Verdict
The Dongfeng Box costs RM100,000, RM4,468 less than the RM104,468 MG S5, yet its 42.3-kWh battery is rated for 430 km against the MG’s 340 km. That makes the Box the stronger range-led hatchback choice, with lower RM50 annual road tax and 3.6-kW V2L. The MG counters with a 168-hp, 250-Nm rear motor, 120-kW DC charging, a 453-litre boot and far fuller passive safety provision. For Malaysian family use and faster highway charging, the extra money is justified.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if maximum 430-km range, lower RM50 road tax and a RM4,468 saving matter more than boot space and performance.
Pick the MG S5 if you need its 453-litre boot, 120-kW DC charging, 168 hp and seven airbags including curtain and driver’s knee airbags.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; MG S5 RM104,468.
- EV range: Dongfeng Box 430 km; MG S5 340 km.
- Motor output: Dongfeng Box 94 hp and 160 Nm; MG S5 168 hp and 250 Nm.
- DC charging: Dongfeng Box 70 kW; MG S5 120 kW.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box 326 litres; MG S5 453 litres.
- Airbags: Dongfeng Box has driver and front-passenger airbags; MG S5 adds front side, front and rear curtain, plus driver’s knee airbags.
Box
- 430-km EV range from a 42.3-kWh battery.
- RM4,468 lower purchase price and RM50 annual road tax.
- 3.6-kW V2L, 360-degree camera and auto parking.
- 70-kW DC charging trails the MG S5’s 120 kW.
- 326-litre boot is 127 litres smaller than the MG S5’s.
- Only two airbags versus the MG S5’s seven-airbag provision.
S5
- 168 hp and 250 Nm, with rear-wheel drive and a 7.0-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 453-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- 120-kW DC charging, rear air vents, wireless phone charger and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.
- 340-km EV range is 90 km behind the Dongfeng Box.
- Costs RM4,468 more, while annual road tax is RM120 versus RM50.
- 2.5-kW V2L output is lower than the Box’s 3.6 kW.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000✓ | RM104,468 |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 94 hp | 168 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 160 Nm | 250 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 42.3 kWh | 49 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 430 km✓ | 340 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 7 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 70 kW | 120 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | 2.5 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 7.0 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,476 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,849 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,730 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres | 453 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/60R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Bridgestone Turanza T005 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Black Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Black Alloys |
| 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, Driver's Knee Airbag |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 Outer Two 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 | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Fabric; Six-way Manual Driver Seat, Four-way Manual Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB-C Front, 1 USB-C Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | — | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 12.8" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 7 years |
| Warranty Notes | Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty | Battery pack 8-yr/180,000 km; motor control unit 8-yr/160,000 km |
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 & S5 for sale
Box vs S5 FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or MG S5 better?
The MG S5 is better for performance, boot space, charging speed and safety equipment. The Dongfeng Box is the better buy if its 430-km range, RM100,000 price and lower RM50 annual road tax are your priorities.
What is the price difference?
The MG S5 costs RM104,468, which is RM4,468 more than the Dongfeng Box at RM100,000.
Which one charges faster?
The MG S5 charges faster on DC power at up to 120 kW, versus 70 kW for the Dongfeng Box. Their AC rates are close: 7 kW for the MG and 6.6 kW for the Dongfeng.