VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
90 kW
Torque
160 Nm
172 Nm
Fuel
TBA l/100km
5.8 l/100km
Towing
—
1100 Kg
0-100 km/h
—
9.9 s
Engine
electric cc
998 cc
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 90 kW. On fuel, the Box returns TBA l/100km while the i20 uses 5.8 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R499 000 for the Box and R467 500 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
90 kW
Torque
160 Nm
172 Nm
0-100 kph
—
9.9 s
Top Speed
140 Km/h
187 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
998 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
3
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
7
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
TBA l/100km
5.8 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
43.9 kWh l
37 l
CO2 Emissions
—
126 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4020 mm
3995 mm
Width
1810 mm
1775 mm
Height
1570 mm
1505 mm
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2580 mm
Ground Clearance
—
170 mm
Kerb Weight
1342 Kg
1017 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
311 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1100 Kg
Load Capacity
375 l
513 l
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
2
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
—
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
—
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
—
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Sunroof
—
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery + high voltage par
5 vehicle / 7 drivetrain
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 battery + high v
150000 vehicle / 200000 drivetrain Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
4
Service Plan Distance
100000
60000
Service Intervals
—
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Hyundai i20
3 / 4 categories
Performance
i20
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
i20
Practicality
i20
Pros & Cons
Dongfeng Box
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (70 kW vs 90 kW)
Higher starting price
Hyundai i20
More powerful engine (90 kW)
Lower starting price (R467 500)
Higher towing capacity (1100 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Box or i20?
The Box uses TBA l/100km and the i20 uses 5.8 l/100km 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 90 kW and 172 Nm of torque. The i20 is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Box and i20?
The Box starts from R499 000 and the i20 from R467 500. The i20 is cheaper by R31 500 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 1100 Kg. 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.