Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 2 April 2026
The Dongfeng Box has been updated for the 2026 model year with improved safety equipment, while retaining its $29,990 launch offer price.
It has gained side and curtain airbags, taking the total airbag count to six. A split folding rear seat and integrated Apple Carplay is now standard.
When the Dongfeng Box first launched in New Zealand, it lacked the side and curtain airbags fitted to the European-specification car that achieved a three-star Euro NCAP rating.
Autotrader and its sister publication AutoTalk broke the story about the differing safety specifications on this model.
Both ANCAP and NZTA declined to extend that rating to the New Zealand car, with NZTA taking the unusual step of labelling it unrated on its Rightcar website.
No official news has been shared yet regarding a safety rating for this updated model, but it’s likely the local distributor is hoping to get the three-star Euro NCAP rating carried over. In saying this, it is still lacking a driver monitoring system, which will deduct points in the safety score.
While the Box retains its $29,990 launch offer for the time being, it’s noted that this will return to the standard price of $32,990 at the end of May.
“As part of the new MY26 upgrades, we have been able to negotiate extra stock and also accelerate supply from Dongfeng. This means there will be a greater number of new BOX available even sooner for Kiwi motorists,” said Simon Rutherford, CEO, Armstrong’s Distribution Limited.
