Verdict
At RM100,000, the Dongfeng Box is RM3,800 below the RM103,800 GAC GS3 and brings a 42.3-kWh battery, 430-km range and RM50 annual road tax. Its 2,660-mm wheelbase is 10 mm longer, yet the GS3 is the more substantial load carrier: 341 litres versus 326 litres, a 60:40 rear bench and 1.5-litre turbo output of 177 hp and 270 Nm. The Box counters with a seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty, 360-degree camera and auto parking. The decision hinges on the Box’s 70-kW DC charging against the GS3’s petrol powertrain.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you can charge regularly and want 430 km of EV range, lower RM50 road tax, auto parking and longer warranty cover.
Pick the GAC GS3 if you need the larger 341-litre boot, 60:40-folding rear seats, 177 hp and 270 Nm petrol performance.
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
- Energy storage: Dongfeng Box 42.3-kWh battery with 430-km range; GAC GS3 47-litre fuel tank
- DC charging: Dongfeng Box 70 kW; GAC GS3 petrol refuelling
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box 326 litres; GAC GS3 341 litres
- Warranty: Dongfeng Box seven years/unlimited mileage; GAC GS3 five years/150,000 km
Box
- 430-km EV range from a 42.3-kWh battery
- 70-kW DC charging, 3.6-kW V2L and auto parking
- Seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty plus eight-year unlimited-mileage battery warranty
- Lower 94 hp and 160 Nm output than the GS3’s 177 hp and 270 Nm
- Smaller 326-litre boot and one-piece rear seat
- No blind spot information system
GS3
- 177 hp and 270 Nm from its 1.5-litre turbo engine
- 341-litre boot with 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Blind spot information system, powered driver’s seat and steering reach adjustment
- Costs RM3,800 more and annual road tax is RM120 versus RM50
- Five-year/150,000-km warranty is shorter than the Box’s seven-year unlimited-mileage cover
- No front parking sensors or auto parking
| 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 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,497 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp |
| Torque | — | 270 Nm |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger | 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.
Used Box & GS3 for sale
Box vs GS3 FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or GAC GS3 better?
The Dongfeng Box suits drivers with regular charging, offering 430 km of EV range, 70-kW DC charging and lower road tax. The GAC GS3 is better for buyers prioritising 177 hp, 270 Nm, a larger boot and split-folding rear seats.
What is the price difference?
The GAC GS3 costs RM3,800 more than the Dongfeng Box. Its annual road tax is also RM70 higher, at RM120 versus RM50.
Which has the more practical luggage area?
The GAC GS3 has the more practical boot: 341 litres versus 326 litres in the Dongfeng Box, plus 60:40 split-folding rear seats. The Box uses a one-piece folding rear seat.