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Outstanding Driving Quality and Ultra-Low Fuel Consumption: Is the Venucia Xing Worth the Investment?

Jul 04,2025

Is the Dongfeng Venucia Xing Worth the Investment?

 

Many young buyers, like myself, are looking for an SUV that can comfortably accommodate family and friends for trips, with ample space and off-road capability. However, the issue with most SUVs is that their fuel efficiency and handling often fall short compared to sedans in the same price range. Particularly in the $15,000 to $20,000 bracket, most options tend to be entry-level models with limited range and cramped interiors. So, is there an SUV under $20,000 that offers good fuel efficiency, great handling, and spaciousness?

 

Today, we're introducing a high-value SUV that's tailored for the light-luxury market—the all-new A+ class SUV from Dongfeng Venucia: the Venucia Xing. This model, Dongfeng Venucia's first built on the VSA smart platform, features a 48V mild-hybrid system, making it a standout in its class. With prices ranging from $15,400 to $21,000, it strikes a balance between performance, technology, and cost.

 

One of our editors chose the Venucia Xing over competitors like the CS75 PLUS, citing its spacious interior, advanced smart technology, and fuel efficiency. After using it for a while, he concluded that the vehicle provides exceptional value for money.

 

The Design of the Venucia Xing: A Dream for Detail-Oriented Buyers

 

The Venucia Xing's exterior design is a perfect fit for those who appreciate sleek and dynamic aesthetics, particularly the highly recognizable front fascia, which stands out and makes a lasting impression. What truly sets the car apart, however, is its craftsmanship. The seams on the body panels are uniform and precise, while the high saturation of the paint enhances the vehicle's premium feel, highlighting the advancements in manufacturing brought by the new VSA platform.

 

Inside, the Venucia Xing seamlessly blends technology with luxury. The 15.6-inch central touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster integrate to create a striking visual impact. The central console, along with areas above the knee, is wrapped in soft-touch materials, while the leather seats and door panels feature diamond-patterned stitching. This level of material quality, often seen in luxury vehicles priced in the higher ranges, is a delightful surprise in an A+ class SUV.

 

For consumers who value attention to detail and quality, it is hard to find another SUV at this price point that can rival the interior feel of the Venucia Xing.

 

Space: The Key Priority for Family Buyers

 

For consumers in the $15,000 to $20,000 price range, the Venucia Xing could very well be the first or even the only car in the family, making ample space for comfortable family trips a crucial factor. Family buyers tend to prefer larger vehicles, as they aim to provide "equal seating comfort" for every family member.

 

The Venucia Xing stands out in its class with impressive space. As an A+ class SUV, its size offers a clear advantage over competitors like the CS75 PLUS. From our actual experience, the Venucia Xing's interior space and cargo capacity exceed its on-paper specifications.

 

Inside, the car features a practical floating dual-layer central console. The upper layer is perfect for phones and drinks, while the lower layer is ideal for bags or snacks. The rear legroom is generous, with enough space for three fist-widths. Plus, the flat floor design ensures that even with five passengers on a long trip, the comfort of the rear middle seat remains unaffected.

 

A key reason why one of our editors chose the Venucia Xing was the rear seat comfort. He mentioned, "In the past, I always felt a bit awkward having family or friends sit in the middle of the back row. But since switching to the Venucia Xing, I no longer worry about that."

 

Goodbye to Traditional Car Keys: Everything Managed with Your Phone

 

As a '90s generation driver, my friends value not just appearance and space, but also the “fun factor” in a car. The Venucia Xing, equipped with the Venucia Smart System 4.0, includes a 15.6-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch instrument panel, supporting AR navigation, voice interaction, and other features. Its user interface and operation logic are very similar to a smartphone, making it easy to get the hang of.

 

In addition to touch and voice controls, the Venucia Xing integrates with third-party apps and smart home systems. For example, it supports cloud payments, allowing you to enter parking lots without taking out your phone. It also features group communication; when attending a car meet-up, you can use the car's voice system to communicate and track the location of other members in real-time.

 

The Venucia Xing also offers a virtual key feature, enabling you to open the doors and start the car with your phone, so forgetting your physical key is no longer a concern. Additionally, the car allows remote control of the air conditioning. During our test drive, we used the phone to activate the AC beforehand, and the cabin quickly cooled to a comfortable temperature.

 

With its range of features, including online video, in-car karaoke, and more, the Venucia Xing offers a convenient and enjoyable driving experience.

 

Exceptional Driving Quality and Surprising Fuel Efficiency

 

The Venucia Xing is powered by the latest 1.5T engine, paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system, significantly enhancing acceleration and fuel efficiency. Thanks to the 48V system, the vehicle starts more smoothly, and the 1.5T engine delivers 140kW (190Ps) and 260Nm of torque, surpassing competitors like Honda and BMW in the same engine class.

When it comes to fuel efficiency, we drove aggressively in the city for a day, and the average fuel consumption was just 6L. One of our editors, who particularly prioritizes fuel economy when purchasing a car, was impressed by the Venucia Xing's performance, stating, "I used to worry about high fuel consumption, but now I'm just curious to see how low it can go."

 

In addition to its excellent fuel economy, the Venucia Xing also shines in driving quality. Thanks to its new platform and global alliance tuning, it offers a quiet and responsive driving experience. At highway speeds, the car remains stable, with minimal road and tire noise, while the soft seats and quiet cabin ensure long-distance comfort. The suspension system absorbs bumps well while offering support, making occasional mountain drives an easy feat.

 

Overall, the Venucia Xing's driving quality is on par with first-tier joint-venture brands, with impressive NVH performance and a solid, premium-feeling chassis. If you're a driving enthusiast, the Venucia Xing won't disappoint.

 

Is the Venucia Xing Worth Buying?

 

Based on our hands-on experience and owner feedback, the Venucia Xing is a well-balanced SUV that excels in every aspect. Whether it's space, technology, or driving experience, it meets diverse needs. Its large size, flat floor design, and spacious trunk easily accommodate family and luggage. The Venucia Smart System 4.0 offers a user-friendly tech experience, while the 1.5T + 48V mild-hybrid system strikes a perfect balance between power, handling, fuel efficiency, and comfort.

 

Although the Venucia Xing is a newer model and doesn't have the same market buzz as some flagship competitors, it effectively satisfies a variety of needs, especially in terms of space and driving performance. At its price point, the value for money is exceptional, and as a friend mentioned, it's truly "worth every penny."

 

If you have a budget of $15,000 to $20,000 and are looking for an SUV with ample space, cutting-edge technology, and low fuel consumption, we highly recommend giving the Venucia Xing a try. We're confident that its performance will not disappoint.

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