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Dongfeng BOX vs Hyundai Ioniq 3
Selected trimStandard193 mi · 42 kWh · £20,000
At a glance
In this comparison, Dongfeng BOX counters with the lowest price, while the Hyundai Ioniq 3 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai Ioniq 3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueHyundai
Dongfeng
6.1
Hyundai
7.2
Motorway Range
Dongfeng
4.3
Hyundai
4.7
Too close to call
FamilyHyundai
Dongfeng
5.1
Hyundai
8.2
ChargingHyundai
Dongfeng
4
Hyundai
7
Cost Per MileHyundai
Dongfeng
8.2
Hyundai
9.5
City Driving
Dongfeng
8.6
Hyundai
8.3
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Hyundai Ioniq 3
Advance 42kWh
- 115 litres more boot space
- 31 kW faster rapid charging
- 38 kW more power
- 3.7s quicker 0-62 mph
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Dongfeng BOXBase | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £20,000 (better) | £22,245 |
| Official range | 193 miles | 213 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 326 L | 441 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | 29 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 12.5 sec | 8.8 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Dongfeng BOX
Hyundai Ioniq 3
Length
Dongfeng BOX4,020mm-135mm
Hyundai Ioniq 34,155mm
Width
Dongfeng BOX1,810mm
Hyundai Ioniq 31,800mm-10mm
Height
Dongfeng BOX1,570mm
Hyundai Ioniq 31,505mm-65mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Dongfeng BOXBase | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,020 mm | 4,155 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,810 mm | 1,800 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,100 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,505 mm |
| Turning circle | Not available | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 590 mm spare | 600 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Dongfeng BOXBase | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 326 L | 441 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 945 L | 1213 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Dongfeng BOX
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Hyundai Ioniq 3
- 3rd-largest boot among hatchback EVs in our catalogue at 441 L.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- Peak DC charging of 119 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Dongfeng BOX Base |  Hyundai Ioniq 3 Advance 42kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.02m | 4.16m+135mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.80m-10mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.10m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.50m-65mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.60m | 2.68m+80mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 326L | 441L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 945L | 1213L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | Not available | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,312kg (better) | 1,550kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42kWh | 42.2kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | 213 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 88kW | 119kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £20,000 (better) | £22,245 |
| Price after EV grant | £20,000 (not eligible) | £18,495 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Dongfeng BOXBase | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | 213 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 160 miles | 178 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | 29 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 88 kW | 119 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 42 kWh | 42.2 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | Not available |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Dongfeng BOXBase | Hyundai Ioniq 3Advance 42kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.5 sec | 8.8 sec (better) |
| Power | 70 kW | 108 kW (better) |
| Torque | 160 Nm | 250 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
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 - Dongfeng BOX Base
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant69%
Child Occupant81%
Vulnerable Road Users67%
Safety Assist77%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Buying options
Get a quote
Dongfeng BOX
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Hyundai Ioniq 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Hyundai Ioniq 3 worth the extra £2,245 over the Dongfeng BOX?
The Hyundai Ioniq 3 costs £2,245 more than the Dongfeng BOX. For that premium it adds 31 kW faster peak rapid charging, 115 litres more boot space and 38 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Hyundai Ioniq 3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Dongfeng BOX or the Hyundai Ioniq 3?
The Dongfeng BOX is £2,245 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Dongfeng BOX comes out roughly £2,165 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 160 miles for the Dongfeng BOX and 178 miles for the Hyundai Ioniq 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Hyundai Ioniq 3 goes roughly 17 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Dongfeng BOX or the Hyundai Ioniq 3?
The two are within 10 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai Ioniq 3 and about 590 mm of total clearance for the Dongfeng BOX.
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 Dongfeng BOX comparisons
More Hyundai Ioniq 3 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 Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Dongfeng BOX and Hyundai Ioniq 3 rank among the best city EVs
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .