VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
73kW@5500
Torque
160 Nm
136Nm@4200
Fuel
TBA l/100km
8.1
Towing
—
800
0-100 km/h
—
12.9
Engine
electric cc
1396
Choosing between the Dongfeng Box and the HYUNDAI i20 is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Dongfeng Box delivers 70 kW while the HYUNDAI i20 produces 73kW@5500. On fuel, the Box returns TBA l/100km while the i20 uses 8.1 — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R469 000 for the Box and R189 900 for the i20. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
70 kW
73kW@5500
Torque
160 Nm
136Nm@4200
0-100 kph
—
12.9
Top Speed
140 Km/h
170
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
1396
Engine Layout
—
TRANSVERSE INLINE 4
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
UNLEADED
Transmission
automatic
AUTOMATIC
Number of Gears
—
4
Drive Wheels
front
FRONT
Full Time 4x4
—
✗
Low Range
—
✗
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
TBA l/100km
8.1
Fuel Consumption Urban
—
—
Fuel Consumption Highway
—
—
Fuel Tank Capacity
32.6 kWh l
45
CO2 Emissions
—
140
Dimensions
Length
4020 mm
3995
Width
1810 mm
-1710
Height
1570 mm
1490
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2525
Ground Clearance
—
150
Kerb Weight
1243 Kg
1056
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
800
Load Capacity
375 l
295
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✗
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✗
Airbag Count
2
2
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
—
✗
Curtain Airbags
—
✗
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
—
✗
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✗
Adaptive Cruise Control
—
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Satellite Navigation
—
✗
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
—
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
—
✗
Sunroof
—
✗
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
✗
Electric Seat Adjustment
—
✗
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✗
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✗
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery + high voltage par
60
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 battery + high v
150000
Service Plan
✓ Standard
S
Service Plan Years
5
—
Service Plan Distance
100000
—
Service Intervals
—
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
HYUNDAI i20
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Box
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
i20
Practicality
i20
Pros & Cons
Dongfeng Box
Factory service plan included
Higher starting price
HYUNDAI i20
Lower starting price (R189 900)
Higher towing capacity (800)
No factory service plan
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Box or i20?
The Box uses TBA l/100km and the i20 uses 8.1 on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the Box or i20?
The Box produces 70 kW and 160 Nm of torque while the i20 delivers 73kW@5500 and 136Nm@4200 of torque. They produce similar power outputs.
What is the price difference between the Box and i20?
The Box starts from R469 000 and the i20 from R189 900. The i20 is cheaper by R279 100 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Box or i20?
The Box has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the i20 can tow 800. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Box or the i20?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.