VS
At a Glance
Power
70 kW
77 kW
Torque
160 Nm
138 Nm
Fuel
TBA l/100km
5.7 l/100km
Towing
—
1000 Kg
Engine
electric cc
1462 cc
Choosing between the Dongfeng BOX and the Suzuki Baleno is one of the most common decisions South African car buyers face. The Dongfeng BOX delivers 70 kW while the Suzuki Baleno produces 77 kW. On fuel, the BOX returns TBA l/100km while the Baleno uses 5.7 l/100km — important in a market where fuel prices change monthly. Pricing starts at R349 000 for the BOX and R341 900 for the Baleno. Both vehicles have their merits. The right choice depends on your priorities: fuel economy, performance, towing ability, safety features or total cost of ownership. This comparison covers every specification available so you can make an informed decision.
Performance
Power Output
70 kW
77 kW
Torque
160 Nm
138 Nm
Top Speed
140 Km/h
—
Engine & Drivetrain
Engine Capacity
electric cc
1462 cc
Engine Layout
—
inline
Cylinders
—
4
Fuel Type
electric
petrol
Transmission
automatic
automatic
Number of Gears
—
4
Drive Wheels
front
front
Fuel Economy
Fuel Consumption Average
TBA l/100km
5.7 l/100km
Fuel Tank Capacity
43.9 kWh l
37 l
CO2 Emissions
—
133 g/km
Dimensions
Length
4020 mm
3990 mm
Width
1810 mm
1745 mm
Height
1570 mm
1500 mm
Wheelbase
2663 mm
2520 mm
Ground Clearance
—
150 mm
Kerb Weight
1342 Kg
985 Kg
Doors
5
5
Seats
5
5
Load Volume
—
314-1057 l
Towing & Payload
Towing Capacity
—
1000 Kg
Load Capacity
375 l
—
Safety
ABS
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
EBD
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Brake Assist
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Stability Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Traction Control
✓ Standard
—
Airbag Count
2
6
Driver Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Passenger Airbag
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Side Airbags Front
—
✓ Standard
Curtain Airbags
—
✓ Standard
Features & Tech
Air Conditioning
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Climate Control
—
✓ Standard
Cruise Control
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Bluetooth
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Reversing Camera
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Park Distance Rear
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Heated Seats
✓ Standard
—
Keyless Entry
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Alloy Wheels
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Warranty & Service
Warranty Period
5 vehicle / 8 battery + high voltage par
5
Warranty Distance
150000 vehicle / 200000 battery + high v
200000 Km
Service Plan
✓ Standard
✓ Standard
Service Plan Years
5
4
Service Plan Distance
100000
60000
Service Intervals
—
15000
The Verdict
Which Wins?
Overall Winner
Suzuki Baleno
3 / 4 categories
Performance
Baleno
Fuel Economy
Tied
Value
Baleno
Practicality
Baleno
Pros & Cons
Dongfeng BOX
Well-rounded specification
Less power than rival (70 kW vs 77 kW)
Higher starting price
Suzuki Baleno
More powerful engine (77 kW)
Lower starting price (R341 900)
Higher towing capacity (1000 Kg)
Few notable weaknesses
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more fuel efficient, the BOX or Baleno?
The BOX uses TBA l/100km and the Baleno uses 5.7 l/100km on the combined cycle. In South African conditions with a mix of highway and urban driving, real-world figures will be slightly higher.
Which has more power, the BOX or Baleno?
The BOX produces 70 kW and 160 Nm of torque while the Baleno delivers 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque. The Baleno is the more powerful option.
What is the price difference between the BOX and Baleno?
The BOX starts from R349 000 and the Baleno from R341 900. The Baleno is cheaper by R7 100 at this variant level. Final on-the-road pricing varies by dealer and specification.
Which has a higher towing capacity, the BOX or Baleno?
The BOX has a braked towing capacity of 0 Kg and the Baleno can tow 1000 Kg. Always verify towing limits in the owner's manual before hitching a trailer.
Should I buy the BOX or the Baleno?
It depends on your priorities. If fuel economy matters most, check the L/100km figures above. If you need towing capacity, compare the towing ratings. For day-to-day South African driving - load shedding runs, potholed roads, school runs and highway commutes - consider ground clearance, service network coverage, and total cost of ownership including insurance and maintenance. Use the spec tables above to compare every detail before making your decision.