Verdict
The Dongfeng Box is the more distinctive urban choice: its 94 hp, 160 Nm motor, 42.3 kWh battery and 430 km EV range bring EV running without giving up five seats. Its RM50 annual road tax also undercuts the Toyota’s RM120. But the Toyota Yaris Cross better suits a Malaysian household carrying people and luggage, with a 471-litre boot against 326 litres, rear air vents and a split-folding rear bench. The Box has a longer 2,660 mm wheelbase, yet the Yaris Cross is 280 mm longer and brings more comprehensive airbag coverage.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if home or workplace charging is available and you want 430 km EV range, 3.6 kW V2L and a seven-year vehicle warranty.
Pick the Toyota Yaris Cross if you need the 471-litre boot, rear-seat conveniences and its wider spread of passive-safety equipment.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Dongfeng Box has a 94 hp/160 Nm electric motor; Toyota Yaris Cross has a 105 hp/138 Nm 1,496 cc petrol engine.
- Range and refuelling: Dongfeng Box has a 42.3 kWh battery with 430 km range; Toyota Yaris Cross has a 42-litre petrol tank.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box has 326 litres; Toyota Yaris Cross has 471 litres.
- Length: Dongfeng Box is 4,030 mm; Toyota Yaris Cross is 4,310 mm.
- Annual road tax: Dongfeng Box is RM50; Toyota Yaris Cross is RM120.
- Wheels: Dongfeng Box uses 17-inch alloys with 215/55R17 tyres; Toyota Yaris Cross uses 18-inch two-tone alloys with 215/55R18 tyres.
Box
- 430 km EV range from a 42.3 kWh battery
- 3.6 kW vehicle-to-load function
- Auto parking and 360-degree camera
- 326-litre boot is 145 litres smaller
- Only driver and front-passenger airbags are listed
- No rear air vents or split-folding rear seat
Yaris Cross
- 471-litre boot with 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Front side and front/rear curtain airbags, plus blind-spot monitoring
- Rear air vents, rear USB ports and a powered boot
- RM120 annual road tax versus RM50
- No autonomous braking or auto-parking function listed
- Five-year vehicle warranty versus seven years
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000 | RM99,900✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50✓ | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 105 hp |
| Torque | — | 138 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 72.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 11.5 |
| 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 | CVT Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 140 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,310 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,770 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,655 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,620 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,150 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 42 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres | 471 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 215/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | Steel 195/65R16 Tyre |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Toyo Proxes R61 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" 2-tone Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 18" 2-tone Alloy |
| 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 |
| 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 | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | — | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | 8-way Power Adjustable Driver's Seat, Manual Adjustable Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Centre Armrest |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control System |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB, 2 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 4-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Driver's Side 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 | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | — | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes, With 360 Degree Camera |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| 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 & Yaris Cross for sale
Box vs Yaris Cross FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Toyota Yaris Cross better?
The Yaris Cross is the better all-round family choice for its 471-litre boot, rear vents and broader airbag provision. Choose the Box instead if you can charge regularly and prioritise its 430 km EV range, V2L function and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The Dongfeng Box costs RM100,000 and the Toyota Yaris Cross costs RM99,900. The RM100 gap is negligible, so the decision should rest on charging access, luggage space and equipment.
Which one is better for carrying luggage?
The Toyota Yaris Cross is decisively more useful for luggage: its 471-litre boot is 145 litres larger than the Dongfeng Box’s 326 litres, and it adds a 60:40 split-folding rear seat with centre armrest.