Dongfeng 007 vs Toyota Corolla

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

Dongfeng 007 in South Africa

Dongfeng 007

007 E2 540 Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 929,000 ex-showroom
⚡ 400 kW 🔧 640 Nm
VS
Toyota Corolla in South Africa

Toyota Corolla

1.8 HEV XR CVT Hybrid CVT Current
ZAR 590,200 ex-showroom
⚡ 103 kW 🔧 142 Nm ⛽ 25.6 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Dongfeng 007 vs Toyota Corolla: the short answer

007 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Corolla remains close.

Corolla starts ZAR 208,800 cheaper 007 from ZAR 799,000 · Corolla from ZAR 590,200

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification 007 Corolla
Maximum Power 007400 kW Corolla103 kW
Maximum Torque 007640 Nm Corolla142 Nm
Engine Size 007Not Applicable Corolla1798 cc
Combined Fuel Economy 007Not Applicable Corolla25.6 km/l
Ground Clearance 007150 mm Corolla130 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

007

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to: Published Performance Published Practicality

Corolla

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Which One's Right for You?

007

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Corolla

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec 007 Corolla
Model Introduced Year 2026 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African 007 generation Current South African Corolla listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Current South African launch version; no local facelift announced Model-year updates can affect trim, wheels, screens, safety equipment and colours. Use the latest South African price list when checking a specific vehicle.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Sedan Sedan
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status active active
Segment Electric Fastback Sedan Sedan
Vehicle Type Passenger Vehicle Sedan
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Top grade in the South Africa lineup
Tare Mass Kg - 1405 kg
Spec 007 Corolla
Length 4880 mm 4630 mm
Width 1895 mm 1780 mm
Height 1460 mm 1435 mm
Wheelbase 2915 mm 2700 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 150 mm 130 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 135 mm 125 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 43 l
Boot/Cargo Space 452 l 470 l
Kerb Weight 500 kg 1430 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 500 kg 1845 kg
Payload Capacity 500 kg 440 kg
Towing Capacity 1500 kg 1600 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 4 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 990 mm 997 mm
Rear Headroom 945 mm 948 mm
Front Legroom 1060 mm 1050 mm
Rear Legroom 930 mm 882 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This 007 and Corolla comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: 007 100 vs Corolla 46.

Efficiency index: 007 31 vs Corolla 96.

Safety-equipment index: 007 95 vs Corolla 90.

Practicality index: 007 60 vs Corolla 59.

Ownership-cover index: 007 not separately scored vs Corolla 43.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

007 leads by 8 points

007 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while Corolla remains close.

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 8 points
Data 83% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

007

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Performance 100 Check Efficiency 31
Performance 100
Efficiency 31
Safety 95
Practicality 60
Leads by 8 points
67
#2

Corolla

73% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 96 Check Ownership 43
Performance 46
Efficiency 96
Safety 90
Practicality 59
Ownership 43
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance 007 +54 Efficiency Corolla +65 Safety 007 +5 Practicality 007 +1

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

007

Performance 100/100
Efficiency 31/100
Safety 95/100
Practicality 60/100

Corolla

Performance 46/100
Efficiency 96/100
Safety 90/100
Practicality 59/100
Ownership 43/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Dongfeng 007 leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 67 pts for Corolla

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, 007 leads. However, Corolla may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

007
007
VS
Civic RS
Civic RS
007 vs Civic RS →
007
007
VS
2 Series Gran Coupé
2 Series Gran Coupé
007 vs 2 Series Gran Coupé →
007
007
VS
GR86
GR86
007 vs GR86 →
007
007
VS
A-Class
A-Class
007 vs A-Class →
007
007
VS
ES
ES
007 vs ES →
007
007
VS
3 Series
3 Series
007 vs 3 Series →
Corolla
Corolla
VS
Civic RS
Civic RS
Corolla vs Civic RS →
Corolla
Corolla
VS
2 Series Gran Coupé
2 Series Gran Coupé
Corolla vs 2 Series Gran Coupé →

007 vs Corolla questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.