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.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Specification evidence leader
MG3
Strengths
Better fuel efficiency
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:Published Efficiency
Which One's Right for You?
BOX
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
MG3
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
BOX
MG3
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Current South African BOX generation
Current-generation five-door MG3 offered locally with naturally aspirated petrol and self-charging hybrid powertrains.
Facelift History
Current South African launch version; no local facelift announced
South African launch specification introduced in 2025.
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Five-door hatchback
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
active
active
Segment
Urban Electric Hatchback
Compact Hatchback
Vehicle Type
Passenger Vehicle
Hatchback
Spec
BOX
MG3
Length
4020 mm
4113 mm
Width
1810 mm
1797 mm
Height
1570 mm
1502 mm
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2570 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
175 mm
149 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
160 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
36 l
Boot/Cargo Space
326 l
293 l
Kerb Weight
1285 kg
1308 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2020 kg
1766 kg
Payload Capacity
500 kg
458 kg
Towing Capacity
500 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.2 m
5.25 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Headroom
970 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Legroom
1040 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
BOX
MG3
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
1.5-litre Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Hybrid
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Self Charging Hybrid
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1498 cc
Cylinders
Not Applicable
4
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Inline
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Naturally Aspirated
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Multipoint Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
70 kW
75 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque
290 Nm
128 Nm @ 4500 rpm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
155 kW
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
425 Nm
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor
Number of Motors
1
2
Motor Location
Front Axle
Front
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
3-Speed Automatic
Top Speed
140 km/h
170 km/h
0-100 km/h
6.8 sec
8.0 sec
Quarter Mile
15.2 sec
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Standard
Eco, Standard, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
1 kW/tonne
118.50 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
1 Nm/tonne
324.92 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
43.89 kWh
1.83 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
43.9 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
LFP
Lithium-ion
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Officially Disclosed
Electric Range
430 km (CLTC)
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
6.6 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
80 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
BOX
MG3
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
3-Speed Automatic hybrid transmission
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
Not Applicable
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Paddle Shifters
No
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Standard
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
1
3
Transmission Type
Automatic
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Type
Electronic selector
Hybrid
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Front-wheel drive
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
No
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gearbox Type
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Hybrid transmission
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front Axle
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
3
Spec
BOX
MG3
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
23.26 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
27.03 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
20.41 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
36 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
23.26 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS2
Not Applicable
Charging Type
AC and DC
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
36
Combined Driving Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
10.7 kWh/100 km (CLTC)
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
315 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
365 km
Not Applicable
Spec
BOX
MG3
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Standard
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Standard
Traction Control
Standard
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Not Available
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Standard
Brake Assist
Standard
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Not Available
AEB
Standard
Standard
BA
Standard
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Standard
Standard
EBD
Standard
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Standard
Hill Hold
Standard
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Standard
Standard
TCS
Standard
Standard
Knee Airbag
Standard
Not Available
ABS EBD
Standard
Standard
Spec
BOX
MG3
Cruise Control
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Yes
Standard
Parking Sensors
Standard
Rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Not Available
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
Yes
Not Available
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Standard
Reverse Camera
Standard
Not Available
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Standard
Park Assist
Standard
Not Available
Around View Monitor
Standard
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Standard
Spec
BOX
MG3
Seat Material
Standard
PVC + Fabric
Heated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ventilated Seats
Standard
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Standard
Not Available
Steering Wheel Material
Standard
PU
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Standard
6-way manual
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Standard
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Standard
PVC + Fabric
Spec
BOX
MG3
Climate Control
Standard
Single-zone air conditioning
Power Windows
Standard
Standard
Keyless Entry
Standard
Standard
Push Button Start
Standard
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Not Available
Sunroof
Panoramic
Standard
Electric Tailgate
No
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Standard
Single-zone air conditioning
Spec
BOX
MG3
Infotainment System
Standard
10.25-inch infotainment display
Apple CarPlay
Yes
Wireless
Android Auto
Yes
Wireless
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Standard
7-inch driver display
USB Ports
3
2 front USB-C ports (1 full-function, 1 charging)
Infotainment Screen
12.8
10.25-inch
Touchscreen
12.8
10.25-inch
Spec
BOX
MG3
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
LED
Fog Lamps
No
Not Available
Roof Rails
Not Applicable
Not Available
Exterior Colour Options
Green
Flare Red, Morning Yellow, Pearl Black, York White, Hampstead Grey, St. Moritz Blue, Blade Silver
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Not Available
Spec
BOX
MG3
Approach Angle
19 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Departure Angle
26 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Wading Depth
300 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
17 deg
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
BOX
MG3
Tyre Size
Standard
195/55 R16
Front Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre Repair Kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
17
16-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic Parking Brake
Electric
Spec
BOX
MG3
Front Suspension
MacPherson Strut
MacPherson
Rear Suspension
Torsion Beam
Torsion Beam
Spec
BOX
MG3
CO2 Emissions
1 g/km
100 g/km
Spec
BOX
MG3
Service Plan
8 years / 120000 km service plan
MG3-specific service plan
Spec
BOX
MG3
Ownership Role
Dongfeng South Africa passenger EV ownership package
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
389000 ZAR
469900 ZAR
Pricing Role
Current South African cash price
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
389000
469900
Starting Price Zar
389000
469900
Spec
BOX
MG3
Warranty
5 years / 150000 km vehicle warranty; 10 years / unlimited km battery warranty for first owner, then 8 years / 200000 km
5 years / 150,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This BOX and MG3 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 52 vs MG3 40.
Efficiency index: BOX 31 vs MG3 90.
Safety-equipment index: BOX 88 vs MG3 92.
Practicality index: BOX 52 vs MG3 48.
Ownership-cover index: BOX not separately scored vs MG3 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
BOX and MG3 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
MG3 leads by 9 points
MG3 has a modest catalogue-index lead, while BOX remains close.
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
MG3
Performance
40/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
92/100
Practicality
48/100
BOX
Performance
52/100
Efficiency
31/100
Safety
88/100
Practicality
52/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMG MG3
leads the specification evidence index with 66 pts
vs 57 pts for BOX
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, MG3 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.
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.
Compare
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