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.
BOX and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
ZS Pro starts ZAR 2,300 cheaperBOX from ZAR 399,900 · ZS Pro from ZAR 397,600
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
BOX
ZS Pro
Maximum Power
BOX70 kW
ZS Pro125 kW
Maximum Torque
BOX160 Nm
ZS Pro275 Nm
Engine Size
BOXNot Applicable
ZS Pro1496 cc
Combined Fuel Economy
BOX0 km/l
ZS Pro14.5 km/l
Ground Clearance
BOX0 mm
ZS Pro161 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
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
ZS Pro
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger listed safety equipment
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Lower fuel efficiency
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
BOX
Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
ZS Pro
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
ZS Pro
Model Introduced Year
2026
2025
Generation
Current South African generation
Current South African ZS Pro compact SUV with a 1.5-litre turbo engine, CVT and two-grade matrix.
Facelift History
Current launch specification
Launched locally in 2025 while the value-led ZS remained current.
Facelift Launched Since
2026
2025
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
Hatchback
Five-door compact SUV
Model Year
2026
2025
Production Status
Active
active
Segment
Electric city hatchback
Compact SUV
Vehicle Type
Hatchback
SUV
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Length
4020 mm
4430 mm
Width
1810 mm
1818 mm
Height
1570 mm
1635 mm
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2610 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
0 mm
161 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
140 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
55 l
Boot/Cargo Space
326 l
443 l
Kerb Weight
1370 kg
1390 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
1820 kg
1840 kg
Payload Capacity
450 kg
450 kg
Towing Capacity
750 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
5 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.8 m
Not Officially Disclosed
Front Headroom
1000 mm
875 mm
Rear Headroom
950 mm
865 mm
Front Legroom
1050 mm
1060 mm
Rear Legroom
900 mm
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Engine
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
1.5-litre Turbocharged Petrol
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Fuel Type
Electric
Petrol
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
1496 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
Turbocharged
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Gasoline Direct Injection
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Maximum Power
70 kW
125 kW
Maximum Torque
160 Nm
275 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Not Applicable
Number of Motors
1
Not Applicable
Motor Location
Front
Not Applicable
Drive Type
FWD
FWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
CVT
Top Speed
140 km/h
Not Officially Disclosed
0-100 km/h
10.6 sec
8.5 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Officially Disclosed
Drive Modes
Yes
Normal, Eco, Sport
Launch Control
No
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Power-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
89.93 kW/tonne
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
Not Officially Disclosed
197.84 Nm/tonne
Battery Capacity
42.3 kWh
Not Applicable
Usable Battery Capacity
40.2 kWh
Not Applicable
Battery Type
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP)
Not Applicable
Battery Voltage
400 V
Not Applicable
Electric Range
430 km
Not Applicable
AC Charging Power
11 kW
Not Applicable
DC Charging Power
60 kW
Not Applicable
AC Charging Time
Not Officially Disclosed
Not Applicable
DC Charging Time
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Not Applicable
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Gearbox
Single-speed reduction gear
CVT
Drivetrain Layout
FWD
Front-wheel drive
LSD Available
No
Not Available
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
Not Available
Final Drive Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Number of Gears
1
Not Applicable
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
Automatic
Drivetrain
FWD
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
Not Applicable
Not Available
Front Differential Lock
No
Not Available
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Continuously Variable Transmission
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Low Range
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Axle Layout
Front driven axle
Front-wheel drive
Rear Differential Lock
No
Not Applicable
Transmission Speeds
1
Not Applicable
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Claimed Mileage
0 km/l
14.5 km/l
City Mileage
0 km/l
10.6 km/l
Highway Mileage
0 km/l
18.2 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
55 l
Emission Standard
Zero tailpipe emissions
EURO 5
AdBlue Tank Capacity
0 l
Not Applicable
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Standard
Real-world Mileage
0 km/l
14.5 km/l
Charging Port Type
CCS2 / Type 2
Not Applicable
