Dongfeng BOX vs Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

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 BOX in South Africa

Dongfeng BOX

BOX E3 430 Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 449,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 70 kW 🔧 160 Nm ⛽ 0 km/l
VS
Isuzu D-Max Double Cab in South Africa

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT Diesel 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 900,310 ex-showroom
⚡ 110 kW 🔧 350 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Dongfeng BOX vs Isuzu D-Max Double Cab: the short answer

BOX and D-Max Double Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

BOX starts ZAR 174,110 cheaper BOX from ZAR 399,900 · D-Max Double Cab from ZAR 574,010

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification BOX D-Max Double Cab
Maximum Power BOX70 kW D-Max Double Cab110 kW @ 3600 rpm
Maximum Torque BOX160 Nm D-Max Double Cab350 Nm
Engine Size BOXNot Applicable D-Max Double Cab3000 cc
Combined Fuel Economy BOX0 km/l D-Max Double Cab12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance BOX0 mm D-Max Double Cab232 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.

Dongfeng BOX

BOX E3 430

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

Isuzu D-Max Double Cab

3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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)

BOX

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

D-Max Double Cab

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

Which One's Right for You?

BOX

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

D-Max Double Cab

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec BOX D-Max Double Cab
Model Introduced Year 2026 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African generation Current South African D-Max Double Cab listing; generation notes should be kept tied to the local model year and confirmed derivative data.
Facelift History Current launch specification 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 2026 Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style Hatchback Double Cab pickup
Model Year 2026 MY26
Production Status Active active
Segment Electric city hatchback Pickup
Vehicle Type Hatchback Pickup
Body Type Cab - Single/extended/double cab as per derivative name
Color Note - Colour availability changes by model year, production batch and dealer stock, check the current colour selector before ordering.
Dealer Stock Note - Flagship grade in the South Africa lineup
Drivetrain Note - Drive layout derived from the official derivative naming: 3.0 DDi Double Cab 4x4 LSE AT
Gross Combined Mass Kg - 6000 kg
Tare Mass Kg - 2070 kg
Spec BOX D-Max Double Cab
Length 4020 mm 5333 mm
Width 1810 mm 1880 mm
Height 1570 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2663 mm 3125 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 232 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 140 mm 220 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 76 l
Boot/Cargo Space 326 l 1000 l
Kerb Weight 1370 kg 2070 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1820 kg 3100 kg
Payload Capacity 450 kg 970 kg
Towing Capacity 750 kg 3500 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 12.5 m
Front Headroom 1000 mm 1005 mm
Rear Headroom 950 mm 975 mm
Front Legroom 1050 mm 1060 mm
Rear Legroom 900 mm 900 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This BOX and D-Max Double Cab 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: BOX 36 vs D-Max Double Cab 64.

Efficiency index: BOX 90 vs D-Max Double Cab 49.

Safety-equipment index: BOX 70 vs D-Max Double Cab 44.

Practicality index: BOX 47 vs D-Max Double Cab 91.

Ownership-cover index: BOX not separately scored vs D-Max Double Cab 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.

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

D-Max Double Cab leads by 5 points

BOX and D-Max Double Cab are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 63 /100
Lead 5 points
Data 75% source coverage
63
#1 Evidence leader

D-Max Double Cab

75% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Practicality 91 Check Safety 44
Performance 64
Efficiency 49
Safety 44
Practicality 91
Leads by 5 points
58
#2

BOX

64% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 90 Check Performance 36
Performance 36
Efficiency 90
Safety 70
Practicality 47
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance D-Max Double Cab +28 Efficiency BOX +41 Safety BOX +26 Practicality D-Max Double Cab +44

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

D-Max Double Cab

Performance 64/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 44/100
Practicality 91/100

BOX

Performance 36/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 70/100
Practicality 47/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Isuzu D-Max Double Cab leads the specification evidence index with 63 pts vs 58 pts for BOX

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, D-Max Double Cab leads. However, BOX may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

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BOX vs D-Max Double Cab 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.