Verdict
At RM100,000, the Dongfeng Box undercuts the RM103,800 GAC GS3 by RM3,800 and brings a 42.3-kWh battery, 430-km EV range and RM50 annual road tax. Its 94-hp, 160-Nm motor suits buyers able to charge at home or work, with 70-kW DC charging and 3.6-kW V2L useful extras. The GS3 is the roomier 4,410-mm SUV, with a 341-litre boot, 177 hp and 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine. It also gets blind-spot monitoring and smartphone integration, but road tax is RM120 a year.
The GS3 Premium R CKD (RM126,800) sits above every Box variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if EV charging is practical for you and you want the lower RM100,000 entry price, 430-km range, V2L and seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you need a larger SUV body, a 341-litre boot, 177 hp and 270 Nm, plus blind-spot monitoring and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; GAC GS3 RM103,800.
- Powertrain: Dongfeng Box 94 hp/160 Nm electric motor; GAC GS3 177 hp/270 Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine.
- Range or fuel storage: Dongfeng Box 42.3-kWh battery and 430-km range; GAC GS3 47-litre fuel tank.
- Size and boot: Dongfeng Box is 4,030 mm long with a 326-litre boot; GAC GS3 is 4,410 mm long with a 341-litre boot.
- Road tax: Dongfeng Box RM50 per year; GAC GS3 RM120 per year.
- Warranty: Dongfeng Box seven years/unlimited mileage plus eight-year/unlimited-mileage battery cover; GAC GS3 five years/150,000 km.
Box
- 42.3-kWh battery, 430-km range and 70-kW DC charging.
- 3.6-kW V2L, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- Seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty; RM50 annual road tax.
- 94 hp and 160 Nm versus the GS3's 177 hp and 270 Nm.
- Smaller 326-litre boot versus 341 litres.
- No blind-spot information system or wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm from a 1.5-litre turbo engine; 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.
- Larger 4,410-mm SUV body and 341-litre boot.
- Blind-spot information system, powered driver's seat and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- Costs RM3,800 more and has RM120 annual road tax versus RM50.
- Five-year/150,000-km warranty is shorter than the Box's seven-year unlimited-mileage cover.
- No 360-degree camera, auto parking or V2L.
What the Box has over the GS3
What the GS3 has over the Box
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The GS3 is 40 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000✓ | RM103,800 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM120 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,020/mo✓ | RM1,060/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,848✓ | RM2,978 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM874 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM4.37 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM18,860 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 6.4 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 40 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,497 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| 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 | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.5 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,600 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,370 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres | 341 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Continental UC6 SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) |
| 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 |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| 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 |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 150,000 km |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Box & GS3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
Dongfeng Box
Box vs GS3 FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or GAC GS3 better?
The Dongfeng Box is the better choice for buyers with reliable charging who want 430-km EV range, V2L and lower road tax. Choose the GAC GS3 for its larger SUV body, stronger 177-hp turbo engine, bigger boot and blind-spot monitoring.
What is the price difference?
The Dongfeng Box costs RM100,000 and the GAC GS3 costs RM103,800, so the GS3 is RM3,800 more expensive.
Which has the better warranty?
The Dongfeng Box has the stronger cover: seven years with unlimited mileage for the first owner, plus an eight-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty. The GAC GS3 has a five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty.
How long does charging take?
The Box's 42.3 kWh battery takes about 6.4 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 40 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 70 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The GS3 is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Box is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.