Dongfeng AX7 MACH

Design & Quality

The feel of the cabin makes you believe that cars from China always feel a segment above their own. Because it is premium inside the AX7, the materials are soft to the touch, and everything feels put together solidly. You hardly feel any rattles when going over bumps, a clear indication of a better build. Everyone will like the fact that dust can be wiped away rather easily due to the texture used. The cabin gets a 12.3-inch screen, which appears seamless and also bright, easy to use; however, the response time could have been improved when switching screens. The digital driver display adds a modern touch, and at night, the ambient lighting gives it a special upscale vibe. The ventilated seats are good to beat the heat, and the panoramic sunroof makes the cabin feel airy. For entertainment, the 6-speaker system is clear enough for daily use. You also get wireless charging, smart key, and remote start, which makes daily use a lot easier. Against rivals like the H6 or Monjaro, it honestly feels roomier and more value-packed.

Front Seat

Most of the buyers will find the front seat well-positioned, focus on comfort, ease of driving and also convenience. The 6-way power-adjustable seat, it cools fast, which is great in our climate, and excellent support for a few hours on the road without getting uncomfortable. From the driving seat, you won’t complain about the visibility and will be in command while driving. The leather steering wheel gives perfect grip, with all controls right where they need to be. The heated function is also available, something not common at this price point.

Electronic Parking Brake

This came in handy more often than one would imagine. The auto-hold feature works well in traffic and on slopes, saving me from fiddling with the brake pedal constantly. It really takes away the stress in heavy traffic.

Rear Seat

The back seats are spacious enough for three, but two adults are definitely more comfortable for long trips. However, I think the leg, shoulder and headroom are quite good for average-sized adults, and so is the outside view from the windows. The flat floor adds to the legroom, and rear AC vents kept passengers cool even in peak afternoon heat. Families will like the stain-resistant upholstery, which survived a spill during my test without a problem. On higher trims, the rear backrests also recline, which adds comfort for longer trips.

AC Vents

The dual-zone AC is strong; it cooled down the cabin surprisingly fast in the middle of the day. The rear vents distribute cool air evenly, and I found the dust filter effective after a drive through sandy areas. The voice commands for the AC also worked smoothly, so I didn’t have to take my hands off the wheel.

Storage Options

The number of storage options is noticeable across the cabin, like the deep door bins, a lit glovebox, and a practical armrest cubby and door with a bottle holder. Also pocket behind the seat to store smaller items.

Armrest

Both front and rear armrests add comfort, with cupholders that actually fit larger bottles, a convenience during long drives, but not always the case with other cars, as often they are a lot smaller. 

Charging Options

Dongfeng has clearly thought this through rather well, and today’s time smartphones and other devices run our lives, and they should get charged right. And so to cater to these needs, there are USB ports in both rows, and on higher trims, a wireless pad that kept my phone charged during navigation. Small detail, but it really matters for daily use.

Boot Space

The boot is properly useful, with 510 litres of capacity, and you’re good to go for everyday use cases.  Be it grocery bags, weekend luggage, or even a stroller. Fold down the 60:40 seats, and you can easily slide in bulkier stuff. There are tie-down hooks and the cover, which help keep things from rolling around. It feels practical for family use.

• 6 airbags
• ABS with EBD
• ESC, traction control
• Hill hold
• TPMS
• Blind-spot monitoring (higher trims)
• Lane-keep assist (higher trims)
• AEB pedestrian
• Rear cross-traffic
• ISOFIX
• Auto hold

The first thing that struck me about the AX7 MACH was its bold appearance, and I bet most of you will feel the same. The overall exterior design and body language give it a futuristic appearance, featuring a large orbital grille and sharp LED lights. In person, it feels both rugged and premium, the kind of SUV that makes you look back once after parking.

Considering this is a mid-size SUV, its dimensions, comprising 4,645 mm in length and 1,880 mm in width, fall in place perfectly. The SUV doesn’t feel bulky in traffic but still has good road presence. The good news is that 197 mm of ground clearance is suitable for our everyday driving conditions across KSA. The aerodynamic shape also helps at higher speeds, and the wind noise is noticeably less than that of cars in the segment. The exterior has been considerably altered to make it look more appealing, and the 19-inch alloys boost sportiness.

Front

From the driver’s seat, you get a clear view of the chunky grille, which gives the SUV a strong, confident look, quite standard among most Chinese-made cars. The front design elements include the LED headlights, a sculpted hood, and an overall muscular appearance not common in this segment. You will appreciate the way the auto headlight levelling is positioned, as it helps during bumpy rides or uneven stretches. The fog lamps also provide extra comfort in rainy or dusty weather. So, the front isn’t radical to say, but it is quite distinctive, lovely enough to pull in young buyers to the brand’s showroom.

Side

Walking around to the side, the AX7 MACH has nice flowing lines and those slightly flared arches that give it a solid stance. Some design elements like the chrome window trims and roof rails do just enhance overall practicality as well as improve style. I noticed how easy it is to get in and out, and the step-in height feels just right for all ages. Driving on highways, the longer 2,715 mm wheelbase provided me with stability in crosswinds, which I just loved. And, if you look at it from a distance, the alloy, arches, and door panels, along with design cues, all contribute to the visual appeal, making it quite elegant. 

