Dongfeng BOX vs Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo

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
Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo in South Africa

Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo

1.2 Executive Cargo 4AT Petrol Current
ZAR 299,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 61 kW 🔧 114 Nm ⛽ 16.9 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

Dongfeng BOX vs Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo: the short answer

BOX and Grand i10 Cargo are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Grand i10 Cargo starts ZAR 139,400 cheaper BOX from ZAR 399,900 · Grand i10 Cargo from ZAR 260,500

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification BOX Grand i10 Cargo
Maximum Power BOX70 kW Grand i10 Cargo61 kW
Maximum Torque BOX160 Nm Grand i10 Cargo114 Nm
Engine Size BOXNot Applicable Grand i10 Cargo1197 cc
Combined Fuel Economy BOX0 km/l Grand i10 Cargo16.9 km/l
Ground Clearance BOX0 mm Grand i10 Cargo165 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

Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo

1.2 Executive Cargo 4AT

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)

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 Performance Published Efficiency

Grand i10 Cargo

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

Which One's Right for You?

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

Grand i10 Cargo

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec BOX Grand i10 Cargo
Model Introduced Year 2026 Current local generation year not confirmed
Generation Current South African generation Current South African Grand i10 Cargo 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 Panel van
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Electric city hatchback Van
Vehicle Type Hatchback Van
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 - 900-950 kg
Spec BOX Grand i10 Cargo
Length 4020 mm 3815 mm
Width 1810 mm 1680 mm
Height 1570 mm 1520 mm
Wheelbase 2663 mm 2450 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 0 mm 165 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 140 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 37 l
Boot/Cargo Space 326 l 1210 l
Kerb Weight 1370 kg Not Officially Disclosed
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 2 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 1 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 m Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom 1000 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom 950 mm Not Applicable
Front Legroom 1050 mm Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom 900 mm Not Applicable

In depth: how these cars differ

This BOX and Grand i10 Cargo 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 Grand i10 Cargo 30.

Efficiency index: BOX 90 vs Grand i10 Cargo 66.

Safety-equipment index: BOX 70 vs Grand i10 Cargo 40.

Practicality index: BOX 47 vs Grand i10 Cargo 64.

Ownership-cover index: BOX not separately scored vs Grand i10 Cargo 65.

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

BOX leads by 7 points

BOX and Grand i10 Cargo are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 58 /100
Lead 7 points
Data 64% source coverage
58
#1 Evidence leader

BOX

64% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 90 Check Performance 36
Performance 36
Efficiency 90
Safety 70
Practicality 47
Leads by 7 points
51
#2

Grand i10 Cargo

76% source coverage 0 strong categories
Best at Efficiency 66 Check Performance 30
Performance 30
Efficiency 66
Safety 40
Practicality 64
Ownership 65
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance BOX +6 Efficiency BOX +24 Safety BOX +30 Practicality Grand i10 Cargo +17

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

BOX

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

Grand i10 Cargo

Performance 30/100
Efficiency 66/100
Safety 40/100
Practicality 64/100
Ownership 65/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Dongfeng BOX leads the specification evidence index with 58 pts vs 51 pts for Grand i10 Cargo

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, BOX leads. However, Grand i10 Cargo may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

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BOX vs Grand i10 Cargo 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.