Verdict
At RM125,800, the BYD Atto 3 asks RM2,000 more than the GAC Emkoo, but changes the ownership brief entirely: its 60.48-kWh battery claims 420 km, while the Emkoo uses a 55-litre petrol tank. The BYD is quicker at 7.3 seconds to 100 km/h versus 8.8, and has 110-kW DC charging plus 3.3-kW V2L. The locally assembled Emkoo counters with a much larger 638-litre boot against 434 litres, 19-inch wheels and a head-up display. Pick based on charging access versus cargo capacity.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if dependable charging, a claimed 420-km EV range, 7.3-second acceleration and V2L matter more than maximum boot space.
Pick the GAC Emkoo if you want the lower entry price, a 638-litre boot, 19-inch wheels and a head-up display in a petrol SUV.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; GAC Emkoo RM123,800.
- Powertrain: Atto 3 has one 201-hp, 310-Nm electric motor; Emkoo has a 1.5-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder with 175 hp and 270 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Atto 3 7.3 seconds; Emkoo 8.8 seconds.
- Boot space: Atto 3 434 litres; Emkoo 638 litres.
- Length: Atto 3 4,455 mm; Emkoo 4,680 mm.
- Wheels: Atto 3 18-inch alloys with 235/50R18 tyres; Emkoo 19-inch two-tone alloys with 235/55R19 tyres.
Atto 3
- Claimed 420-km range from a 60.48-kWh battery, with 110-kW DC charging.
- Quicker 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time and stronger 310-Nm motor torque.
- Stop-and-go adaptive cruise control and auto high beam.
- 434-litre boot is 204 litres smaller than the Emkoo's.
- No head-up display or alarm.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Emkoo's space-saver spare.
Emkoo
- 638-litre boot is substantially larger than the Atto 3's 434 litres.
- Head-up display and six front plus six rear parking sensors.
- Seven-year, 180,000-km powertrain warranty.
- 8.8-second 0-100 km/h time trails the Atto 3's 7.3 seconds.
- Five-year, 150,000-km manufacturer warranty is shorter than the Atto 3's six-year, 150,000-km cover.
- Only the driver's seat is ventilated; the Atto 3 ventilates both front seats.
What the Emkoo has over the Atto 3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
Boot space favours the Emkoo: 638 litres against 434.
Representative body-type outlines, drawn to scale from each car's length and height.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800 | RM123,800✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM120✓ |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,285/mo | RM1,265/mo✓ |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,519 | RM3,498✓ |
| Fuel or electricity / year (est.) | RM1,280 | — |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.40 | — |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM24,791 | — |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 8.6 hours | — |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 40 min | — |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,497 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 175 hp at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | — | 270 Nm at 1,400 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 60.48 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 420 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Transmission Name | — | 7DCT |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 8.8 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 190 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,680 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,901 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,670 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,750 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,540 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 55 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres | 638 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 235/55R19 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental EcoContact 6 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | — |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 17 inch | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 19" Two-tone Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | Manual for Rear Doors |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | Yes |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | Steering Correction |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | ✓ |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Full LED |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Powered Front Seats with Ventilated Driver's Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding with Manual Recline |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 1 USB Rear |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6 Speakers | 10.1" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, 6-speaker Sound System |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | Powered Boot |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 6 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree View Monitor |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Fuel at RM1.99/litre (RON95, subsidised). Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Atto 3 & Emkoo for sale
Our reviews & guides
BYD Atto 3
Atto 3 vs Emkoo FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or GAC Emkoo better?
The Atto 3 is the better fit for buyers with reliable charging who want 420 km of claimed range, faster acceleration and V2L. The Emkoo is better for buyers who need its 638-litre boot and prefer petrol power.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM2,000 more than the GAC Emkoo.
Which SUV has more boot space?
The GAC Emkoo has the larger boot at 638 litres, beating the BYD Atto 3's 434 litres by 204 litres.
How long does charging take?
The Atto 3's 60.5 kWh battery takes about 8.6 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 40 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 110 kW peak.
Which one is locally assembled?
The Emkoo is assembled in Malaysia (CKD), while the Atto 3 is fully imported (CBU) from China. Local assembly generally helps pricing and spare-parts supply, and CKD programmes usually signal a longer-term commitment to the model here.
Which has the better warranty?
The Atto 3 carries a 6-year manufacturer warranty against 5 years for the Emkoo. Atto 3: 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty. Emkoo: 7 Year, 180,000 km Powertrain Warranty.