Dongfeng BOX vs Geely E5 EM-i

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
Geely E5 EM-i in South Africa

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex Plug-in Hybrid Current
ZAR 679,999 ex-showroom
⚡ 73 kW 🔧 125 Nm
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Dongfeng BOX vs Geely E5 EM-i: the short answer

E5 EM-i has a modest catalogue-index lead, while BOX remains close.

BOX starts ZAR 200,099 cheaper BOX from ZAR 399,900 · E5 EM-i from ZAR 599,999

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification BOX E5 EM-i
Maximum Power BOX70 kW E5 EM-i73 kW
Maximum Torque BOX160 Nm E5 EM-i125 Nm
Engine Size BOXNot Applicable E5 EM-i1499 cc
Combined Fuel Economy BOX0 km/l E5 EM-iNot Officially Disclosed
Ground Clearance BOX0 mm E5 EM-i172 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

Geely E5 EM-i

Apex

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
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

E5 EM-i

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

Which One's Right for You?

BOX

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

E5 EM-i

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

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec BOX E5 EM-i
Model Introduced Year 2026 2025
Generation Current South African generation Current South African model / exact generation number not separately published
Facelift History Current launch specification No applicable South African facelift history established
Facelift Launched Since 2026 Not Applicable
Facelift Version Ending Current Not Applicable
Body Style Hatchback SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Electric city hatchback Passenger vehicle
Vehicle Type Hatchback SUV
Spec BOX E5 EM-i
Length 4020 mm 4740 mm
Width 1810 mm 1905 mm
Height 1570 mm 1685 mm
Wheelbase 2663 mm 2755 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 172 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 140 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 326 l 528 l
Kerb Weight 1370 kg 1770 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 1820 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Payload Capacity 450 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Towing Capacity 750 kg Not Officially Disclosed
Seating Capacity 5 seats Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Rows 2 rows Not Officially Disclosed
Doors 5 doors Not Officially Disclosed
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom 1000 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 950 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom 1050 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 900 mm Not Officially Disclosed

In depth: how these cars differ

This BOX and E5 EM-i 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 E5 EM-i 39.

Efficiency index: BOX 90 vs E5 EM-i 79.

Safety-equipment index: BOX 70 vs E5 EM-i 91.

Practicality index: BOX 47 vs E5 EM-i 71.

Ownership-cover index: BOX not separately scored vs E5 EM-i 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

E5 EM-i leads by 11 points

E5 EM-i has a modest catalogue-index lead, while BOX remains close.

Evidence leader 69 /100
Lead 11 points
Data 55% source coverage
69
#1 Evidence leader

E5 EM-i

55% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 91 Check Performance 39
Performance 39
Efficiency 79
Safety 91
Practicality 71
Leads by 11 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 E5 EM-i +3 Efficiency BOX +11 Safety E5 EM-i +21 Practicality E5 EM-i +24

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

E5 EM-i

Performance 39/100
Efficiency 79/100
Safety 91/100
Practicality 71/100

BOX

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

What the evidence means

Evidence index Geely E5 EM-i leads the specification evidence index with 69 pts vs 58 pts for BOX

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, E5 EM-i leads. However, BOX 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.

BOX
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BOX vs ALCAZAR →
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E5 EM-i vs ALCAZAR →
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E5 EM-i vs HS →

BOX vs E5 EM-i 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.