Verdict
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM125,800 to the Mazda CX-3’s RM107,920, a RM17,880 step up that buys a 201 hp, 310 Nm electric motor, 60.48 kWh battery and 420 km range. It is also materially roomier: 180 mm longer, 150 mm wider and with an 84-litre larger boot. The CX-3 is 449 kg lighter and brings a 48-litre petrol tank, but its 1.5-litre petrol engine has 114 hp and 149 Nm. For a Malaysian buyer with reliable charging, the Atto 3 is the more capable family SUV; the Mazda suits a lower upfront outlay.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you can charge at home or work and want 420 km EV range, 434 litres of boot space and substantially stronger 201 hp/310 Nm performance.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if a RM17,880 lower purchase price, a 48-litre petrol tank and a 1,301 kg kerb weight matter more than EV range and extra cabin space.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Powertrain: Atto 3 201 hp/310 Nm electric motor; CX-3 114 hp/149 Nm 1,496 cc petrol engine.
- Size: Atto 3 4,455 mm long with a 2,720 mm wheelbase; CX-3 4,275 mm long with a 2,570 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: Atto 3 434 litres; CX-3 350 litres.
- Kerb weight: Atto 3 1,750 kg; CX-3 1,301 kg.
- Warranty: Atto 3 six years/150,000 km; CX-3 five years/100,000 km.
Atto 3
- 201 hp and 310 Nm electric motor with 420 km range.
- 434-litre boot and 2,720 mm wheelbase.
- Autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop and go.
- RM17,880 more expensive.
- 449 kg heavier.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the CX-3’s space-saver spare.
CX-3
- RM17,880 lower purchase price and 449 kg lower kerb weight.
- 48-litre petrol tank and space-saver spare tyre.
- Head-up display and driver’s seat memory function.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the Atto 3’s 201 hp and 310 Nm.
- 350-litre boot is 84 litres smaller.
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800 | RM107,920✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | RM120✓ |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 114 hp |
| Torque | — | 149 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 74.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| 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 for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 front, 2 USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 2 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6 Speakers | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers |
| 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 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 | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service |
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.
Used Atto 3 & CX-3 for sale
Atto 3 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Atto 3 is better for buyers with dependable charging, delivering 420 km range, 201 hp, 310 Nm and a 434-litre boot. Choose the CX-3 for its lower entry price, petrol refuelling convenience and much lower 1,301 kg weight.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM17,880 more than the Mazda CX-3. That gap also brings a 60.48 kWh battery, 420 km stated range, 110 kW DC charging and more active safety equipment.
Which one carries more luggage?
The BYD Atto 3 has the larger boot at 434 litres, versus 350 litres in the Mazda CX-3. Its 2,720 mm wheelbase is also 150 mm longer than the Mazda’s 2,570 mm figure.