VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
85 kW
Torque
160 Nm
178 Nm
Fuel
TBA l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Towing
—
—
0-100 km/h
—
11.5 s
Engine
electric cc
999 cc
Choosing between the Dongfeng Box and the Volkswagen Polo is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Dongfeng Box delivers 70 kW while the Volkswagen Polo produces 85 kW. On fuel, the Box returns TBA l/100km while the Polo uses 6.3 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R519 000 for the Box and R483 700 for the Polo. 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
85 kW
Torque
160 Nm
178 Nm
0-100 kph
—
11.5 s
Top Speed
140 Km/h
190 Km/h
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
999 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
3
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Forced Induction Device
—
turbocharger
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
6
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
TBA l/100km
6.3 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
43.9 kWh l
45 l
CO2 Emissions
—
144 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4020 mm
4561 mm
Width
1810 mm
1752 mm
Height
1570 mm
1507 mm
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2651 mm
Ground Clearance
—
179 mm
Kerb Weight
1342 Kg
1267 Kg
Doors
5
4
Seats
5
—
Load Volume
—
521 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
—
Load Capacity
375 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
—
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
—
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
✓ 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
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control
✓ Standard
—
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Front
✓ 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
3
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 battery + high v
120000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
3
Service Plan Distance
100000
45000
Service Intervals
—
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Volkswagen Polo
2 / 4 categories
Performance
Polo
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Polo
Practicality
Box
Pros & Cons
Dongfeng Box
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (70 kW vs 85 kW)
Higher starting price
Volkswagen Polo
More powerful engine (85 kW)
Lower starting price (R483 700)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the Box or Polo?
The Box uses TBA l/100km and the Polo uses 6.3 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 Polo?
The Box produces 70 kW and 160 Nm of torque while the Polo delivers 85 kW and 178 Nm of torque. The Polo is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the Box and Polo?
The Box starts from R519 000 and the Polo from R483 700. The Polo is cheaper by R35 300 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the Box or Polo?
The Box has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the Polo can tow not specified. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the Box or the Polo?
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.