Chinese DFSK 580 SUV hits the market: European manufacturers, take note

The Chinese DFSK 580 SUV lands on the Spanish market with an equipment-to-price ratio that no other manufacturer can match.

After many years in which the giant Chinese manufacturers were reluctant to enter the Spanish market, Dongfeng has been the pioneer. We should not forget that this company is none other than the majority shareholder of the PSA Group, so although it has been in the shadows, it has been eyeing the market for a long time. Models such as the Chery Exeed TX, a Chinese plug-in hybrid SUV due in 2020, make it clear that in the future it will be normal to see these cars on the street.

Dongfeng has launched its first offering, the DFSK 580, an SUV already on sale across the country through a wide network of dealerships. The main strengths of this Chinese crossover are its good equipment, a very affordable price and generous interior space, since it can even be configured with seven seats.

This Chinese SUV comes with a comprehensive equipment list

The DFSK 580 features a comprehensive range of driver assistance systems: emergency braking assist, tyre pressure monitoring system, rear-view camera, and more. It also includes features such as a multifunction touchscreen, keyless entry and start system, dual-zone climate control, leather upholstery and LED front and rear headlights.

Dongfeng’s plan is the same one that various companies of Chinese origin have used to become market leaders: offering a product capable of competing with those of the most renowned brands, but at a rock-bottom price. A clear example is Xiaomi, which arrived as a complete unknown and has become one of the leaders in the Spanish market, overtaking powerful companies such as Apple and Samsung.

Under the bonnet of the DFSK 580 sits a 1.5 turbo engine producing 146 CV, paired with a CVT automatic gearbox. In addition, Dongfeng offers the option of adapting this powertrain to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), so if you are not sure what this is about, we will show you 8 things you probably didn’t know about LPG cars.

The Asian company is completely confident in the reliability of its SUV, so it offers a 7-year or 100,000-kilometre warranty. This is a strategy that Kia has been using for a few years now, and it is an incentive to buy one of its models.

DFSK will have two more models in 2020

The launch of the DFSK 580 is only the beginning of Dongfeng’s offensive, since the manufacturer expects to bring the DFSK iX5 to market this same year, a coupé SUV that could make a big impact on the market. In addition, the third launch will be the F600, an MPV with attractive design and enormous interior space.

The DFSK iX5 will be no joke, and it promises highly advanced technological equipment. It will have three multitasking screens, an intelligent voice assistant, a 360-degree external vision system, cruise control, a parking assistant, pre-collision warning and remote control via mobile phone, and more…

How much will the DFSK 580 cost?

We have reached the key point of the next Chinese entrant in the SUV segment. The model will come in two trim levels: Luxury and Intelligent. Therefore, the price of the DFSK 580 will be 21,995 euros in the Luxury trim and 23,995 euros for the Intelligent.

It will have to be seen in person and, above all, you will have to get behind the wheel to test it, but with such equipment and pricing, it seems that European manufacturers may start to feel the pressure: the Chinese have arrived to stay.