Alloy Wheels

The 19-inch alloys look sharp, and more importantly, they hold up well on dusty and slightly rough tracks. The 225/60R19 tires provided good grip on all types of everyday roads we drive on. They don’t compromise comfort, which is key in this class. The tire pressure monitoring system keeps you confident during long drives. I wish every car came with this feature; it's quite easy to maintain the right tire pressure and adds a lot to safety. 

Rear

At the back, a ubiquitous design element, the LED taillights stretch wide and look clean, while the small spoiler adds a sporty flair. Most of the cars now come with nearly identical designs, which is a welcome change for the rear. You will arrive at a quick conclusion that the skid plate below enables you to handle gravel without looking out of place. The rear camera deserves a mention because its wide view makes tight parking in crowded spots much less stressful. On higher trims, you even get a 540° panoramic camera setup, which makes manoeuvring in narrow lanes far easier.

Colors

Choose from White, Black, Grey, Blue, and Red, with dual-tone options available on select trims. Personally, I think White works best in the heat.

City Performance

Let me get straight to the city usability, and what we could do across cities in KSA, the AX7 MACH feel perfect. There isn’t much that bothers us while driving normal or busy traffic, it appears to be a friendly SUV to go around. So, it comes down to the powertrain, and the 1.5L turbo puts out 190 hp and 300 Nm, which is enough to slip into traffic gaps or pull a quick U-turn without effort. The 7-speed DCT is smooth once you’re moving, though in heavy traffic it takes a moment to respond. The size feels just right, okay, not oversized for narrow lanes. The wide-angle rear camera takes the stress out of tight parking, and overall refinement inside the cabin makes daily errands feel calmer. Switch to sport mode and you’ll notice the throttle sharpens up, adding a bit of fun to an otherwise relaxed drive.

Highway Performance

The highway experience isn’t that different. It gave that solid and composed impression. No matter what your top speed is, fair to say that, rather high on open roads, the SUV feel stable and confident. Rightfully added by the turbo torque to easy overtaking, while the cabin remains hushed enough for music or conversation. For long trips, you won’t want a drive without cruise; it is a must to take the strain out of holding speed. So the observation is that the AX7 MACH isn’t the kind of SUV that makes you push harder, but for steady high-speed travel, it feels upscale and relaxed. The large sunroof helps too, making long journeys feel more open and enjoyable.

Ride and Handling

Both the ride and handling department, the AX7 MACH misses nothing, it certainly elevates your experience, no matter where you’re driving, city or highway.  The combination of McPherson struts up front and double wishbone rear suspension does a good job of absorbing bumps and rough patches. The sharper impacts do come through firmly, but never harshly. The body roll is less than I expected for an SUV this size, so handling curves doesn’t unsettle it. Steering stays light in town for easy manoeuvring, but firms up nicely when cornering at speed. While I personally feel 200 mm of ground clearance is good for an SUV like this, although 197 mm doesn’t make a lot of difference, it's nearly the same and handles all everyday bumps or speed breakers well. For families, the balance between comfort, stability, and versatility will be a big plus. The only issues one might see are the slight gearbox hesitation in crawling traffic, but other than that, everything is in order for this well-rounded SUV.

• 12.3-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth/WiFi

• 7-inch digital cluster

• Leather seats
• Dual-zone AC
• 6-speaker audio

• Keyless entry
• Cruise control
• Rear camera
• Panoramic sunroof (higher trims)

• Wireless charger
• Voice control

E1 DUAL COLOR

This is a base trim with essentials like LED lights, a 12.3-inch screen, cruise control, and safety basics. I found it surprisingly well-rounded for the price. The key highlight is good mileage and comfort for daily drives. A perfect option for those who want value but still like dual-tone looks.

E2 DUAL COLOR

Beyond what you already get in the E1, this variant adds extra features like side airbags and wireless charging. This variant makes sense with a lot of safety and more convenience for families.

E1

This variant comes in single-colour E1 with all the core features such as AC, Bluetooth, and ESC.

E2

The top-end, fully loaded single-colour trim. There is ADAS, a panoramic sunroof, and ventilated seats, all make it truly luxurious. Given its high-end positioning, this will undoubtedly feel premium among the four available. If you can afford it, then definitely best to pick where there is a lot in terms of features worth having for peace of mind and comfort.

Sayarabay Recommendation

Our recommendation is the E2 DUAL COLOR for simple reasons of price, practicality and comfort. And so, you’re actually hitting a sweet spot with dual-tone style, extra safety like side airbags, and wireless charging, something an average user won’t want to miss. Then comes the mileage, although the powertrain is the same, it won’t change much; however, given the features and efficiency, this is an SUV for families for city and highway use at a reasonable price.

The newly facelifted, 2025 revamp of the  Dongfeng AX7 MACH turns out to be a great surprise waiting for you. That is what we felt after spending a good amount of time. From the exterior, it is bold, feels quite well built, and the cabin is packed with tech you find hard to come by in this segment, something Chinese OEMs seem to have mastered.

The turbo engine has enough punch, the driving is refined, and there is a lot of family usability. Put against another Chinese rival, H6, the price is lower, but you still get better style and space. So, yes, if you’re in the market for an update or first SUV, then the AX7 shouldn’t be ignored. There is a lot to like about it.

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