Verdict
At RM100,000, the Dongfeng Box undercuts the RM119,620 Mazda 3 Hatchback by RM19,620 and brings EV running hardware: a 42.3 kWh battery, 430 km claimed range, 70 kW DC charging and 3.6 kW V2L. Its 326-litre boot is also 31 litres larger. The Mazda is the more substantial C-segment hatch, 430 mm longer with a 65 mm longer wheelbase, a 200 km/h top speed and seven airbags. For Malaysian buyers with dependable charging, the Box is the cheaper, better-packaged EV; the Mazda makes the stronger safety and long-distance case.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you have charging access and want to save RM19,620 while gaining 430 km claimed EV range, a 326-litre boot and 360-degree camera parking assistance.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you prioritise seven airbags, a 200 km/h top speed, multi-link rear suspension and a longer 2,725 mm wheelbase.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620.
- Power and top speed: Dongfeng Box 94 hp, 160 Nm and 140 km/h; Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp, 153 Nm and 200 km/h.
- Energy use: Dongfeng Box has a 42.3 kWh battery with 430 km range; Mazda 3 Hatchback uses 5.9 L/100 km and has a 51-litre fuel tank.
- Size: Dongfeng Box is 4,030 mm long with a 2,660 mm wheelbase; Mazda 3 Hatchback is 4,460 mm long with a 2,725 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box 326 litres; Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres.
- Safety and rear suspension: Dongfeng Box has two airbags and a torsion-beam rear; Mazda 3 Hatchback has seven airbags and a multi-link rear.
Box
- RM19,620 lower purchase price
- 42.3 kWh battery, 430 km range and 70 kW DC charging
- 326-litre boot, 360-degree camera and auto parking
- Only two airbags versus seven
- 140 km/h top speed versus 200 km/h
- One-piece rear seat versus Mazda's 60:40 split-folding seat
3 Hatchback
- Seven airbags, blind-spot monitoring and front/rear Smart City Brake Support
- 200 km/h top speed with 118 hp
- Multi-link rear suspension and 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- RM19,620 higher purchase price
- RM90 annual road tax versus RM50
- 295-litre boot is 31 litres smaller
What the Box has over the 3 Hatchback
What the 3 Hatchback 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 3 Hatchback's wheelbase is 65 mm longer, which usually translates to more rear legroom. Boot space favours the Box: 326 litres against 295.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000✓ | RM119,620 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM90 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,020/mo✓ | RM1,220/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM2,848✓ | RM3,390 |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM874✓ | RM2,348 |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM4.37✓ | RM11.74 |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM18,860✓ | RM29,139 |
| 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, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 118 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 153 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Rated Economy | — | 5.9 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 200 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,460 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,435 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,725 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,368 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres✓ | 295 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | — | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | — | 17 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Rear) | — | 14 inch |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 7 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee) |
| 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes, Smart City Brake Support (SCBS) - Front and Rear |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projector with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 2 USB-C |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Highway & Traffic Jam Assist |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Paddle Shift | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT-LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty | 5-year/100,000 km free service |
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 November 2026.
Used Box & 3 Hatchback for sale
Our reviews & guides
Box vs 3 Hatchback FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Mazda 3 Hatchback better?
The Dongfeng Box is the better buy for home or workplace charging, with 430 km claimed range and more boot space. The Mazda 3 Hatchback is better for buyers who place greater weight on seven airbags, a longer wheelbase and 200 km/h top speed.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback costs RM19,620 more than the Dongfeng Box: RM119,620 against RM100,000.
Which car has the stronger safety specification?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the stronger passive-safety count with seven airbags against the Dongfeng Box's two. Both have autonomous braking, lane-keeping steering correction, collision warning, ABS/EBD and stability control; Mazda also adds blind-spot monitoring.
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 has the better warranty?
The Box carries a 7-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the 3 Hatchback. Box: Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty. 3 Hatchback: 5-year/100,000 km free service.