaped lighting signatures that deliver high visual recognition after dark. In profile, a floating roofline, paired with flush pop-out door handles, reduces aerodynamic drag while enhancing modern tech appeal, while a segmented waistline and fastback roofline accentuate an athletic stance. The rear is defined by a twin-blade roof spoiler, full-width smoked LED taillights, and dual twin-pipe exhaust trims flanking a sport diffuser, giving it an aggressive, planted track-inspired stance.

Inside, the cabin takes clear inspiration from new-energy vehicles (NEVs), embracing a minimalist "less is more" philosophy. The wraparound dashboard does away with most physical switchgear, relocating nearly all in-car controls to the central touchscreen. The 2025 iteration gains a two-spoke multifunction steering wheel and a column-mounted electronic gear selector. A 10-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.6-inch (scaled down to 12.5 inches on the 2026 model) floating central infotainment touchscreen come standard to form a dual-display interface. Standard amenities include an in-cabin fragrance system, smart keyless entry with push-button start, an electronic parking brake (EPB), and one-touch power windows all round. Multiple interior colour schemes are on offer, including an Hermès Orange theme introduced for 2025. The seats are upholstered in synthetic leather, with 60:40 split-folding rear seatbacks to expand boot utility.

Powertrain & Performance

The Haohan offers two powertrain options—pure petrol and hybrid electric (HEV)—catering to diverse driving needs and preferences.

The petrol variant runs a Dongfeng Mach Power 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine (code: DFMC15TP1), pushing out 150 kW (204 PS) and 305 Nm of peak torque delivered between 2,000 and 4,000 rpm, with a maximum net output of 145 kW. Mated to a 7-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (DCT) driving the front wheels, it delivers a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 7.09 L/100 km (5.99 L/100 km under NEDC) and a top speed of 190 km/h. The engine is tuned to run on RON 92 petrol.

The hybrid variant (Mach Dual-Engine DH-i) combines a dedicated 1.5T hybrid engine with a dual front-motor setup, channeled through a 4-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). The engine produces 150 kW (204 PS) and 305 Nm, while the electric motors provide an additional 105 kW (143 PS) and 210 Nm, yielding an impressive combined system output of 215 kW (292 PS) and 565 Nm. Employing an integrated power-split and multi-gear series-parallel hybrid architecture, it completes the 0–100 km/h century sprint in just 6.0 seconds. It boasts a WLTC combined fuel efficiency of 4.97 L/100 km (down to 4.2 L/100 km under NEDC) and a combined cruising range of up to 1,200 km on a single tank. The HEV is fitted with a 1.8 kWh ternary lithium battery pack mounted beneath the boot floor; as a self-charging hybrid, it relies purely on regenerative braking and engine charging without external plug-in capability.

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant was previously showcased, boasting a larger battery pack and twin motors delivering a total system output of 265 kW and 615 Nm, a 0–100 km/h time of 6 seconds, and a combined CLTC range of up to 1,350 km; however, mass-market retail has largely centred on the HEV and petrol line-ups.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the Haohan comes standard across the board with front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link independent suspension setup, offering strong chassis hardware for its class. Chassis tuning was co-developed and calibrated with Dongfeng Aeolus's China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) factory racing team, blending motorsport know-how with everyday road manners to achieve a balanced, near 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution.

The damping setup leans towards ride comfort, efficiently filtering out high-frequency road imperfections while maintaining composure and controlled rebound over potholes and undulating surfaces. During spirited cornering, body roll is well suppressed with ample lateral support, with motoring journalists noting its taut, refined ride quality as punching well above its price bracket, rivalling vehicles in the RM200,000 to RM300,000 class. The electric power steering (EPS) is lightly weighted yet accurate. Stopping power comes from front ventilated discs and rear solid discs paired with an electronic parking brake (EPB); higher-spec 2025 trims further add Auto Brake Hold, Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control. The vehicle has an approach angle of 20°, a departure angle of 26°, and a laden ground clearance of 197 mm. HEV variants also benefit from an over-the-air (OTA) launch control feature for enhanced driver engagement.

