Verdict
The Honda City costs RM15,800 less and is the more practical family car: its 519-litre boot is 193 litres larger, and it brings six airbags plus autonomous braking with nighttime pedestrian and cyclist detection. Its 1.5-litre petrol engine also gives 119 hp, a 196 km/h top speed and a 40-litre tank for familiar long-distance use. The Dongfeng Box counters with 330 km of electric range from a 31.45-kWh battery, RM50 annual road tax and a longer 2,650-mm wheelbase. Choose it for home-charging EV use, not for maximum luggage capacity or active-safety coverage.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you can charge regularly and want 330 km of EV range, auto parking and a 12.8-inch touchscreen.
Pick the Honda City if you need a 519-litre boot, six airbags with autonomous braking, and petrol-powered long-distance flexibility.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,700; Honda City RM84,900.
- Powertrain: Dongfeng Box 94-hp/160-Nm electric motor and 31.45-kWh battery; Honda City 119-hp/145-Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine.
- Range or economy: Dongfeng Box 330 km EV range; Honda City 5.6 L/100 km.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box 326 litres; Honda City 519 litres.
- Safety airbags: Dongfeng Box driver and front-passenger airbags; Honda City driver, passenger, front side, and front/rear curtain airbags.
- Top speed: Dongfeng Box 140 km/h; Honda City 196 km/h.
Box
- 330 km EV range and RM50 annual road tax
- 2,650-mm wheelbase with a 1,810-mm body width
- LED projectors, auto parking and 12.8-inch touchscreen
- RM15,800 more expensive
- 326-litre boot is 193 litres smaller
- Two airbags and no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
City
- RM15,800 lower purchase price
- 519-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Six airbags, autonomous braking and steering correction
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM50
- Halogen projector headlamps versus LED projectors
- No auto parking; Dongfeng Box has it
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,700 | RM84,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Sedan |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Dual Variable Valve Timing and Variable Valve Lift |
| Capacity | — | 1,498 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 119 hp |
| Torque | — | 145 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 73 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.6 |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 94 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 160 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 31.45 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 330 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 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 | — | 10.2 seconds |
| Rated Economy | — | 5.6 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 196 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,020 mm | 4,580 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,748 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,467 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,650 mm | 2,600 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,125 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 40 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres | 519 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 185/60R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Steel Wheels | 15" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Steel Wheels | 15" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | — | ✓ |
| 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 Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | — | Yes, with Nighttime Pedestrian Detection and Cyclist Detection |
| Lane-keeping Assist | No | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | — | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Lead Car Departure Notification |
| 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 | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-conditioning |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| 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 Bluetooth and 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Driver Side Auto Up and Down with Anti-pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| 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 Rear | 3 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes, with Multi-angle |
| 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 | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/unlimited mileage Battery Warranty | Free Labour for Five Times within 100,000 km or Five Years |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM90 |
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 for sale
Box vs City FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Honda City better?
The Honda City is the better all-round family choice for its lower price, 519-litre boot and substantially fuller safety kit. The Dongfeng Box suits buyers with regular charging access who specifically want a 330-km EV.
What is the price difference?
The Dongfeng Box costs RM15,800 more than the Honda City: RM100,700 versus RM84,900.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Dongfeng Box has lower annual road tax at RM50, compared with RM90 for the Honda City.