How to Choose the Right Budget EV for Daily Urban Commutes?

In today’s EV market, cars priced under $10,000 can meet basic commuting needs, but often fall short when it comes to safety and everyday practicality. On the other hand, models priced around $15,000 are generally larger, making them less ideal for navigating tight urban environments.

Among the best-selling models around the $10,000 price point are the BYD Seagull and the Wuling Bingo. Meanwhile, the Dongfeng Nammi 01 has been gaining significant traction with rising sales. So how does the Nammi 01 perform in terms of product strength and market competitiveness?

Let’s take a closer look at what this rising contender has to offer.

Competitive Pricing and Flexible Range Options

As a compact EV, the Dongfeng Nammi 01 is priced between RMB 65,800 and 101,800 (approximately $9,000–14,000), offering four driving range options: 310 km, 330 km, 410 km, and 430 km. With a starting price of just RMB 65,800, it stands out as one of the most affordable choices in its class.

Compared to rivals like the Geely Galaxy E5 (from RMB 68,800) and the BYD Seagull (from RMB 69,800), the Nammi 01 offers a more budget-friendly entry point—making it a solid option for working-class buyers looking for a cost-effective urban EV.

Urban-Friendly Design with a Distinctive Character

The Dongfeng Nammi 01 embraces a compact and refined design tailored for city life. Its overall styling exudes an urban charm, combining modern aesthetics with practical proportions.

At the front, the Nammi 01 features a sealed grille that reflects its pure electric identity, flanked by quirky split-style headlights that add a touch of personality. The upper light cluster adopts a full-width LED strip, enhancing visual width, while the lower units integrate both high and low beams. The LED daytime running lights extend across the top and blend into the lower lamps, giving the front fascia a cohesive and uniquely stylish appearance.

Striking Side Profile with Premium Design Touches

From the side, the Dongfeng Nammi 01 maintains the compact proportions typical of small urban EVs. However, it distinguishes itself with several upscale design elements rarely seen in this segment. Notably, it features pop-out flush door handles—an uncommon addition at this price point—and is the only model in its class to offer frameless doors on all four sides, adding a sleek, high-end feel.

The floating roof design, paired with contrasting body colors, enhances its light and agile appearance. A bold “NAMMI” badge is positioned on the C-pillar, while decorative protective strips on the lower door panels add subtle styling cues. Compared to the front, the side profile delivers more visual richness and modern flair.

Charming Rear Design with Thoughtful Details

The rear of the Dongfeng Nammi 01 continues the refined styling, highlighted by a pair of round taillights that lend a playful and approachable look. A large rear window enhances rearward visibility, adding to the car’s practicality in daily use.

The tailgate features a two-tone design, with the black upper section seamlessly integrating the taillights and the NAMMI brand logo, further emphasizing the car’s stylish and cohesive design language.

Impressive Safety Engineering for a Compact EV

Despite being a compact city car, the Dongfeng Nammi 01 does not compromise on safety. Built on Dongfeng’s Quantum Architecture No. 3 platform, the vehicle adopts a high-strength ring-shaped cage body structure. This design utilizes multiple energy transfer paths to effectively distribute collision forces in the event of an accident, enhancing occupant protection.

Approximately 80–85% of the key structural components are made from high-strength steel. The battery pack is safeguarded with ultra-high-strength 1500 MPa steel, while dual-layer anti-collision beams in the doors further enhance both passenger and battery safety.

Surprisingly Refined Chassis and Comfortable Handling

The Dongfeng Nammi 01 features a front MacPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent setup—a common combination in this class. However, the ride quality is surprisingly refined. It does an excellent job filtering out small bumps and road imperfections, while maintaining good composure over uneven surfaces. The suspension strikes a nice balance between firmness and flexibility, avoiding the harshness often found in budget city cars.

The steering wheel is appropriately sized, with a light and easy-to-control feel. Combined with the car’s compact dimensions, the Nammi 01 feels particularly nimble during low-speed maneuvers like U-turns and reverse parking.

Spacious Interior Despite Compact Dimensions

While compact EVs are primarily designed for city driving, adequate passenger space remains essential. The Dongfeng Nammi 01 measures 4,020 mm in length (with variants at 4,073 mm and 4,030 mm), 1,810 mm in width, and 1,570 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,663 mm (2,660 mm in some versions).

Compared to competitors like the Geely Galaxy E5 (wheelbase 2,650 mm) and BYD Seagull (2,500 mm), the Nammi 01 offers a slightly longer wheelbase, contributing to a roomy interior with an impressive 79.9% space utilization rate.

In real-world terms, a person 180 cm tall finds the front headroom comfortable, while the rear seat comfortably accommodates three adults around 170 cm tall without feeling cramped.

