Verdict
The Proton eMas 5 is the budget route into this pair, with a 375-litre boot, six airbags and a 60:40 rear seat, but its 30.12-kWh battery and 225-km range make charging planning more important. The Dongfeng Box goes 430 km from 42.3 kWh, has 94 hp and DC charging at 70 kW, against 77 hp and 53 kW. It also gets adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera. Yet the Box has only two airbags; that is a serious trade-off against the Proton’s six.
Pick the Dongfeng Box if you need the 430-km range, 70-kW DC charging and active parking aids for longer trips.
Pick the Proton eMas 5 if six airbags, a larger 375-litre boot and a 60:40 split-folding rear seat matter more than outright range.
Key differences
- Motor output: Dongfeng Box 94 hp and 160 Nm; Proton eMas 5 77 hp and 130 Nm.
- Battery capacity: Dongfeng Box 42.3 kWh; Proton eMas 5 30.12 kWh.
- EV range: Dongfeng Box 430 km; Proton eMas 5 225 km.
- DC charging: Dongfeng Box 70 kW; Proton eMas 5 53 kW.
- Boot space: Dongfeng Box 326 litres; Proton eMas 5 375 litres.
- Airbags: Dongfeng Box 2; Proton eMas 5 6.
Box
- 430-km EV range from a 42.3-kWh battery
- 94 hp, 160 Nm and 70-kW DC charging
- Adaptive cruise control, autonomous braking and 360-degree camera
- Only two airbags versus the Proton’s six
- 326-litre boot is 49 litres smaller
- One-piece rear bench versus 60:40 split-folding seats
eMas 5
- Six airbags and blind spot information system
- 375-litre boot with 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- 14.6-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 225-km range is 205 km shorter
- 77 hp and 130 Nm trail the Box’s 94 hp and 160 Nm
- No adaptive cruise control, auto parking or 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000 | RM59,800✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM50 | RM30✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 94 hp✓ | 77 hp |
| Motor Torque | 160 Nm✓ | 130 Nm |
| Battery Capacity | 42.3 kWh✓ | 30.12 kWh |
| EV Range | 430 km✓ | 225 km |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 6.6 kW | 6.6 kW |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 70 kW✓ | 53 kW |
| V2L | 3.6 kW | 3.3 kW |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| Top Speed | 140 km/h✓ | 125 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,030 mm | 4,135 mm |
| Width | 1,810 mm | 1,805 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,580 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,660 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | 1,342 kg | 1,230 kg |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 326 litres | 375 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 215/55R17 | 205/65R15 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/55R17 | 205/65R15 |
| Spare Tyre | Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Wanli Harmonic Plus | Linglong Comfort Master |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloys | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 2 (Driver and Front Passenger) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | — | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual For Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | — | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available On Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Warning Only |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | Halogen Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustable | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | One-piece Folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | — | Rear AC Vents |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 USB | 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights and Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front |
| Audio | 12.8" Touchscreen | 14.6" Touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up & Down | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Start (Depress Brake Pedal) | Keyless Entry (Depress Brake Pedal) |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 6 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 6 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, 360-degree Surround View | Yes |
| Auto Parking | Yes | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 7 years✓ | 6 years |
| Warranty Notes | Limited to the first owner only; 8-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty | 8-Year/160,000 km BEV and Components Warranty, 8-year/160,000 km Battery Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
Used Box & eMas 5 for sale
Box vs eMas 5 FAQ
Is the Dongfeng Box or Proton eMas 5 better?
The Dongfeng Box is better for range, performance and charging, with 430 km, 94 hp and 70-kW DC charging. The Proton eMas 5 is the better choice for six airbags, a larger boot and split-folding rear seats.
What is the price difference?
The Dongfeng Box costs RM100,000 and the Proton eMas 5 costs RM59,800, so the difference is RM40,200.
Which has better safety equipment?
The Proton eMas 5 has the stronger passive-safety count with six airbags against two. The Dongfeng Box counters with autonomous braking, collision warning, adaptive cruise control and a 360-degree camera, which the Proton lacks.
