Verdict
At RM100,000, the Dongfeng Box costs just RM20 more than the RM99,980 Mitsubishi Xpander, but they solve very different jobs. The Box is a five-seat EV with a 42.3-kWh battery, 430 km range and 160 Nm motor torque, plus autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and a 360-degree camera. The Xpander counters with seven seats, a 495-litre boot and rear air-con vents, making it the more practical family carrier. Its 1.5-litre petrol motor has 104 hp and 141 Nm; choose it if charging access is not assured.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you need a compact five-seat EV with 430 km of stated range, stronger driver-assistance equipment and a 7-year vehicle warranty.
Pick the Mitsubishi Xpander if you need seven seats, a 495-litre boot, rear air-con vents and a full-size spare tyre.
Key differences
- Price: Dongfeng Box RM100,000; Mitsubishi Xpander RM99,980.
- Seating and boot space: Dongfeng Box 5 seats and 326 litres; Mitsubishi Xpander 7 seats and 495 litres.
- Powertrain: Dongfeng Box 94-hp/160-Nm electric motor with a 42.3-kWh battery; Mitsubishi Xpander 104-hp/141-Nm 1,499-cc petrol engine.
- Length and wheelbase: Dongfeng Box 4,030 mm and 2,660 mm; Mitsubishi Xpander 4,475 mm and 2,775 mm.
- Driver assistance: Dongfeng Box has autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control; Mitsubishi Xpander has none of the first two and…
- Road tax: Dongfeng Box RM50 per year; Mitsubishi Xpander RM120 per year.
Box
- 430 km stated EV range from a 42.3-kWh battery
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control
- 360-degree camera, auto parking and six front plus six rear parking sensors
- Only five seats and 326 litres of boot space versus seven seats and 495 litres
- No rear air-con vents or blower control
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare tyre
Xpander
- Seven seats with split-folding second- and third-row seats
- 495-litre boot and rear air-con vents with blower control
- Full-size spare tyre, plus alarm and immobiliser
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- Only two rear parking sensors and no front sensors or auto parking
- 5-year vehicle warranty versus the Box's 7-year coverage
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000 | RM99,980✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | MPV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC naturally-aspirated, variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,499 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 104 hp |
| Torque | — | 141 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 75 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 10.5 |
| 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 | — | 4AT |
| Gears | — | 4 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Jatco |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,475 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,750 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,720 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,775 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,240 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 45 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 7 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres | 495 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 205/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Bridgestone Ecopia 150 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger | Driver and Passenger |
| 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 | 7 Three-point |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available for two outer middle row passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Projectors |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | Second row 60:40 Split Fold, Third row 50:50 Split Fold |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Manual Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents with Blower Control |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Middle Row, 2 Last Row |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 9" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Electroluminescent Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty | — |
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 & Xpander for sale
Box vs Xpander FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Mitsubishi Xpander better?
The Box is better for EV running, 430 km stated range and active safety equipment. The Xpander is better for carrying people and luggage, with seven seats, a 495-litre boot, rear vents and a full-size spare.
What is the price difference?
The Dongfeng Box is RM20 more expensive than the Mitsubishi Xpander. That is a negligible gap, so the five-seat EV versus seven-seat petrol MPV decision matters far more than the purchase price.
Which has the better safety and parking equipment?
The Dongfeng Box has the stronger set: autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist, collision warning, a 360-degree camera, auto parking and six sensors at each end. The Xpander has a reverse camera and two rear parking sensors.