As someone who has driven everything from gas-guzzling SUVs to minimalist EVs, it takes a lot to impress me these days. But a few months ago, I found myself behind the wheel of the Voyah Free—a premium electric SUV from the Chinese automaker Dongfeng—and let me tell you: this car didn’t just impress me. It made me question everything I thought I knew about EVs, performance, and even luxury.

In this article, I’ll walk you through my personal experience with the Voyah Free—its driving dynamics, real-world electric range, everyday comfort, and the little details that either won me over or left me wondering.

First Impressions of Voyah Free: Understated Elegance Meets Bold Technology

The Voyah Free is not your typical futuristic-looking EV that tries too hard. It doesn’t shout for attention, but it still turns heads. From the moment I approached it, I was struck by its athletic yet refined design—a harmonious mix of elegance and aggression.

It’s got a bold 12-slat illuminated grille, flanked by sharp LED headlights that are tied together with a thin, sleek light strip. The retractable door handles add a touch of tech-sophistication, and the side profile is muscular without being bulky. The model I chose had 20-inch alloy wheels, which offered just the right balance between road presence and comfort.

Honestly, even parked, the Voyah Free looks like it’s ready to pounce.

Voyah Free The Cabin: Where Comfort Meets Intelligence

If the outside wowed me, the interior completely floored me. The cabin is where the Voyah Free truly flexes its premium muscles.

Let’s start with the dashboard—a stunning single pane of glass housing three 12.3-inch screens that spring to life when you start the car. The digital instrument cluster, infotainment, and passenger display feel futuristic, yet they’re surprisingly easy to navigate.

The seats are nothing short of incredible. I’m talking ventilated, heated, massaging front seats with full recline—perfect for charging breaks or just catching your breath during a hectic day. Rear passengers aren’t forgotten either: they get their own touchscreen climate controls and an impressive amount of legroom.

Materials throughout the cabin are high-end—leather, soft-touch plastics, and brushed metal details create an environment that feels far more expensive than the car’s actual price tag.

Voyah Free Powertrain Options: EV or EREV? I Drove Both

One of the things I love about the Voyah Free is that it gives you options—pure electric or extended range electric vehicle (EREV). I had the chance to test both.

🟢 The EV Variant

With dual electric motors producing a staggering 684 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, this car launches like a beast. 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds is no joke, especially for a vehicle of this size. The battery—106 kWh usable capacity—offered me a real-world range of about 450–480 km, which is impressive given my heavy foot and a mix of highway and urban driving.

The regen braking is intuitive and adjustable, and the all-wheel-drive system makes the SUV feel planted even in adverse weather.

🟡 The EREV Version (Voyah Free 318)

The 2024 Free 318 EREV is a game changer. It combines a 43 kWh battery with a 1.5-liter turbocharged range-extending engine, offering up to 318 km of pure electric driving (CLTC) and a mind-blowing combined range of 1,458 km.

In day-to-day life, I was using it as a pure EV for city commutes. The engine rarely kicked in unless I was on a road trip. And when it did, it was smooth—almost imperceptible. For people who aren’t quite ready to go full electric or worry about charging infrastructure, this model is the perfect transitional vehicle.

Driving Dynamics: A Surprise in Every Turn

I wasn’t expecting this much driving pleasure from a 2.3-ton electric SUV. But the Voyah Free’s adaptive air suspension and low center of gravity made for a surprisingly agile ride.

In sport mode, the throttle response sharpens, the steering firms up, and you genuinely forget you’re in an SUV. I even took it on a few mountain roads and it held its own beautifully.

On highways, cruise control combined with lane centering assist makes it an effortless cruiser. In the city, the car is composed and quiet, and the numerous camera angles and sensors made parking a breeze—even in tight spots.

The ride comfort? Best in class. The suspension soaks up potholes, and the cabin remains whisper-quiet even at high speeds thanks to double-glazed glass and exceptional insulation.

Voyah Free Tech & Infotainment: Everything You Need and More

The infotainment system, while a bit overwhelming at first glance, quickly became second nature. It runs on a responsive operating system, supports over-the-air updates, and features advanced voice commands that actually work. Whether I wanted to adjust the AC or open the sunroof, a simple voice command was all it took.

One unique feature is the passenger entertainment screen with a privacy filter—perfect for road trips or when your co-pilot wants to stream content without distracting the driver.

The system supports wireless CarPlay, and there are two wireless charging pads, multiple USB-C ports, and even a 220V outlet.

Voyah Free Charging & Efficiency: Not Just Numbers, Real World Proof

Charging the Voyah Free EV version was easy. At home, I used a 11 kW AC wall box, which fully recharged the battery overnight in about 10–11 hours. On road trips, I relied on DC fast charging (up to 100 kW). In just 30–35 minutes, I was able to go from 10% to 80%, which is ideal for grabbing a coffee and stretching my legs.

The EREV model, as you can imagine, added total peace of mind. I drove over 900 km on a weekend trip without needing to think twice about charging—and still had fuel left.

Voyah Free Energy consumption varied with my driving habits. On average:

• EV model: 21.3 kWh/100km
• EREV (electric only): 20.5–23.1 kWh/100km

Voyah Free Storage, Practicality & Family Readiness

The Voyah Free is a family-ready SUV. The boot space is generous (around 560 liters), and with the rear seats folded, I was able to haul furniture, groceries, and even a small bike. There’s also a small frunk that I used for cables and emergency supplies.

The cabin has loads of storage compartments—deep door bins, a massive center console, cup holders everywhere, and hidden compartments under the floor in the boot.

Child seat installation was straightforward, and the rear seat space is ample even with two car seats installed.

Safety & Assistance Systems: Fully Loaded

Safety-wise, the Voyah Free is packed with advanced features. Some of the standouts:

• Level 2+ autonomous driving features
• Adaptive cruise control
• Automatic emergency braking
• Blind spot monitoring
• 360-degree cameras
• Automatic parking assist

I felt genuinely secure, whether I was navigating tight city streets or cruising at 130 km/h on the highway.

Voyah Free Pricing & Value: Surprisingly Reasonable

Here’s the kicker—the Voyah Free offers all this at a price significantly lower than competitors like the BMW iX3, Audi Q8 e-tron, or Tesla Model X.

• EV Version (Top Trim): ~€68,000 (based on EU pricing)
• EREV 318 Version: ~$31,500 (China)

Considering the features, performance, and luxury, it feels like you’re getting a €100K vehicle for two-thirds the price.

Final Thoughts: Is the Voyah Free Worth It?

Absolutely.

After months of driving both versions of the Voyah Free, I can confidently say that this SUV hits the sweet spot between innovation, practicality, and performance. Whether you’re an early EV adopter, a tech lover, or a family-oriented driver looking for a premium experience without the luxury tax—this car delivers.

There are a few quirks. The infotainment UI could be cleaner. Availability outside China is still limited, and brand recognition isn’t there yet in Europe or the US. But honestly, those are small trade-offs in an otherwise outstanding package.

Read more about Voyah Free and book a test drive here