Dongfeng has quietly built one of the most spacious value SUVs in China. The Dongfeng e008 — sold under the company's new EV sub-brand Yipai (stylised “ePi”) — is a five-metre, three-row family SUV that seats six in 2+2+2 captain's-chair comfort, yet starts at just ~¥173,600 (about $24,100). The headline is its range-extender (EREV) powertrain: a 34.32 kWh battery gives 202 km of pure-electric driving (CLTC), while an on-board 1.5-litre turbo generator stretches total range to a remarkable 1,220 km, so there's no range anxiety on long trips. With Li Auto L8-class space and a loaded cabin of triple screens, a fridge and massaging seats for roughly half the price, the e008 is one of China's most aggressive value plays — and it's already lined up for export.
Performance & Specs
The e008 uses a series range-extender (EREV) layout rather than a conventional parallel plug-in hybrid. A 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 108 kW (145 hp) acts purely as a generator — it never drives the wheels directly — feeding electricity to the battery and motor. Drive comes from a single rear-mounted electric motor making 200 kW (268 hp) and 340 Nm, giving the e008 rear-wheel drive and smooth, EV-like response; the reviewer estimated 0–100 km/h in around 7 seconds, though Dongfeng hasn't published an official figure. Top speed is 180 km/h. Because the engine is a dedicated, high-efficiency generator (Dongfeng claims over 45% thermal efficiency), the e008 behaves like an EV around town and only sips fuel on the highway.
| Powertrain | Range-extender EV (EREV, RWD) |
|---|---|
| Range extender | 1.5L turbo, 108 kW (145 hp) |
| Drive motor | 200 kW (268 hp), 340 Nm |
| Battery | 34.32 kWh LFP |
| EV range | 202 km (CLTC) |
| Combined | 1,220 km (CLTC) |
| POWERTRAIN TYPE | Range-extender EV (EREV) |
|---|---|
| RANGE EXTENDER | 1.5L turbo four-cylinder (108 kW / 145 hp) |
| DRIVE MOTOR | 200 kW (268 hp), 340 Nm |
| DRIVETRAIN | Rear-wheel drive |
| BATTERY | 34.32 kWh LFP |
| EV / COMBINED RANGE | 202 km / 1,220 km (CLTC) |
| TOP SPEED | 180 km/h |
| FUEL USE | ~4.8 L/100 km (depleted) |
Dimensions & Practicality
| Length | 5,002 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,972 mm |
| Height | 1,732 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,025 mm |
| Tyres | 265/45 R21 |
| Ground clearance | ~170 mm |
At 5,002 mm long, 1,972 mm wide and 1,732 mm tall, with a limousine-like 3,025 mm wheelbase, the e008 is a genuinely large SUV — closer in size to a Li Auto L8 than to a compact crossover. That space goes into three usable rows: the second-row captain's chairs recline and slide, and the reviewer found the third row roomier than a BYD Tang DM-i's, with its own USB ports and cup-holders. Boot space runs from around 495 litres behind the seats to 783 litres with the rear rows folded. It rides on big 21-inch wheels with 265/45 R21 tyres and has roughly 170 mm of ground clearance.
| LENGTH | 5,002 mm |
|---|---|
| WIDTH | 1,972 mm |
| HEIGHT | 1,732 mm |
| WHEELBASE | 3,025 mm |
| CARGO VOLUME | 495 L (783 L seats folded) |
| TYRES | 265/45 R21 |
Charging & Battery
The e008's 34.32 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery is large for a range-extender, which is how it manages 202 km of electric range — enough for most owners to commute on electricity alone and rarely burn fuel. Dongfeng quotes DC fast charging that takes the pack from 30–80% in about 15 minutes, and there's a roughly 51-litre fuel tank feeding the generator for that 1,220 km combined figure. Officially the e008 uses about 4.76 L/100 km once the battery runs low, though our review suggested a real-world figure nearer 5–6 L/100 km. A handy 3.3 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) outlet lets it power external devices. Buyers who want to skip petrol entirely can also choose a pure-electric e008 BEV with a longer electric-only range.
| BATTERY | 34.32 kWh LFP |
|---|---|
| EV RANGE | 202 km (CLTC) |
| DC FAST CHARGING | 30–80% in ~15 min |
| FUEL TANK | ~51 L |
Design & Interior
Outside, the e008 wears a clean, modern three-row SUV shape with a full-width LED light bar front and rear, flush door handles and the Yipai four-point logo. The dark green shown is one of several colours. Inside, the cabin punches well above its price: there's a 15.6-inch 2.5K central touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver display and a 15.6-inch rear-seat entertainment screen, plus a panoramic glass roof with a manual sunshade, suede-trimmed doors with ambient lighting, a built-in smart fridge, massaging front seats and 27 storage spaces. The second-row captain's chairs, with their own armrest controls, give it a lounge-like feel that belies the sub-$25,000 price.
