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Dacia Spring vs Dongfeng BOX
Selected trimExpression Electric 70Change trim139 mi · 24 kWh · £11,990
Selected trimStandard193 mi · 42 kWh · £20,000
At a glance
In this comparison, Dacia Spring leads on running costs and city driving, while the Dongfeng BOX leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Dacia Spring if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
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
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Dongfeng BOX leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueDongfeng
Dacia
4.9
Dongfeng
6.1
Motorway RangeDongfeng
Dacia
3.3
Dongfeng
4.3
FamilyDongfeng
Dacia
2.8
Dongfeng
5.1
ChargingDongfeng
Dacia
3.5
Dongfeng
4
Cost Per MileDacia
Dacia
9.5
Dongfeng
8.2
City DrivingDacia
Dacia
9.7
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 | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £11,990 (better) | £20,000 |
| Official range | 139 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L | 326 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec (better) | 12.5 sec |
Size Comparison
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Dacia Spring
Dongfeng BOX
Length
Dacia Spring3,701mm-319mm
Dongfeng BOX4,020mm
Width
Dacia Spring1,583mm-227mm
Dongfeng BOX1,810mm
Height
Dacia Spring1,489mm-81mm
Dongfeng BOX1,570mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,701 mm | 4,020 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,583 mm (better) | 1,810 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,767 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,489 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.6 m | Not available |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 817 mm spare (better) | 590 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L | 326 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1004 L (better) | 945 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Dacia Spring
- Uses 124 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- At 3,701 mm, shorter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.6 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our database.
Dongfeng BOX
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 |  Dongfeng BOX Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.70m | 4.02m+319mm |
| Width | 1.58m | 1.81m+227mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.77m | Not available |
| Height | 1.49m | 1.57m+81mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.42m | 2.60m+177mm |
| Ground Clearance | 146mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L | 326L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1004L (better) | 945L |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.6m | Not available |
| Kerb Weight | 984kg (better) | 1,312kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 42kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 139 mi | 193 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 40kW | 88kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £11,990 (better) | £20,000 |
| 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 | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 139 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 95 miles | 160 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 40 kW | 88 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 7 kW |
| Energy consumption | 124 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 24 kWh | 42 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec (better) | 12.5 sec |
| Power | 52 kW | 70 kW (better) |
| Torque | 137 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.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
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.
Dacia Spring
All 3 videos
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 - Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant49%
Child Occupant56%
Vulnerable Road Users39%
Safety Assist32%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
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 | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Dongfeng BOXBase |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | Not available |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | Not available |
Buying options
Get a quote
Dacia Spring
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Dongfeng BOX
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Dacia Spring
- £10,9992026Cars2View
- £11,2992026Cars2View
Dongfeng BOX
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dongfeng BOX worth the extra £8,010 over the Dacia Spring?
The Dongfeng BOX costs £8,010 more than the Dacia Spring. For that premium it adds 53 miles more WLTP range, 48 kW faster peak rapid charging and 1 more seat (5 versus 4). On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Dongfeng BOX comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Dacia Spring or the Dongfeng BOX?
The Dacia Spring is £8,010 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 Dacia Spring comes out roughly £8,090 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 95 miles for the Dacia Spring 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 65 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 Dacia Spring or the Dongfeng BOX?
The Dacia Spring is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 227 mm narrower than the Dongfeng BOX. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 817 mm of total clearance for the Dacia Spring and about 590 mm of total clearance for the Dongfeng BOX.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Dacia Spring or the Dongfeng BOX?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Dacia Spring 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 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 Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX rank among the best city EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and Dongfeng BOX rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .