Are the Lingzhi Plus and CM7 the same model?

[McVincent]

Lingzhi Plus and CM7 are not the same model. Below is extended information about the Fengxing Lingzhi: 1. Styling: It maintains Mitsubishi SPACEGEAR's rounded and full-bodied design, featuring Fengxing's signature short front end that stands out remarkably. Paired with fashionable large-sized headlights with pure black base covers, it unexpectedly enhances the sporty feel of the body design. The sense of fashion Fengxing aims to present to users indeed achieves its intended effect. The exquisite paintwork ensures the streamlined body retains just the right aesthetic appeal from every angle, with a rich sense of layering. Viewed from above, the panoramic five-skylight design covering 1.7 square meters adds a unique highlight to the otherwise plain roof. 2. Interior: It exudes a strong Japanese style throughout. The dashboard adopts a split design with simple and clean large-curve transitions, featuring a color scheme of black and silver-gray dual tones. The absence of wood-grain interior trim seems more fitting for this vehicle's positioning. The dashboard is accentuated by silver metal-look plastic decorative panels. The LED self-illuminating instrument panel with red and blue color matching is a rare configuration in vehicles of this price range.

[DiBraxton]

I've researched this issue, and the Lingzhi PLUS and CM7 are indeed not the same vehicle. From a product line perspective, the CM7 was a high-end business MPV series launched by Dongfeng Fengxing in 2014 and was discontinued in 2019. The Lingzhi PLUS, on the other hand, is a new mid-to-large MPV introduced in 2020, serving as an upgraded version of the Lingzhi series. They also feel quite different to drive. The CM7 has a longer body with a higher front engine compartment, designed more for business reception. The Lingzhi PLUS features a flat-nose design, offering better space utilization and is more suitable for both passenger and cargo use. I remember last year when helping a friend inspect a used car, I specifically compared these two models. The CM7's chassis is noticeably lower than the Lingzhi PLUS, making its front bumper prone to scraping against curbs when parking.

[Herbert]

I often enjoy comparing car model specifications. Although both the Lingzhi PLUS and CM7 are 7-seater MPVs, there are significant differences in details. The CM7 has a body length exceeding 5.1 meters and is equipped with a 2.0T turbocharged engine, while the Lingzhi PLUS measures around 5.15 meters in length and primarily uses a 1.6L naturally aspirated engine in its main variant. During my visit to the 4S store for maintenance last week, I also noticed that the currently available Lingzhi PLUS models feature a split-type headlight design, whereas the discontinued older CM7 had a connected headlight and grille integrated styling. In terms of seating arrangement, the Lingzhi PLUS mainly offers a 2+2+3 seating layout, while the top-tier CM7 version comes with independent aviation-style seats with an aisle, providing a completely different level of comfort.

[MiguelAnn]

As a pragmatist, I pay more attention to the actual usage costs. The CM7 has a 73-liter fuel tank with an actual fuel consumption of around 11 liters per 100 km; the Lingzhi PLUS has a 55-liter fuel tank with a combined fuel consumption of about 8.5 liters per 100 km. There is also a significant difference in the price of parts. The LED headlight assembly for the CM7 is quoted at over 4,000 yuan at the 4S shop, while the halogen headlight for the Lingzhi PLUS can be replaced for just 800 yuan. A veteran mechanic at the repair shop told me that the CM7's chassis structure is similar to the old Toyota Alphard, with a multi-link independent rear suspension, which results in higher maintenance costs. On the other hand, the Lingzhi PLUS uses a leaf spring non-independent suspension, making it more suitable for cargo and heavy loads.

[MichaelMarie]

The fundamental difference from the chassis structure perspective: The CM7 adopts a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout with the engine positioned at the front and a driveshaft running through the cabin. In contrast, the Lingzhi PLUS features a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration with the engine installed beneath the driver's seat. During last year's vehicle selection for a logistics company, our actual tests showed that the Lingzhi PLUS's structure results in a more organized cabin space, allowing for two additional boxes of cargo during loading. However, the CM7 offers a quieter driving experience with less noticeable vibration. Additionally, the CM7 has a minimum ground clearance of 165mm, which is slightly inferior to the Lingzhi PLUS's 195mm in terms of off-road capability, requiring more caution when driving on rough roads.

[DeRowan]

The performance of the used car market speaks volumes. The older CM7 model surprisingly maintains a high resale value, still fetching about 60% of its original price after three years, primarily because its starting price was as high as 220,000 yuan. In contrast, the Lingzhi PLUS starts at just over 100,000 yuan new, and its residual value after three years is roughly 40%. The materials used in the body also differ—the CM7 features doors made from single-piece stamped steel, giving a more solid sound when closing, while the Lingzhi PLUS uses welded doors. On a rainy day, I particularly noticed that the CM7's window seals provide better insulation, resulting in significantly less interior fogging compared to the Lingzhi PLUS. These detailed differences highlight that the two models are not in the same product tier.