Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper: ideal entry-level truck

The Dongfeng Rich 7 — particularly its 4X4 Upper variant — looks to prove that not all big rides cost big bucks. 

Zigwheels Philippines was able to spend some short but sweet time with the said model, and here is why we believe it is a good entry-level pickup truck. 

Road presence 

For obvious reasons, pickup trucks offer better road presence than smaller cars like compact hatchbacks, sedans, crossovers, and even multi-purpose vehicles. 

Not only are they longer, wider, and taller, but they usually come with striking exterior appointments that catch the attention of other motorists. 

In the case of the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper, it uses its beefy body alongside discreet exterior features to strike a good balance between “big truck” vibes and “not-too-flashy” daily commuter. 

At the fore is a huge black grille where the carmaker’s emblem proudly sits. The Dongfeng badge is finished in chrome, as well as the trims surrounding the latticework, and the garnish that connects the two headlamps. 

On its chin is a skid plate that helps add character and some layer of protection to the pickup truck should one take it off the paved path. 

Its flanks boast a simple design without the typical claddings (plastic wheel arches and lower door garnishes) found on most trucks and sport utility vehicles. Adding some flair to the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper’s side profile are a handful of tasteful exterior appointments, which come in the form of large step boards, roof rails, some chrome door handles and lower window trims, as well as blacked out B-pillars and side mirrors (with repeaters). 

Noticeable too from this angle are its large 18-inch two-tone wheels shod in chunky 255/60R series tires. Mudflaps found on both the front and rear wheels help keep the sides of the pickup truck clean, especially if one’s ride is finished in white. 

From behind, the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper has a simple-looking tailgate adorned with a chrome “Dongfeng” badge, a shiny “Rich 7” nameplate, and a chrome handle. 

It also has sports bars with tie hooks to help keep large items safe during transport. The rear bars too come with railings that protect the rear glass — although it slightly covers the truck’s third brake lamp — from large objects, saving its owners from suffering a shattered window. 

Rounding up the features that can be seen at the back are large rectangular taillights. 

Overall, the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper is a pickup truck that looks at home in both urban and rural settings. The author appreciates that it has just the right amount of features for it to look handsome without being too much. 

Here are its dimensions: 

Dimensions (LxWxH in millimeters [mm>)	5,287 x 1,850 x 1,847
Wheelbase (in mm)	3,150
Ground clearance (in mm)	209
Payload capacity (in kilograms)	1,000
Approach angle (in degrees)	32
Departure angle (in degrees)	25

 

Interior aesthetics, passenger comfort 

The cabin of the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper offers a mix of both modern and classic touches, which could satisfy the taste of today’s gentlemen. 

On that note, one will find seats swathed with leather covers. Some kind of quilting and perforation is applied to the upholstery, which helps them promote airflow and add a dash of style to the plush seating. 

The same leather material can be found on the door cards as well as on the wide center armrest, which provides occupants with a generous space for stowing their daily carry items. Matching the brown hide applied on most of the interior surfaces are earth-hued hard plastics as well as mellow gold accents on the air conditioning vents. The same trims border the controls found on the truck’s center console. 

Speaking of which, the center stack — which is finished in piano black — is where one will find the gear lever, drive mode selector, electronic parking brake button, auto hold control, and drivetrain knob. While it may appear stylish after one’s trip to the detailer, it could start to bother some drivers after a while, as it can visibly show dust and fingerprints gathered over time. 

The same gold accents are also placed on the electronic switches on the driver’s side. These control the windows as well as the side mirrors. 

Finally, the dashboard and the doors get faux wooden trims. This kind of holds the cabin’s aesthetics together and ties the modern rugged theme quite nicely. For those who want a whiff of fresh air while they’re enjoying the vibe, a small sunroof can be found overhead. 

Decent tech 

Facing the driver is a multi-functional, flat-bottom steering wheel. Past it is an instrument cluster that combines both analog gauges and digital meters, the latter measuring approximately 3.5 inches. 

Some useful and relevant driving information can be seen on the instrument panel, which includes the following: 

• Speedometer
• Tachometer 
• Odometer 
• Fuel meter 
• Estimated range 
• Tire pressure 
• Time 
• Engaged gear 

Sitting beside it is a vertically oriented infotainment unit. The 12-inch LCD touchscreen with CarLink 2.0, which despite the lack of a native app, allows Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity for smartphone integration.  

The overall experience is passable with no noticeable lag when using the screen for navigation or music apps. 

The screen doubles as a monitor for the pickup truck’s 360-degree view camera with a transparent mode. This helps when maneuvering through tight spots and when getting in and out of narrow parking spaces. 

It also has an automatic air conditioning system with dedicated louvers for the rear passengers. A pollen filter is also responsible for maintaining the air quality inside the cabin. These helped ease noontime drives under the scorching sun. 

Reliable power 

Under the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper’s hood is a 2,298-cubic-centimeter, turbocharged diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. 

Here are its performance figures: 

Maximum power (in horsepower)	163
Maximum torque (in Newton-meters)	420

The abovementioned numbers translate to quick launches as well as power sustained throughout the rev range. 

Noticeable was the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper’s smooth acceleration and deceleration when driven on the busy streets of Ortigas, Pasig, or the crowded thoroughfares of Molino, Cavite. Movement at low speeds felt relaxed, and the elevated height made braving the traffic quite easy. Likewise, the thick tires helped absorb road imperfections, which added to the truck’s overall ride quality. 

Meanwhile, the vehicle took only seconds to reach freeway pace when driven on the South Luzon Expressway. Some level of foot pressure is needed for quick acceleration, but maintaining power at higher speeds requires very minimal footwork. 

When it comes to halts and deceleration, the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper relies on ventilated disc brakes at the front and solid disc brakes at the rear. 

Noise penetrating the cabin is expected, as well as some body roll when taking on corners and bends. It uses a double wishbone with a stabilizer bar at the front and has a leaf spring setup at the back. 

A busy schedule did not give the writer the opportunity to field the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper on rough roads. However, we believe that it will be a competent companion for conquering challenging terrains, given its four-wheel drive drivetrain. Some off-roading tires are wanted, but owners can upgrade their rubbers or simply pick the range-topping flagship model, which comes with a set of all-terrain tires. 

Basic safety 

Keeping the driver and its passengers safe is a suite of standard technologies offered with the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper. 

This includes features such as the aforementioned 360-degree camera and automatic brake hold. It also has advanced driver assist features like cruise control. 

Verdict 

Priced at P1.488 million, the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper is competitively positioned compared to other pickup trucks in the segment. 

For reference, here are some trucks in the same category: 

Toyota Hilux 2.8 Conquest 4X4 AT	P2.084 million
Isuzu D-Max 3.0 4X4 LS-E AT	P1.995 million
Nissan Navara 2.5 VL 4X4 AT	P1.74 million

That said, the Dongfeng Rich 7 4X4 Upper offers pickup truck buyers a vehicle that will make for a good daily driver or weekender without costing them an arm and a leg. 

It packs features that are good for weekday commutes as well as appointments for weekend adventures. The model is a good entryway for anyone looking to get into larger vehicles without breaking the bank. 

Also read:

Get a Dongfeng EV as low as P88K

Dongfeng Motors PH starts roadshows to tap more customers

Dongfeng Motors PH plans to retail 2k units in 2025

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