Technology & Features
The cockpit runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P chip, giving the triple-screen system fast, smartphone-like responses, with voice control, navigation and over-the-air updates. Crucially for export buyers, the reviewer confirmed the system can be switched to English. Driver assistance is handled by Dongfeng's in-house Tianyuan T100 suite — a camera/vision-based system (there's no LiDAR) offering more than 20 assist functions as standard, with higher trims adding memory parking and highway navigation assist. A 360-degree camera and plentiful parking sensors round out the package.
Safety & ADAS
The e008 is built around a high-strength steel safety cage — Dongfeng quotes over 70% high-strength steel with 1,500 MPa hot-formed sections in key zones. The Tianyuan T100 driver-assistance system provides L2 features such as adaptive cruise, lane keeping and automated parking, supported by a surround-view camera and parking radar. The LFP battery brings the inherent thermal stability that chemistry is known for. As a vision-based system, the ADAS is competent rather than class-leading — there's no LiDAR-grade hardware here.
| ADAS LEVEL | L2 (Tianyuan T100, vision-based) |
|---|---|
| ADAS FEATURES | Adaptive cruise, lane keep, auto parking, 360° camera, parking sensors |
Available Versions
| VERSION | POWERTRAIN | BATTERY | EV RANGE | PRICE | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Joy (EREV) | 1.5T + 200 kW | 34.32 kWh | 202 km | ~$24,100 (¥173,600) | Entry range-extender |
| Family Joy (BEV) | 200 kW | larger pack | longer EV | ~$24,800 (¥178,600) | Pure-electric |
| Family Comfort (EREV) | 1.5T + 200 kW | 34.32 kWh | 202 km | ~$25,800 (¥185,600) | Higher equipment |
| Family Comfort (BEV) | 200 kW | larger pack | longer EV | ~$26,500 (¥190,600) | Top pure-electric |
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 six-seat e008 launched in China with limited-time prices spanning ¥173,600 to ¥190,600 (about $24,100 to $26,500) across four trims — two range-extender (EREV) and two pure-electric (BEV). That puts a five-metre, three-row, six-seat family SUV with this much kit at roughly half the price of a Li Auto L8. It's currently a China-market model, but the reviewer confirmed it's already being prepared for export, with English-language system support — so it could reach overseas buyers before long.
How It Compares
The e008's most direct rival is the BYD Tang DM-i, which it undercuts on space and electric range while matching it on price — the reviewer rated the e008's third row as the roomier of the two. The Leapmotor C16 is another six-seat range-extender at a similar price, but the e008 offers a longer 1,220 km combined range. The big statement is against the Li Auto L8: the e008 delivers comparable size, three-row seating and a similarly loaded cabin for roughly half the money. For buyers who want maximum space and zero range anxiety on a budget, it's a compelling package.
- Huge five-metre, three-row cabin with six captain's seats from ~$24,000
- 202 km EV range plus 1,220 km combined — no range anxiety
- Loaded: triple screens, fridge, massage seats, glass roof
- Range-extender drives like an EV, sips fuel on the highway
- China-only for now (export “coming”), RWD single-motor only
- Vision-only ADAS — no LiDAR or premium self-driving hardware
- Real-world fuel use nearer 5–6 L/100km than the official figure
- Lesser-known brand with a limited overseas service network
The Dongfeng e008 is a textbook example of why Chinese family SUVs are rewriting the value rulebook. For around $24,000 it delivers a five-metre, three-row, six-seat cabin with limousine space, triple screens, a fridge and massaging chairs — the kind of kit that costs twice as much elsewhere. Its range-extender powertrain is the clever part: 202 km of electric range covers daily driving, while the 1.5-litre generator and 51-litre tank stretch combined range to 1,220 km for worry-free road trips. It isn't perfect — the ADAS is vision-only, it's rear-drive single-motor, and it's still China-focused — but as a spacious, do-everything family hauler for the money, the e008 is hard to argue with. If Dongfeng delivers on its export plans, rivals like the BYD Tang DM-i should be worried.