Cabin & Equipment

The Haohan's tech-laden cockpit remains a major selling point for tech-savvy younger buyers. Infotainment is driven by the WindLink OS system, supported by a 10-inch or 10.25-inch full digital instrument cluster alongside a 13.2-inch, 14.6-inch (2025 model), or 12.5-inch (2026 model) floating central touchscreen. The 2025 model gets the 14.6-inch ultra-narrow bezel display as standard across the board, sharing its cockpit architecture with the Aeolus L7. The system supports 4G LTE connectivity, full-car five-domain OTA remote updates, onboard GPS navigation, Gaode maps, and smartphone screen mirroring. An AI-powered voice assistant developed by iFlytek is standard across all trims, supporting continuous dialogue and wake-word-free commands to manage air-conditioning, multimedia, navigation, and window controls.

On the comfort front, standard equipment across the range includes flush door handles, full-LED headlamps, roof rails, keyless entry, cruise control, power windows on all four doors, rear air-con vents, an ambient fragrance dispenser, a 1.08 m² panoramic glass roof (2025 model), and a 6-speaker audio setup. Higher-spec grades add a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, a powered tailgate with memory function, heated and power-folding side mirrors, 128-colour ambient cabin lighting, and a 12-speaker premium sound system.

Safety & Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)

In terms of safety, the Haohan employs a high-strength safety cage construction with extensive application of hot-stamped ultra-high-strength steel in critical load-bearing areas. Safety kit varies considerably across model years: top-spec 2025 variants feature dual front airbags, front side airbags, and a 540-degree panoramic camera system (integrating a 360-degree bird's-eye view with a 180-degree transparent chassis function), significantly aiding navigation in tight quarters and parking manoeuvres. Entry and mid-level 2025 variants come equipped with essential safety kit, including a reverse camera, rear parking sensors, a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), and electronic stability control (ESC). Conversely, the 2026 Zhishang Edition sees notable active safety omissions—dropping the 360-degree camera, transparent chassis, Auto Brake Hold, Hill Start Assist, and Hill Descent Control—retaining only baseline features like passive cruise control, rear parking sensors, and TPMS.

On the ADAS front, the Haohan offers Level 2 to Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving capability depending on the variant. High-spec 2024 Rongyao Edition trims offer full Level 2 driver assistance, incorporating Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go (ACC S&G), Lane Centring Assist (LCA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and forward collision warnings. Flagship HEV trims boast up to 18 ADAS functions, including Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Intelligent Cruise Assist (ICA), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), and Door Open Warning (DOW), complemented by an Augmented Reality Head-Up Display (AR-HUD) for comprehensive active safety coverage.

Market Performance & Reception

Upon its launch, the Haohan served as the primary sales driver for Dongfeng Aeolus, initially demonstrating positive market momentum. Deliveries hovered around 3,000 units monthly between May and June 2024, before tapering down to roughly 2,000 units in subsequent months, and eventually slipping to 1,615 units by November 2024. In early 2025, the brand rolled out the refreshed 2025 Haohan with an official guide price range of RM89,900 to RM125,900, alongside a limited-time entry price of RM79,900 that reached as low as RM64,900 post-trade-in subsidies. However, sales slumped to just 126 units in May 2025, highlighting soft demand. The subsequent 2026 model raised its base price to RM129,800 while cutting back significantly on infotainment display size, active safety kit, and driver assistance systems—a "higher price, lower spec" strategy that drew substantial criticism from the market.

Customer feedback has generally lauded the Haohan for its cabin space, punchy hybrid acceleration (0–100 km/h in 6.0 seconds), and fuel efficiency in start-stop urban traffic where electric drive dominates. Many owners also praised earlier trims, like the 2024 Rongyao Edition, for their generous equipment levels and user-friendly infotainment. On the flip side, criticisms stem from Dongfeng's limited brand cachet leading to consumer hesitation, backlashes over de-contenting in later facelifts, the eroded value proposition of the 2026 variant, and mixed usability feedback regarding the flush door handles in daily use.

In summary, the Dongfeng Aeolus Haohan represents an impressive technological showcase for Dongfeng's Mach Dual-Engine DH-i hybrid tech, delivering standout power, excellent fuel economy, modern design, and robust connectivity—with its 6-second century sprint leading the sub-RM100k segment. However, due to subdued brand pull, fierce segment rivalry, and misjudged mid-cycle equipment revisions, the Haohan has struggled to translate its technical edge into sustained sales leadership. Following the de-contented 2026 update, its price-to-performance appeal in the pure-ICE segment has taken a noticeable hit, leaving its long-term market trajectory open to scrutiny.