Dongfeng Box

Battery and motor

The Dongfeng Box is a compact five-door electric hatchback sold in Pakistan through Chawla Green Motors, Dongfeng’s official distributor. Every version uses a single electric motor of about 70 kW (94 hp) with a single-speed automatic gearbox and a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The entry Smart 330 has a 32.56 kWh pack and a claimed range of 330 km, while the Lux 430 and Flagship 430 use a 42.3 kWh pack rated for up to 430 km. Top speed is 140 km/h. These are Chinese CLTC figures, so expect less in hot weather and on the motorway.

Charging

The Smart 330 has a 3.3 kW onboard AC charger and needs about 10.5 hours for a full home charge, or around 42 minutes from 10 to 80 percent on a DC fast charger. The 430 versions get a faster 6.6 kW AC charger, which cuts a full charge to roughly six hours, and launch reports quoted about 30 minutes to reach 80 percent on DC fast charging.

Size and practicality

The Box measures about 4,030 mm long, 1,810 mm wide and 1,570 mm tall on a 2,660 mm wheelbase, so it is easy to park in crowded city streets yet wider than most small hatchbacks. It is listed as a five-seater, although the rear bench is best for two adults on longer trips. Dongfeng Pakistan has not published a boot space figure.

Equipment by variant

All versions come with two airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, traction control, hill start assist and tyre pressure monitoring. The Smart 330 is the simplest, with 16-inch steel wheels and a basic display. The Lux 430 adds a 12.8-inch touchscreen, wireless phone charging, ambient lighting and a four-speaker sound system, but keeps 16-inch steel wheels with covers. The Flagship 430 moves to 17-inch alloy wheels, six speakers and heated seats, and adds a full driver-assistance package: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, a 540-degree camera and automatic parking.

Warranty

At launch, the distributor quoted a four-year or 150,000 km vehicle warranty and an eight-year or 200,000 km battery warranty. Confirm the current terms when you book.

Which variant to buy

Our opinion: the Smart 330 is the cheapest way into a new Dongfeng and suits buyers who drive mainly within one city and can charge at home every night. If you make regular intercity trips, the Lux 430 is worth the extra Rs. 900,000 for its bigger battery and faster AC charging. The Flagship 430 costs Rs. 400,000 more than the Lux and is the one to pick if you want the safety technology and the 540-degree camera.