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.
BOX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.
Alsvin starts ZAR 150,000 cheaperAlsvin from ZAR 249,900 · BOX from ZAR 399,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
Alsvin
BOX
Maximum Power
Alsvin78 kW
BOX70 kW
Maximum Torque
Alsvin145 Nm
BOX160 Nm
Engine Size
Alsvin1500 cc
BOXNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
Alsvin14.49 km/l
BOX0 km/l
Ground Clearance
Alsvin150 mm
BOX0 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
Changan Alsvin
1.5 AT CE
Hagalu editorial rating
3.9/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
Alsvin
Strengths
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower fuel efficiency
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published Practicality
Specification evidence leader
BOX
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
Alsvin
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
BOX
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Model Introduced Year
2025
2026
Generation
Current South African Alsvin generation launched with two locally named derivatives in 2025.
Current South African generation
Facelift History
No South African facelift has been announced since the current range entered local retail sale.
Current launch specification
Facelift Launched Since
Not Applicable
2026
Facelift Version Ending
Not Applicable
Current
Body Style
Sedan
Hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
Active
Segment
Compact sedan
Electric city hatchback
Vehicle Type
Passenger car
Hatchback
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Length
4390 mm
4020 mm
Width
1725 mm
1810 mm
Height
1490 mm
1570 mm
Wheelbase
2535 mm
2663 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
150 mm
0 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
Not Officially Disclosed
140 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
390 l
326 l
Kerb Weight
1069 kg
1370 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1470 kg
1820 kg
Payload Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
450 kg
Towing Capacity
705 kg
750 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
4 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.5 m
5.8 m
Front Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
Not Officially Disclosed
950 mm
Front Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
1050 mm
Rear Legroom
Not Officially Disclosed
900 mm
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Engine
1.5-litre Naturally Aspirated Petrol
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Engine Code
JL473QF
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Petrol
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
1500 cc
Not Applicable
Cylinders
4
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Naturally Aspirated
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
78 kW
70 kW
Maximum Torque
145 Nm
160 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Not Applicable
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Number of Motors
Not Applicable
1
Motor Location
Not Applicable
Front
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
5-Speed DCT
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
180 km/h
140 km/h
0-100 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
10.6 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
42.3 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Applicable
40.2 kWh
Battery Type
Not Applicable
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
Battery Voltage
Not Applicable
400 V
Electric Range
Not Applicable
430 km
AC Charging Power
Not Applicable
11 kW
DC Charging Power
Not Applicable
60 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Not Applicable
Yes
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Gearbox
5-Speed DCT
Single-speed reduction gear
Drivetrain Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
FWD
LSD Available
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Transfer Case
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Paddle Shifters
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Number of Gears
5
1
Transmission Type
DCT
Single-speed reduction gear
Clutch Type
Dual-clutch
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Automatic
Electronic shift-by-wire
Drivetrain
FWD
FWD
4WD Engagement
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Gearbox Type
Dual-Clutch Automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Not Officially Disclosed
Front driven axle
Rear Differential Lock
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Transmission Speeds
5
1
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Claimed Mileage
14.49 km/l
0 km/l
City Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
0 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Officially Disclosed
0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
45 l
0 l
Emission Standard
Euro 5
Zero tailpipe emissions
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
0 l
Auto Start Stop
Yes
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
14.49 km/l
0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Not Officially Disclosed
CCS2 / Type 2
Charging Type
Not Officially Disclosed
DC fast charging | AC charging
Fuel Tank Litres
45
0
Combined Driving Range
Not Officially Disclosed
430
Electric Consumption
Not Officially Disclosed
9.8
Range Real World Highway
Not Officially Disclosed
322 km
Range Real World Mixed
Not Officially Disclosed
366 km
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Airbags
2
6
ABS
Yes
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Traction Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Hill Start Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Brake Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Front seats
Yes
Front Parking Sensors
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
AEB
Not Officially Disclosed
No
BA
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Brake Override System
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Curtain Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Driver Airbag
Yes
Yes
EBD
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Yes
Hill Hold
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Seatbelt Reminder
Front seats
Yes
Side Airbags
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Stability Control
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
TCS
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Officially Disclosed
No
ABS EBD
Yes
Yes
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Cruise Control
Cruise Control
Cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Lane Keep Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Lane Departure Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Blind Spot Monitoring
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Parking Sensors
Rear (3 sensors)
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Driver Fatigue Alert
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Traffic Sign Recognition
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Auto Highbeam
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Auto Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Yes
Reverse Camera
Yes
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Park Assist
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Around View Monitor
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Blind Spot Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Seat Material
Leather and cloth
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Ventilated Seats
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Ambient Lighting
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Steering Wheel Material
Foam with leather trim
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Driver Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Electric adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
4-way manual
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Leather and cloth
Synthetic leather
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Climate Control
Manual air conditioning
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Keyless Entry
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Push Button Start
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Wireless Charging
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
Sunroof
Electric sunroof
No
Electric Tailgate
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Not Officially Disclosed
Yes
AC Type
Manual air conditioning
Automatic climate control
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Infotainment System
7-inch touchscreen
Touchscreen infotainment system
Apple CarPlay
Not Officially Disclosed
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Not Officially Disclosed
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Yes
Number of Speakers
4
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Not Officially Disclosed
Digital instrument cluster
USB Ports
1 front USB port
USB-A | USB-C
Infotainment Screen
7-inch LCD touchscreen
12.8
Touchscreen
7-inch LCD touchscreen
12.8
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
LED Headlamps
Not Available
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
Not Officially Disclosed
LED
Roof Rails
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Exterior Colour Options
Not Officially Disclosed
Multiple Dongfeng factory exterior colours
Headlights
Not Available
Yes
Panoramic Sunroof
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Approach Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Officially Disclosed
No
4WD System Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Tyre Size
185/55 R15
215/55 R17
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Drum
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Not Officially Disclosed
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
15-inch aluminium-alloy wheels
17
Handbrake Type
Mechanical parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Front Suspension
MacPherson
MacPherson strut
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion beam
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
CO2 Emissions
163 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Service Plan
5 years / 75,000 km (standard on CE; optional on CS)
5 Years / 90000 km
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Ownership Role
Current South African derivative
Dongfeng South Africa ownership programme
Price Zar
289900 ZAR
449900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African retail price
South African retail / indicative price reference
Starting Price
289900
449900
Starting Price Zar
289900
449900
Spec
Alsvin
BOX
Warranty
5 years / 150,000 km
5 Years / 150000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This Alsvin and BOX 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: Alsvin 35 vs BOX 36.
Efficiency index: Alsvin 56 vs BOX 90.
Safety-equipment index: Alsvin 32 vs BOX 70.
Practicality index: Alsvin 54 vs BOX 47.
Ownership-cover index: Alsvin not separately scored vs BOX not separately scored.
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.
Model imagery
Alsvin and BOX image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
BOX leads by 15 points
BOX holds a noticeable catalogue-index lead over Alsvin.
Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
BOX
Performance
36/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
70/100
Practicality
47/100
Alsvin
Performance
35/100
Efficiency
56/100
Safety
32/100
Practicality
54/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexDongfeng BOX
leads the specification evidence index with 58 pts
vs 43 pts for Alsvin
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, BOX leads. However, Alsvin 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.
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.
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