Practical and Comfortable Seating Design

Most seats in the Dongfeng Nammi 01 are upholstered in black materials, which are more resistant to stains compared to white seats. The combination of leather and fabric enhances durability and daily usability.

The tested model features an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, while the front passenger seat is manually adjustable. The rear seats differ slightly, with integrated black headrests matching the seat upholstery. Notably, the rear middle seat lacks a headrest and armrest with cupholders.

A thoughtful detail is the dense, patterned perforation on the center sections of the seat cushions and backrests. This design improves breathability, helping occupants stay cool and comfortable during longer drives by reducing heat buildup and moisture.

Flexible Seating and Ample Storage for Urban Lifestyles

The front seatbacks of the Dongfeng Nammi 01 can recline fully up to 180°, while the rear seatbacks fold forward, allowing both to create a flat “bedroom mode.” This feature offers a comfortable resting experience comparable to a home bed—perfect for naps or camping.

With five passengers onboard, the trunk offers 326 liters of cargo space. Folding down the rear seats expands capacity to 945 liters. Additionally, the Nammi 01 features a front trunk (“frunk”), which is absent in the Wuling Bingo. The front seats are separated by a floating center console, maximizing cabin space between driver and passenger.

Inside the cabin, 14 storage compartments are thoughtfully distributed to accommodate everyday items. However, the Wuling Bingo offers a larger cargo capacity of up to 1,240 liters with rear seats folded, making it somewhat more practical than the Nammi 01, while the BYD Seagull provides 930 liters.

Minimalist Interior Design with Premium Touches

Step inside the Dongfeng Nammi 01, and you’ll find a clean, minimalist cabin layout. Aside from the physical buttons on the steering wheel, almost no other physical buttons are visible inside the car, emphasizing a modern, uncluttered design.

The interior materials are thoughtfully crafted to enhance perceived quality. Deep-colored leather with a prominent diamond stitch pattern, complemented by black leather strap accents, creates an upscale feel reminiscent of a luxury handbag.

The dual-spoke steering wheel is finished in matte black, with multifunction controls integrated into the darker sections. These buttons manage driver assistance systems, multimedia, and voice commands, ensuring easy access without compromising the clean dashboard aesthetic.

Advanced Intelligent Driving Assistance for Enhanced Safety and Convenience

The Dongfeng Nammi 01 comes equipped with over 10 intelligent driver assistance features, significantly boosting both safety and ease of driving. Key systems include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and full-speed adaptive cruise control, offering comprehensive protection for drivers.

Additionally, the Nammi 01 supports fully automatic parking, which can be easily activated via smartphone Bluetooth, greatly simplifying parking and exiting tight spots.

Its 540° panoramic camera system delivers real-time 720p HD visuals, providing drivers with an all-around view to better navigate their surroundings and enhance safety.

Compared to rivals like the Geely Galaxy E5 and Wuling Bingo, the Nammi 01 stands out for its richer and more practical suite of intelligent driving aids, making the driving experience smoother and more enjoyable.

Efficient Powertrain and Versatile Range Options

The Dongfeng Nammi 01 is equipped across all variants with the Mach-E integrated electric drive system, featuring a single motor that delivers a peak output of 95 PS. This provides instant power on demand suitable for everyday driving.

The CLTC-certified pure electric ranges include 310 km, 330 km, 410 km, and 430 km options, comfortably covering typical urban commuting needs. Some models also support VTOL (Vehicle-to-Load) external power discharge functionality, allowing the vehicle to serve as a mobile power station—ideal for camping or outdoor activities.

During a test drive of the base model, the Nammi 01 impressed with its stable handling. It remained composed at highway speeds without feeling floaty. On uphill stretches, pressing the accelerator firmly did not result in power lag or stalling, offering a confident and comfortable driving experience.

Attractive Pricing and Outstanding Value Proposition

The Dongfeng Nammi 01 is highly competitive in the 60,000 to 80,000 RMB (~$9,000–$11,500) segment for compact family cars, offering excellent value for money. It combines striking design, advanced intelligent features, and spacious interior—all while helping buyers save a significant amount compared to alternatives.

For context, the Geely Galaxy E5 starts at RMB 69,800, and the BYD Seagull at RMB 66,800. Although price differences are relatively small, the Nammi 01’s advantages in equipment and performance make its value proposition stand out even more.

With its appealing aesthetics, intelligent driving technologies, and roomy cabin, the Nammi 01 has captured strong consumer interest. Whether for daily commuting or weekend trips, it presents itself as an ideal choice for modern families.

Who Is the Dongfeng Nammi 01 For?

Key Advantages:

• Compact and agile, perfect for stress-free city commuting
• Adequate electric range with fast-charging support
• Well-equipped with advanced intelligent features
• Affordable price and low operating costs

Recommended For:

• Young urban professionals
• Parents seeking a practical second family car
• Users with primarily short-distance travel needs