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.
SEAL has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over BOX.
BOX starts ZAR 608,000 cheaperBOX from ZAR 399,900 · SEAL from ZAR 1,007,900
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
BOX
SEAL
Maximum Power
BOX70 kW
SEAL390 kW
Maximum Torque
BOX160 Nm
SEAL670 Nm
Engine Size
BOXNot Applicable
SEALNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
BOX0 km/l
SEALNot Applicable
Ground Clearance
BOX0 mm
SEAL145 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 ratingNot yet rated
No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.
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
Nothing stands out clearly here.
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Fewer listed safety features
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Specification evidence leader
SEAL
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
No obvious weak spots to flag.
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
BOX
Buyers who prefer this derivative's confirmed specification mix
SEAL
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
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Model Introduced Year
2026
2024
Generation
Current South African generation
First South African SEAL generation
Facelift History
Current launch specification
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Facelift Launched Since
2026
Original current-generation version
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
Active
Segment
Electric city hatchback
Medium Sedan
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
Passenger vehicle
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Length
4020 mm
4800 mm
Width
1810 mm
1875 mm
Height
1570 mm
1460 mm
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2920 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
145 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
140 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
0 l
Boot/Cargo Space
326 l
400 l
Kerb Weight
1370 kg
2185 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1820 kg
2631 kg
Payload Capacity
450 kg
446 kg
Towing Capacity
750 kg
1500 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
5.7 m
Front Headroom
1000 mm
1000 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
920 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1110 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
810 mm
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Engine
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Dual-motor battery-electric powertrain
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Electric
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinders
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
70 kW
390 kW
Maximum Torque
160 Nm
670 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Front Induction; Rear Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Number of Motors
1
2
Motor Location
Front
Front + Rear
Drive Type
FWD
AWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
140 km/h
180 km/h
0-100 km/h
10.6 sec
3.8 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Yes
Eco, Normal, Sport, Snow
Launch Control
No
Not Officially Disclosed
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
178.5 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
306.6 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
42.3 kWh
82.56 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
40.2 kWh
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Type
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
LFP
Battery Voltage
400 V
550.4 V
Electric Range
430 km
520 km (WLTP)
AC Charging Power
11 kW
11 kW
DC Charging Power
60 kW
150 kW
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
8 h 36 min (0-100%)
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
37 min (10-80%)
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front and rear electric drive units
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Available
Number of Gears
1
1
Transmission Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Automatic
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Yes
Standard
Gear Shift Type
Electronic shift-by-wire
Crystal gear shifter
Drivetrain
FWD
AWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
Automatic electric all-wheel drive
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
4x4
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Transmission Speeds
1
1
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Claimed Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
City Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
Highway Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions
Not Applicable
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
0 km/l
Not Applicable
Charging Port Type
CCS2 / Type 2
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
Charging Type
DC fast charging | AC charging
AC and DC
Fuel Tank Litres
0
Not Applicable
Combined Driving Range
430
520 km (WLTP)
Electric Consumption
9.8
18.2 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
Range Real World Highway
322 km
425 km
Range Real World Mixed
366 km
510 km
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Airbags
6
9
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Not Applicable
Hill Start Assist
Yes
Standard
Child Safety Lock
Yes
Standard
ISOFIX Mounts
Yes
Standard
Brake Assist
Yes
Standard
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Yes
Standard
Front Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
AEB
No
Standard
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Standard
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Not Applicable
Hill Hold
Yes
Standard
Passenger Airbag
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Standard
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Yes
Standard
Seatbelt Reminder
Yes
Standard
Side Airbags
Yes
Standard
Stability Control
Yes
Standard
TCS
Yes
Standard
Knee Airbag
No
Not Available
ABS EBD
Yes
Standard
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Cruise Control
Cruise control
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Standard
Lane Keep Assist
No
Standard
Lane Departure Warning
No
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring
Yes
Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
No
Standard
Parking Sensors
Front and rear
Standard
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
No
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Standard
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Standard
Traffic Sign Recognition
No
Standard
Auto Highbeam
Yes
Standard
Auto Wipers
Yes
Standard
Rear Parking Sensors
Yes
Standard
Reverse Camera
Yes
Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
No
Standard
Park Assist
No
Standard
Around View Monitor
No
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
No
Standard
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
Synthetic leather
Heated Seats
No
Standard
Ventilated Seats
No
Standard
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Synthetic leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Electric adjustment
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Electric adjustment
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Synthetic leather
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
No
Panoramic
Electric Tailgate
No
Standard
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
15.6-inch rotating touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
12
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster
Full LCD instrument display
USB Ports
USB-A | USB-C
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
12.8
15.6
Touchscreen
12.8
15.6
Spec
BOX
SEAL
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED
Fog Lamps
LED
Rear fog lamp
Roof Rails
No
Not Applicable
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Dongfeng factory exterior colours
Sky Black, Atlantis Gray, Aurora White, North Ice Blue, Rosemary Gray, Wind Grass Green
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Standard
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
13 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
14 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
No
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Electric all-wheel drive
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Tyre Size
215/55 R17
235/45 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Tyre repair kit
Wheel Rim Size
17
19
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic parking brake
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Double wishbone
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Multi-link
Spec
BOX
SEAL
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Ownership Role
Dongfeng South Africa ownership programme
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Price Zar
449900 ZAR
1211900 ZAR
Pricing Role
South African retail / indicative price reference
flagship all-wheel-drive derivative
Starting Price
449900
1211900
Starting Price Zar
449900
1211900
Spec
BOX
SEAL
Warranty
5 Years / 150000 km
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
In depth: how these cars differ
This BOX and SEAL 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 SEAL 100.
Efficiency index: BOX 90 vs SEAL 90.
Safety-equipment index: BOX 70 vs SEAL 98.
Practicality index: BOX 47 vs SEAL 57.
Ownership-cover index: BOX not separately scored vs SEAL 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 SEAL 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
SEAL leads by 28 points
SEAL has a large lead in Hagalu's source-backed catalogue index over BOX.
Performance
SEAL +64
Efficiency
Level
Safety
SEAL +28
Practicality
SEAL +10
Large difference in the source-backed catalogue index.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
SEAL
Performance
100/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
98/100
Practicality
57/100
BOX
Performance
36/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
70/100
Practicality
47/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexBYD SEAL
leads the specification evidence index with 86 pts
vs 58 pts for BOX
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, SEAL 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.
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