Verdict
At RM100,000, the Dongfeng Box costs RM14,100 more than the Honda City Hatchback, but brings a 42.3 kWh battery, 430 km claimed range, 326-litre boot and a 360-degree camera with auto parking. Its 160 Nm motor torque exceeds the Honda’s 145 Nm, although the City has 119 hp to the Box’s 94 hp and a much higher 195 km/h top speed. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge regularly, the Box is the more tech-heavy EV choice; the City counters with six airbags, a full-size spare and more versatile rear seating.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you can charge an EV regularly and want 430 km range, a 326-litre boot and 360-degree parking assistance.
Pick the Honda City Hatchback if six airbags, ULTRA Seat versatility, a full-size spare tyre and a lower purchase price matter more than EV driving.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; Honda City Hatchback RM85,900.
- Powertrain: Dongfeng Box has one 94 hp, 160 Nm electric motor and a 42.3 kWh battery; Honda City Hatchback has a 1,498 cc 119 hp, 145 Nm petrol engine.
- Range/fuel: Dongfeng Box claims 430 km EV range; Honda City Hatchback has a 40-litre petrol tank.
- Safety: Dongfeng Box has 2 airbags; Honda City Hatchback has 6 airbags.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box has 326 litres; Honda City Hatchback has 289 litres.
- Top speed: Dongfeng Box reaches 140 km/h; Honda City Hatchback reaches 195 km/h.
Box
- 430 km claimed EV range from a 42.3 kWh battery.
- 326-litre boot is 37 litres larger.
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and six front plus six rear parking sensors.
- Costs RM14,100 more than the Honda City Hatchback.
- Only 2 airbags versus the Honda’s 6.
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre.
City Hatchback
- Six airbags and a full-size spare tyre.
- 60:40 split-folding ULTRA Seat rear seating with manual recline.
- 119 hp engine and 195 km/h top speed.
- 289-litre boot is 37 litres smaller than the Box’s.
- No front parking sensors, only 2 rear sensors, and no reverse camera or auto parking.
- Manual air-con and a four-speaker radio, versus the Box’s automatic climate control and 12.8-inch touchscreen.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000 | RM85,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM90 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 119 hp at 6,600 rpm |
| Torque | — | 145 Nm at 4,300 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 73 mm × 89.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 94 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 160 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 42.3 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 430 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 70 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | CVT Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | EarthDreams Technology CVT with G-Design Shift |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Honda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 10.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 195 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,350 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,488 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,149 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres✓ | 289 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full size |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Continental UltraContact UC6 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Honda Sensing |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | Manual Recline, 60:40 Split Folding, ULTRA Seat |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | Radio with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Driver Side One Touch Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | — |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty | — |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Box & City Hatchback for sale
Box vs City Hatchback FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Honda City Hatchback better?
The Honda City Hatchback is the stronger all-round pick for lower entry cost, six airbags and flexible rear seating. Choose the Dongfeng Box instead if regular EV charging, 430 km claimed range, a larger boot and parking technology are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The Dongfeng Box is RM14,100 more expensive than the Honda City Hatchback.
Which has the more practical luggage area?
The Dongfeng Box has the larger conventional boot at 326 litres, against 289 litres for the Honda City Hatchback. The Honda fights back with 60:40 split-folding ULTRA Seat rear seating, while the Box has a one-piece folding rear seat.
