Verdict
The Dongfeng Box is the sensible Malaysian pick at RM100,000: it is RM93,888 cheaper, carries five people through five doors and has a 326-litre boot. Its 42.3-kWh battery is rated for 430 km, 28 km more than the MINI Electric despite the latter’s larger 54.2-kWh pack. The MINI answers with far stronger performance from 215 hp and 330 Nm, plus 11-kW AC and 95-kW DC charging. It also gets six airbags, adaptive LED headlamps and a 60:40 rear seat, but its three-door, four-seat layout is a real compromise.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you want the lower RM100,000 entry price, five seats, 326 litres of boot space and 430 km of stated range.
Pick the MINI Electric if you want 215 hp, 330 Nm, faster 11-kW AC and 95-kW DC charging, plus the fuller safety equipment list.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; MINI Electric RM193,888.
- Motor output: Dongfeng Box 94 hp and 160 Nm; MINI Electric 215 hp and 330 Nm.
- Battery and range: Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh and 430 km; MINI Electric 54.2 kWh and 402 km.
- Charging: Dongfeng Box 6.6 kW AC and 70 kW DC; MINI Electric 11 kW AC and 95 kW DC.
- Practicality: Dongfeng Box has five doors, five seats and a 326-litre boot; MINI Electric has three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot.
- Safety: Dongfeng Box has two airbags; MINI Electric has front, front-side and front/rear curtain airbags.
Box
- RM93,888 less expensive to buy.
- 430 km stated range and 3.6-kW V2L.
- Five seats and a 326-litre boot.
- 94 hp and 160 Nm versus 215 hp and 330 Nm.
- 6.6-kW AC and 70-kW DC charging trail the MINI’s 11 kW and 95 kW.
- Two airbags versus the MINI’s six-airbag arrangement.
Electric
- 215 hp, 330 Nm and a 6.7-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 11-kW AC and 95-kW DC charging.
- Six airbags, blind-spot information system and adaptive LED headlamps.
- RM193,888 price is RM93,888 higher.
- 402 km stated range is 28 km below the Dongfeng Box.
- Three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot are less practical.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000✓ | RM193,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM200 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 94 hp | 215 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 160 Nm | 330 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 42.3 kWh | 54.2 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 430 km✓ | 402 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 70 kW | 95 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | — | 6.7 seconds |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | 170 km/h✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 3,858 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,756 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,460 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,526 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,605 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 3 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres✓ | 210 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 225/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Maxxis Premitra 5 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" Night Flash Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Assist) |
| 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 | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point belts |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats, Front Passenger Seat |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | For Front Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Adaptive LED Projector with High Beam Assist |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Powered Front Seats with Driver's Side Memory and Massage Function |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 2 USB C, 1 Wireless Charger |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 1 Rear |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 9.4" OLED Display with MINI OS, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Harman Kardon Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Two Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Flip Switch |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | — | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Active Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, with 360-degree View Monitor |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Mileage Extended | — | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 2 years |
| Warranty Extended | — | 2 years |
| Warranty Notes | Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty | 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty, Repair Inclusive extendable up to 5 years |
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 & Electric for sale
Box vs Electric FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or MINI Electric better?
The Dongfeng Box is better for price, space and stated range: RM100,000, five seats, 326 litres and 430 km. The MINI Electric is better for performance, charging and safety equipment, with 215 hp, 95-kW DC charging and six airbags.
What is the price difference?
The MINI Electric costs RM193,888 and the Dongfeng Box costs RM100,000, so the gap is RM93,888. The MINI also has RM200 annual road tax versus RM50 for the Dongfeng Box.
Which is more practical for a family?
The Dongfeng Box is more practical on its dimensions and layout. It has five doors, five seats and 326 litres of boot space, while the MINI Electric has three doors, four seats and a 210-litre boot.