Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh

Overview

The Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh is a compact electric hatchback aiming to make a splash in the city car segment. For the 2025 model year, this specific trim emphasizes practical urban mobility. While official US pricing isn't available as the Box isn't currently sold stateside, it’s designed as an accessible EV. Its key appeal lies in a no-fuss electric experience, offering a decent real-world range ideal for daily commutes and zipping around town. Think of it as a potential challenger to other budget-friendly electric runabouts, should it land in the US.

What's New for 2025?

As a relatively fresh face, with production starting in 2024, the 2025 Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh carries over its launch specification. This means you’re getting the latest iteration of Dongfeng's compact EV platform. Significant year-on-year updates are not detailed for this model, as it establishes its presence. For US buyers, the "new" aspect would be the car itself, potentially offering a fresh choice in the affordable EV space if it were to arrive. It’s all about bringing straightforward electric driving to the masses from the get-go.

Design & Exterior

The Dongfeng Box sports a contemporary hatchback design, perfectly suited for navigating tight city streets. Its compact dimensions are clear: it measures 158.3 inches in length and stands 61.8 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 104.8 inches. The width (excluding mirrors) isn't specified in the provided data. Expect clean lines and a friendly face, typical of modern urban EVs. While specific wheel designs or lighting signatures for the 42.3 kWh trim aren't detailed, it presents a neat, functional, and unpretentious look that should appeal to those prioritizing practicality.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh offers seating for five in a cabin focused on practicality. Expect durable materials suitable for daily use. For your gear, there's 11.5 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a useful 33.4 cubic feet when you fold the rear seats flat. The provided data doesn't mention a frunk. While specific infotainment details like screen size or standard Apple CarPlay/Android Auto aren't listed for this trim, a modern city car like this would typically feature a central touchscreen system to handle media and vehicle settings.

Performance & Driving Experience

Under the hood (well, floor!), the Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh packs a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor driving the front wheels. This setup delivers 70 kW (around 94 horsepower) and 118 lb-ft of torque. It’s not a rocket ship, with a 0-60 mph time of 12 seconds, but it’s engineered for zippy city performance and a top speed of 87 mph. Expect a nimble driving experience, perfect for urban cut-and-thrust, with a comfortable ride. Regenerative braking modes would likely be included to help maximize that all-important range.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh features a 40 kWh usable battery pack (42.3 kWh nominal). Green Cars Compare calculates its real-world range at a handy 164 miles, with an efficiency of 4.1 mi/kWh – great for city hops. For charging, it supports up to 6.6 kW AC, meaning a full top-up would take around 6 hours. On the DC fast charging front, it can gulp down electrons at up to 88 kW on its 400V system. The provided data specifies a CCS Type 2 port; a US version would require CCS Type 1 or NACS.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Official NHTSA or Euro NCAP safety ratings for the Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh are not available in the provided data. However, for a modern vehicle eyeing potential Western markets, a suite of driver-assistance systems would be expected. While specifics for this trim aren't listed, features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring would likely be part of the package, either standard or optional, to meet contemporary safety standards and driver expectations in the US market.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Specific warranty details for the Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh, such as basic vehicle or battery coverage duration and mileage, are not provided in the supplied information. Similarly, complimentary maintenance schedules or specific reliability insights aren't available. For a potential US release, buyers would typically expect a competitive warranty, often around 3-5 years/36,000-60,000 miles for the basic warranty, and an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery pack, which is standard fare in the EV segment.