Auto Review: 2025 Dongfeng Shine Max – A spacious sedan perfect for the family

This is the Dongfeng Shine Max. But with a multitude of badges plastered all over, like ‘MAX’ on the grille, ‘MACH’ on the side fender, ‘AEOLUS’ on the steering wheel, and a whole lot more, including ‘320T’ at the rear, it can get confusing.

But here’s the deal. Dongfeng, like Geely and Chery, is the parent company. In its domestic market, this vehicle is sold under the Aeolus sub-brand as the ‘Yixuan Max.’ But since neither brand is well-established in the GCC, Dongfeng was chosen as the ‘make’ and ‘Shine Max’ as the model. As for the ‘320T’, this refers to the torque rating, although it’s rated at 300 Nm, but that is close enough. Now that there’s some clarity, let’s get on with the review.

Design and aesthetics

The Shine Max is a fairly large car, measuring 4797mm in length, 1870mm in width, and 1475mm in height. Its mid-size proportions are masked by its sporty delineations, and it has some intricate details — uncommon for the segment — embedded in its bodywork. Upfront, the ‘Audio Explosive Digital Grille,’ as the company calls it, features chrome floating points, a red strip above it, and angular faux air intakes that flank it. The profile shares a fastback roofline with angular, chiseled bodylines, and it rides on sophisticated 17-inch alloys. At the rear, there’s the aptly named ‘Blade through Full LED Tail Lamp’ that extends across the whole vehicle’s width. Overall, the Shine Max carries an elegant road-going presence, more so than what its price conveys.

Similarly, the interior is designed with flair, beyond its asking price. The dual-tone black/brown colour scheme and dashboard decorations come together to form a modern cabin. It has a D-style 3-spoke steering wheel with large steering controls, a driver-centric 12.3-inch infotainment screen (lesser models get a 7-inch screen), and digital instrumentation with unique hexagonal digital bezels for the odometer and speedometer. Interestingly, I counted as many as eight different trim materials on the door panels, from Alcantara to faux leather to good-quality door plastics at the door bottoms, which makes it feel luxurious, dare I say.

However, perfect it is not. Some menu fonts in the infotainment system are too small. The touch controls for the temperature settings are finicky and get washed out under the sun, and while the BMW-style shifter looks cool, it creaks. The biggest complaint, however, is the non-telescoping steering column. It’s a non-issue if you’re of average height, though. Also, the rake isn’t too adjustable, for which reason I had the steering touch my thighs the whole time. But the seats themselves are decently comfortable and look luxurious. They’re upholstered in nice, quilted faux leather with perforations and panelling. There’s also plenty of rear cabin space, with up to 3 to 4 inches of knee room. One thing’s for sure: despite its small quirks, the cabin doesn’t feel like that of a cheap econo-box. It’s a pleasant space.

Powertrain and performance

As little as 1.5 litres of displacement may seem, you can’t belittle this turbocharged 4-cylinder “MACH” motor. It has ample power for everyday use and then some more. And if you stomp your right foot, it pulls with enthusiasm at most rpms. In fact, I recorded an impressive 7.8-second run to 100 km/h from a standstill, which is quicker than the first-generation Toyota GT86 sportscar.

There is also a good amount of chassis control, and you can drive fairly quickly around town or on the highway without feeling that the front wheels are giving way or feeling unstable. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty exciting to drive, especially with the raspy exhaust note. It also has a good, cushioned ride without any fancy suspension bits—just the typical MacPherson independent front setup and multi-link suspension at the rear. Typical of its class, it gets disc brakes all around, which help shed speed in a sure-footed manner for all everyday driving situations.

Dongfeng claims it will do 6.2 l/100km, which sounds believable, but under real-world conditions, I was able to average a decent 9.9 l/100km, equating to a respectable 600km range approximately from the 52-litre tank. No holes burnt in pockets here.

Features and functionality

The A/C system is efficient, and having rear vents helps as well. It also has fancy Porsche Taycan-style A/C vent directional controls, but the downside is that you have to go through the infotainment to make adjustments. In terms of technology, you do get USB ports (front and rear), and wireless charging under the centre console (which I couldn’t get to work).

But the pièce de résistance is that the driver’s seat gets ventilation and massage functions, which are features unheard of for this segment. The massage provides proper focused pressure applications, better than some luxury vehicles even. But what’s surprising is that the current batch is not equipped with FM radio or navigation. I was advised that a dongle for this purpose will be retrofitted, and future batches will include it. The sound reproduction on the 11-speaker sound system is good, but it could be louder, especially when Bluetooth-linked devices are used.

And finally, it meets its family vehicle requirements of having a big central cubby, pop-up cup holders, and a deserving large boot with a 454-litre capacity.

Verdict

The Dongfeng Shine Max is a true dark horse and deserves a spot on your shortlist if you’re in the market for an affordable family sedan. It is both chic and spacious inside and out. It boasts a punchy motor and a comfortable cabin with surprisingly luxurious features like the driver’s side massage and seat ventilation. Ironically, it lacks some essentials like a radio and navigation, but a fix is promised. And yes, the steering column doesn’t telescope, but if you’re of average height, it won’t be an issue. It’s certainly a fun car to own and drive, and with a few simple tweaks, it’s ready to ‘Shine’ even brighter.

Specifications

GOOD: Chic exterior and cabin; spacious; torquey and economical motor; driver massage and ventilation seats; affordable

BAD: Steering column doesn’t telescope; no radio or nav; small infotainment fonts; unproven reliability and residual value

Editor’s Rating: 7.0/10 stars

Specifications

Body type: 5-seater; 4-door mid-size sedan

Engine: Front-engine; turbocharged 1.5-litre 4-cylinder; front-wheel drive

Transmission: 7-speed DCT

Peak output : 190 PS @ 5,200 rpm
                          300 Nm @ 2,000 – 4,000 rpm

0 to 100km/h:  7.8 seconds (estimated)

Top speed:  210 km/h (drag limited; claimed)

Price: Starting at Dh69,900; Dh79,900 (as tested)