Charging Type
DC fast charging | AC charging
Not Applicable
Fuel Tank Litres
0
55
Combined Driving Range
430
Not Applicable
Electric Consumption
9.8
Not Applicable
Range Real World Highway
322 km
Not Applicable
Range Real World Mixed
366 km
Not Applicable
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Airbags
6
6
ABS
Yes
Standard
Electronic Stability Control
Yes
Standard
Traction Control
Yes
Standard
Hill Descent Control
No
Standard
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
Not Available
BA
Yes
Standard
Brake Override System
Yes
Not Officially Disclosed
Curtain Airbags
Yes
Standard
Driver Airbag
Yes
Standard
EBD
Yes
Standard
Engine Immobiliser
Yes
Standard
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
ZS Pro
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
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Yes
Standard
360 Degree Camera
No
Standard
Autonomous Emergency Braking
No
Not Available
Driver Fatigue Alert
No
Not Available
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
Not Available
Around View Monitor
No
Standard
Blind Spot Warning
Yes
Standard
Forward Collision Warning
No
Standard
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
PVC
Heated Seats
No
Standard
Ventilated Seats
No
Not Available
Ambient Lighting
Yes
Standard
Steering Wheel Material
Leather
Leather
60 40 Split Seat
Yes
Standard
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Powered
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
4-way manual
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
PVC
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Climate Control
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Yes
Standard
Keyless Entry
Yes
Standard
Push Button Start
Yes
Standard
Wireless Charging
Yes
Standard
Sunroof
No
Panoramic electric sunroof
Electric Tailgate
No
Not Available
Rain Sensing Wipers
Yes
Standard
AC Type
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Infotainment System
Touchscreen infotainment system
12.3-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Standard
Android Auto
Wireless Android Auto
Standard
Bluetooth Connectivity
Yes
Standard
Number of Speakers
6
6
Digital Instrument Cluster
Digital instrument cluster
Digital driver display
USB Ports
USB-A | USB-C
4
Infotainment Screen
12.8
12.3-inch
Touchscreen
12.8
12.3-inch
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
LED Headlamps
Yes
Standard
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
Standard
Fog Lamps
LED
Not Available
Roof Rails
No
Standard
Exterior Colour Options
Multiple Dongfeng factory exterior colours
Arctic White, Black Pearl, Monument Silver, Diamond Red, Como Blue
Headlights
Yes
Standard
Panoramic Sunroof
No
Standard
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Approach Angle
Not Applicable
19.0 deg
Departure Angle
Not Applicable
28.0 deg
Wading Depth
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Terrain Modes
Not Applicable
Not Available
Locking Differential
No
Not Available
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Breakover Angle
Not Applicable
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Tyre Size
215/55 R17
215/50R18
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Tyre repair kit
Non-full-size
Wheel Rim Size
17
18-inch
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Electronic
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
MacPherson
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Torsion Beam
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
Not Officially Disclosed
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Service Plan
5 Years / 90000 km
5 years / 60,000 km
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Ownership Role
Dongfeng South Africa ownership programme
Passenger vehicle
Price Zar
449900 ZAR
431500 ZAR
Pricing Role
South African retail / indicative price reference
Current South African MSRP
Starting Price
449900
431500
Starting Price Zar
449900
431500
Spec
BOX
ZS Pro
Warranty
5 Years / 150000 km
7 years / 200,000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This BOX and ZS Pro 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 ZS Pro 56.
Efficiency index: BOX 90 vs ZS Pro 58.
Safety-equipment index: BOX 70 vs ZS Pro 91.
Practicality index: BOX 47 vs ZS Pro 55.
Ownership-cover index: BOX not separately scored vs ZS Pro 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 ZS Pro 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
ZS Pro leads by 7 points
BOX and ZS Pro are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
ZS Pro +20
Efficiency
BOX +32
Safety
ZS Pro +21
Practicality
ZS Pro +8
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
ZS Pro
Performance
56/100
Efficiency
58/100
Safety
91/100
Practicality
55/100
BOX
Performance
36/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
70/100
Practicality
47/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMG ZS Pro
leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts
vs 58 pts for BOX
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ZS Pro 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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