Verdict
For RM100,000, the Dongfeng Box gives a Malaysian buyer EV running with a 42.3-kWh battery, 430 km quoted range and 3.6-kW V2L, while its 326-litre boot also beats the Mazda’s 295 litres. The RM19,620 dearer Mazda 3 Hatchback is the longer C-segment car at 4,460 mm, yet has 118 hp, a 200 km/h top speed and a materially fuller safety kit, including side, curtain and knee airbags plus blind-spot monitoring. Choose charging access and warranty cover, or pay for the Mazda’s safety hardware and road-speed margin.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you want a RM100,000 EV with 430 km range, 3.6-kW V2L, a larger boot and seven-year unlimited-mileage vehicle warranty.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you prioritise its 200 km/h top speed, multi-link rear suspension and substantially broader passive and active safety equipment.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620.
- Powertrain: Dongfeng Box has one 94 hp/160 Nm motor and 42.3-kWh battery; Mazda has a 1.5-litre 118 hp/153 Nm petrol engine.
- Range/economy: Dongfeng Box quotes 430 km EV range; Mazda 3 Hatchback rates 5.9 L/100 km.
- Top speed: Dongfeng Box 140 km/h; Mazda 3 Hatchback 200 km/h.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box 326 litres; Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres.
- Warranty: Dongfeng Box seven years/unlimited mileage plus eight-year unlimited-mileage battery cover; Mazda 3 Hatchback five years/100,000 km.
Box
- 430 km quoted EV range from a 42.3-kWh battery
- 3.6-kW V2L and 70-kW DC charging
- 326-litre boot and seven-year unlimited-mileage warranty
- Only driver and front-passenger airbags versus the Mazda’s side, curtain and driver’s-knee airbags
- 140 km/h top speed versus 200 km/h
- Torsion-beam rear suspension versus multi-link
3 Hatchback
- 118 hp petrol engine and 200 km/h top speed
- Blind-spot monitoring, auto high beam and front/rear Smart City Brake Support
- Multi-link rear suspension, 18-inch wheels and power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Costs RM19,620 more
- 295-litre boot is 31 litres smaller
- No V2L, while the Dongfeng Box supplies up to 3.6 kW
| 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 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 118 hp |
| Torque | — | 153 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 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 |
| 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 | Driver and Front Passenger | 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.
Used Box & 3 Hatchback for sale
Box vs 3 Hatchback FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Mazda 3 Hatchback better?
The Dongfeng Box is the better fit for EV range, V2L, boot space and longer warranty cover. The Mazda 3 Hatchback is stronger for safety equipment, top speed and rear-suspension design.
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 better safety kit?
The Mazda 3 Hatchback has the fuller safety kit, adding front side, front and rear curtain and driver’s-knee airbags, blind-spot monitoring, auto high beam and front/rear Smart City Brake Support.