Dongfeng Sokon (DFSK) is one of the top car manufacturers in China and even though the cars are relatively new in Dhaka, they have been around for decades and its latest vehicles are inspired by almost all of the top automakers in the world.
By that I mean, Dongfeng has collaborated with the likes of Honda, Kia, Citroen, and Peugeot and has gathered knowledge from these renowned names from all around the world. So you can rest assured that the cars are of superior build quality in comparison to its competitors of the same class.
Today we are going to talk about the DFSK 580, a vehicle which is designed to be an SUV, but on a budget.
Currently, this model will set you back around Tk36 lakh brand new, a recent increase from Tk31 lakh a few months ago.
Imagine a car that combines the design elements of French, German, Korean, and Japanese automakers. Even though the two brands merged in 2003, they are already posing a significant threat to the world's most expensive luxury cars. They currently export automobiles to 70 different nations and are placed 68th among Fortune Global 500 companies.
Performance
Depending on the road you are driving on, the SUV's powerful 1498cc engine produces 148 bhp of power at 5600 rpm and 220 Nm of torque at the same speed.
It also delivers a mileage of 11 to 13 kilometres per litre.
The purpose of the 580's engineers was to create a family vehicle, and the driving experience well reflects this objective.
Even when you are flooring the gas pedal, the 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, developed by Fiat, accelerates smoothly and gradually.
Despite the two-inch dead zone on the brake pedal, the Bosh brakes do a good job of slowing down the car smoothly when you put them all the way down.
Surprisingly firm for a crossover, the suspension of the car is designed for city driving and enhances the car handling at relatively higher speeds. Though, for a car which is mainly going to be used to drop off children at schools and run household errands, the stiff suspension could become annoying at some point.
A softer suspension would have been a better way to go.
Interior
Speaking of the interior, you may cruise on the DFSK Glory 580's plush leather couches-like seats. Apparently, dual-coloured leather seats will be available in a few months.
The handgrip is located on the bottom of the steering wheel to prevent hands from slipping off when driving and the steering wheel is the ideal size for optimum mobility.
Small details like these are essential when you're using a car for daily use.
The nine-inch infotainment system included inside the SUV is compatible with both the iOS and Android operating systems, leaving the choice of the operating system up to the users.
With an option of a sunroof, you can open it with a touch of a button to bring light into your lavish interior if you feel that it is getting too dark or needs more air.
Given that the vehicle has a 360-degree surround-view camera system, engineers at DFSK seemed to have carefully considered the parking dilemma in cities-- a life-saver for many new drivers around.
Exterior
When it comes to the exterior, the Glory 580 is not the loudest in terms of appearance. I would personally recommend the Haval Jolion or the MG HS if you are solely going for the looks alone in that price range.
The SUV has a lethal appearance thanks to its lion-eyed headlights, and the fog lights flash from a distance.
Even in the toughest weather conditions, the car is visible and the emergency light is designed in such a manner that it illuminates the bottom part of the car.
The first-generation Audi, which is sleek, sophisticated, and stylish at the same time, served as inspiration for Glory's backlights.
When the door is opened, a light in the bottom corner illuminates to warn the passersby that the door is open and help prevent accidents.
DFSK’s global presence
One of DFSK's two plants, one in China and the other one is in Indonesia. All left-hand drives are produced in China and exported to nations that use them, whereas all right-hand drives are produced in Indonesia and shipped to nations that use them.
Even though there have been announcements from Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited (BAIL) about them assembling the whole vehicle starting later this year, production has not yet started.
Once manufactured here, the car will be also known as the ‘Bangla Car’, according to BAIL authorities.
However, the vehicle is partially assembled here, for example, the doors and other parts are fitted here in Bangladesh, most likely to avoid the high import duty of a finished car.
Verdict
The vehicle is designed to be used as a workhorse and given the fact that it is partially assembled locally, the spare parts will be more available than its competitors such as Haval and MG.
The Proton X70 is also another great alternative to this, even though it’s a bit more expensive.
However, overall the DFSK Glory 580 is an all-rounder and is more than capable of handling your daily chores with ease.
With plenty of safety features in the car, the vehicle should be an option if you are looking for a compact SUV without breaking the bank that also provides all the modern amenities.
