2024 DFSK Box E3 Review

In recent years, the choices in Malaysia's C-segment electric vehicle (EV) market have increased, prompting many family users to shift towards fully electric models with sufficient range and practical space. The 2024 DFSK Box E3, as a new option in this segment, focuses on balanced features and practical space. In this test drive, we will specifically evaluate its performance in daily commuting and short family trips to see if it meets the core needs of mainstream users.

At first glance, the DFSK Box E3 features a simple family-oriented design. The front end adopts a closed design, paired with slim LED daytime running lights, providing decent recognition. The car's side profile is sleek, with a length of 4,020mm and a wheelbase of 2,650mm, ensuring compact but not cramped proportions. The LED taillight setup at the rear echoes the design of the front, and there’s a slight spoiler design on the top edge of the trunk. Overall, it avoids overly aggressive elements, aligning well with its family-oriented positioning.

Sitting inside the car, the interior is predominantly dark-colored, with the 12.8-inch touchscreen at the center console serving as the visual focal point. Its operating smoothness is decent, and it can display navigation, vehicle status, and other information. The multifunction steering wheel supports basic controls, while the full LCD instrument panel clearly shows data such as range and speed. As for materials, the top of the dashboard is wrapped in soft-touch materials, which, while not luxurious, deliver an acceptable tactile feel. In terms of features, keyless entry, automatic air conditioning, and a 360-degree panoramic camera are all standard, offering convenience for daily use. The front seats are manually adjustable, with moderate support. For rear space, a passenger with a height of 175cm can sit comfortably, leaving about two fist-widths of legroom, and the headroom is sufficient without touching the roof. The trunk has a capacity of 326 liters, with the rear seats supporting full folding, making it suitable for storing strollers or luggage for short trips, fulfilling family utility needs.

In the power department, the Box E3 is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum horsepower of 95PS and peak torque of 160N·m. It starts off briskly, and the response for overtaking or lane changing is sufficient under urban conditions. However, after exceeding 100km/h on the highway, the acceleration thrust diminishes, making it more fitting for smooth driving. There are two driving modes: Standard and Eco. In Eco mode, the power output is softer, which helps reduce power consumption during commutes. The chassis adopts a front MacPherson + rear torsion beam suspension setup. It performs adequately in absorbing common urban speed bumps and minor vibrations without harsh jolts. During cornering, the body roll is kept within a reasonable range, and the overall stability meets the expectations of a family car.

In terms of range, the official claim is 430km. During testing on mixed road conditions with equal parts of city congestion and highway driving, the actual range was about 380km, achieving approximately 90% of the claimed figure, which is quite good. Fast charging can charge up to 80% in 0.5 hours, making emergency charging convenient for daily use. Power consumption is about 12kWh/100km in city conditions and rises to around 15kWh/100km on highways, which is within the normal range for this segment. Additionally, the vehicle's noise control is quite good. At speeds below 60km/h, motor noise is almost inaudible. While tire noise becomes slightly more noticeable at high speeds, it does not hinder normal conversations.

In summary, the core strength of the 2024 DFSK Box E3 lies in its balanced configuration — standard features such as adaptive cruise control (ACC), 360-degree panoramic cameras, and automated parking provide practical utility. Compared to competitors in the same price range, its feature level is not low. The space and range are also sufficient to meet daily family needs. However, with only two airbags, it lags behind some competitors that offer multiple airbags in terms of safety configuration.

This car is more suitable for family users who prioritize practicality, especially those with a daily commute distance within 50km and occasionally need short-distance family trips. It does not have particularly outstanding performance highlights, but it achieves a balance in space, configuration, and range, making it a pragmatic household pure electric commuter car.