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Citroën ë-C3 vs Dongfeng BOX
Selected trimStandard193 mi · 42 kWh · £20,000
At a glance
In this comparison, Citroën ë-C3 counters with the lowest price, while the Dongfeng BOX leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Dongfeng BOX if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Dongfeng BOX wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueDongfeng
Citroën
4.8
Dongfeng
6.1
Motorway RangeDongfeng
Citroën
1.9
Dongfeng
4.3
FamilyDongfeng
Citroën
2.7
Dongfeng
5.1
ChargingDongfeng
Citroën
1.3
Dongfeng
4
Cost Per MileDongfeng
Citroën
3.4
Dongfeng
8.2
City DrivingDongfeng
Citroën
8
Dongfeng
8.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £19,995 (better) | £20,000 |
| Official range | 134 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 310 L | 326 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 36 min | 30 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec (better) | 12.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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Citroën ë-C3
Dongfeng BOX
Length
Citroën ë-C34,015mm-5mm
Dongfeng BOX4,020mm
Width
Citroën ë-C31,755mm-55mm
Dongfeng BOX1,810mm
Height
Citroën ë-C31,577mm
Dongfeng BOX1,570mm-7mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,015 mm | 4,020 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,755 mm (better) | 1,810 mm |
| Height | 1,577 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 645 mm spare (better) | 590 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 310 L | 326 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 945 L |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range |  Dongfeng BOX Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.02m+5mm |
| Width | 1.75m | 1.81m+55mm |
| Height | 1.58m | 1.57m-7mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.60m+60mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 310L | 326L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 945L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 1,413kg | 1,312kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 30kWh | 42kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 134 mi | 193 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 30kW | 88kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £19,995 (better) | £20,000 |
| Price after EV grant | £18,495 (-£1,500) | £20,000 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2024+ | 2026+ |
* Citroën ë-C3: Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 134 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 94 miles | 160 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 36 min | 30 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 30 kW | 88 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW (better) | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 165 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 29.8 kWh | 42 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.6 sec (better) | 12.5 sec |
| Power | 83 kW (better) | 70 kW |
| Torque | 120 Nm | 160 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Citroën ë-C3
Urban Range
Dongfeng BOX
Base
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Citroën ë-C3 Urban Range
Euro NCAP crash-safety rating not published. The vehicle has been assessed under the Green NCAP sustainability programme only.
Euro NCAP - Dongfeng BOX Base
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant69%
Child Occupant81%
Vulnerable Road Users67%
Safety Assist77%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Citroën ë-C3Urban Range | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
Citroën ë-C3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Dongfeng BOX
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Citroën ë-C3 or the Dongfeng BOX?
The Citroën ë-C3 is £5 cheaper to buy. The Dongfeng BOX is cheaper to charge, roughly £152 a year versus £184 for the Citroën ë-C3, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the two land within £155 of each other - effectively the same to own. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 94 miles for the Citroën ë-C3 and 160 miles for the Dongfeng BOX - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Dongfeng BOX goes roughly 66 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 30-36 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Citroën ë-C3 or the Dongfeng BOX?
The Citroën ë-C3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 55 mm narrower than the Dongfeng BOX. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 645 mm of total clearance for the Citroën ë-C3 and about 590 mm of total clearance for the Dongfeng BOX.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Citroën ë-C3 or the Dongfeng BOX?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Citroën ë-C3 and 90% for the Dongfeng BOX. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use LFP-type cells, which are happy charged to 100% every day.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Citroën ë-C3 comparisons
More Dongfeng BOX comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best family EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Citroën ë-C3 and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best city EVs
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .