If you’ve never heard of Dongfeng before, you’re not alone. The name doesn’t (yet) have the brand cachet of Toyota or Tesla in this part of the world, but in China it’s one of the “Big Four” carmakers and has been building cars since 1969.
Now they’ve decided they want their own slice of the EV pie, and one of the tastiest-looking slices is this: the DongFeng Box (also known as Nammi 01 elsewhere). It lands firmly in the “budget EV” camp on price, but on spec and ‘feel’ it’s punching well above its weight. In other words, this little Box ticks a lot of boxes.
Let’s get the sniggering out of the way first. When someone offers you a ‘small Dong’ to drive, the gags start to write themselves. Car makes and names have a way of being incredibly important for some cultures, and maybe having a Dong up your driveway could be an issue for some Kiwi’s, or maybe this very cost-effective EV will rise above such childish schoolyard banter.
The first impression? Cute. Properly cute. The Box doesn’t try to pretend it’s a hot hatch or a track weapon. There’s no angry grille, no faux diffusers or pretend quad exhausts. Instead, it leans fully into a playful, youthful vibe, think Mini Cooper that’s been to a tech conference and came back with a cleaner, more modern wardrobe. Its compact, upright proportions and rounded edges give it a friendly, approachable look.The front end is refreshingly simple, a neat, almost toy-like “face” with sleek LED headlights that bleed into the front panel to give a slightly futuristic touch without going full sci‑fi concept car.
Because it’s small and well, boxy, the Box looks purpose-built for city life, weaving through tight streets, slotting neatly into tight car parks and pulling U‑turns on roads where bigger SUVs have to three‑point their way around. Basically, in a sea of angry crossovers, this thing looks like it’s here for a good time, not a lap time (although it’s here for a nap time too – more on that later).
Crack open the door and you’re met with a bit of a shock, this “budget” car doesn’t look or feel like a penalty box. Front and centre is a big 12‑inch infotainment screen sitting proudly on the dash, the kind of digital real estate you’d expect on something with a far bigger price tag.mIt sharpens up the whole cabin, acting as both visual anchor and tech hub.
But it’s the details that really throw you. The doors and dashboard are finished with padded quilted panels, not hard, shiny plastics that shout “cost-cutting”, but soft-touch materials that give the interior an unexpectedly premium feel. Even the glovebox looks like a designer handbag lid rather than a cheap moulded cubby. The window switches and sliders carry the same “atas” (upmarket) vibe, restrained, well-finished, and far from the flimsy toggles you might be bracing for at this price. They do however open and close the windows the wrong way – you do get used to it.
Comfort and space is where the Box quietly rewrites the rulebook. Thanks to its 2663mm EV footprint, it genuinely seats five adults, not four humans and one unlucky centre-seat sacrifice. Legroom is generous both front and rear, and even with the front seats pushed all the way back, your rear passengers won’t be doing the knees‑to‑chest budget‑airline pose. The way the interior space is carved out means the Box feels like someone grabbed a city car and TARDIS‑ed the cabin. For urban families, rideshare drivers, or just friend groups who refuse to take two cars, that matters.
And then there’s the spec sheet of comfort goodies, heated and ventilated driver’s seat, 32-colour Ambient lighting, Wireless charging, Cabin filter, 6 speaker stereo – it edges into “how on earth did they afford to put this in here?” territory. While on the matter of seats, the front ones lie flat for those that like to take a little nap while waiting for the battery to charge (or the kids), and there are themes that play on the infotainment.
Along with that, the 12‑inch central display does most of the heavy lifting in the cabin. It’s your media, navigation, settings and, crucially, your control centre for features like the ventilated seat and drive assists. Which include, built‑in TPMS (Tyre Pressure Monitoring System), Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keep Assist, Front Collision Warning & Brake Force Distribution, 360‑degree camera system, Automated Parking Assist – a feature that not long ago was reserved for high-end luxury brands. For buyers stepping into their first EV (or even their first car) this suite of tech makes the ownership experience feel safely futuristic rather than intimidating.
Underneath its cute exterior sits a properly thought-out EV platform. The highlight is the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery. LFP chemistry is known for its longevity and thermal stability, it tends to degrade more slowly over time and is happier being charged to a higher state of charge day‑in, day‑out. For budget-conscious buyers planning to keep the car for a long stretch, that’s a huge tick, less range anxiety about the battery’s future, not just its present.
Let’s talk range, Dongfeng claim the Box will travel 317km WLTP (430km CTLC) and I picked it up with 430km range and 2345km on the odo. I opted to recharge at 55km with the odo posting 2623km. That makes it 278km traveled with 55km left, so 333km. I did spend a fair chunk of time in Eco, but with the AC on full, so claimed WLTP+ is more than probable.
The 70kW electric motor itself is tuned right in the sweet spot for a small city hatch: there’s enough shove to make it feel zippy and eager off the line, especially in urban cut-and-thrust. Flick it into Sport Mode and the Box livens up, to the point where you’ll probably leave it there most of the time. But I also want to say ‘don’t expect miracles’, if you load this Box up with the family and head for the hills, it does labour significantly. Also don’t challenge anyone for a sprint race.
In saying that, the Box doesn’t pretend to be a performance EV, but within its city-car brief it’s genuinely fun. The instant electric torque makes darting into gaps and zipping away from lights satisfying, and Sport Mode sharpens it up enough that you might catch yourself grinning more than you’d expect from something this practical.
There is one learning curve, the braking feel. The Box uses regenerative braking in tandem with hydraulic brakes. However, the hydraulic brakes don’t always bite as early as you might expect, and the regen doesn’t seem to ramp up proportionally as you press harder. The result? In normal slowing, you might find it coasts a bit more than anticipated before really digging in. But once you adapt and press the pedal a little deeper to bring in the hydraulics, it becomes second nature.
The suspension tune is another pleasant surprise. Around town it’s composed and comfortable, soaking up bumps and scars without feeling floaty. Lateral movement is nicely restrained, so passengers won’t be swaying side to side every time you swing around a corner. But push it hard and the Box’s limits show, body roll appears when you really hustle it through fast bends, and it’s clearly not set up for high‑speed canyon carving. Driven as intended (as a city-focused, daily-use EV) the suspension is well-judged and confidence inspiring.
Plus, with a turning circle of under 11 metres, the DongFeng Box is a tight-space assassin. Old-school multistorey car parks, tight kerbside gaps, narrow service roads – it shrugs them off. For newer drivers or anyone graduating from a scooter or public transport, that ease of manoeuvring makes urban driving dramatically less stressful.
Tarmac Takeaway
The DongFeng Box arrives wearing a budget badge but armed with a feature list and driving experience that feel anything but. In fact, you’d be impressed to see this much in a car twice the price. Yes, the brake feel takes a little acclimatisation, and no, it’s not built for attacking mountain passes. But as an everyday EV that’s affordable, practical, well-specced and genuinely likeable, the DongFeng Box ticks a remarkable number of boxes.
If you want an EV that doesn’t take itself too seriously, makes city life easier, and quietly serves up big‑car features in a small, friendly package, this Box is well worth opening.
