Verdict
These two C-segment SUVs are close on boot capacity – 434 litres in the BYD versus 430 litres in the Mazda – but their use cases diverge sharply. The Atto 3’s 60.48-kWh battery, 420-km range and 110-kW DC charging suit buyers able to charge regularly, while its 201-hp, 310-Nm motor reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. The CX-30 brings a 51-litre petrol tank and a rated 6.4 L/100 km, plus a space-saver spare. Its RM439 annual road tax is RM279 more than the BYD’s RM160.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if home or workplace charging is available and you want 420 km of EV range, 110-kW DC charging and a much fuller active-safety suite.
Pick the Mazda CX-30 if you need petrol refuelling flexibility, a space-saver spare tyre and locally assembled CKD ownership.
Key differences
- Powertrain: Atto 3 has one 201-hp, 310-Nm electric motor; CX-30 has a 1,998-cc petrol engine with 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- Energy use: Atto 3 has a 60.48-kWh battery and 420-km range; CX-30 has a 51-litre tank and a rated 6.4 L/100 km.
- Charging/road tax: Atto 3 supports 7-kW AC and 110-kW DC charging with RM160 annual road tax; CX-30 has no charging rate and costs RM439 a year in road tax.
- Size: Atto 3 is 4,455 mm long with a 2,720-mm wheelbase; CX-30 is 4,395 mm long with a 2,655-mm wheelbase.
- Safety assistance: Atto 3 has autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping steering correction; CX-30 lists none of these systems.
- Wheels: Atto 3 uses 18-inch wheels with 235/50R18 tyres; CX-30 uses 16-inch wheels with 215/65R16 tyres.
Atto 3
- 420-km EV range and 110-kW DC charging
- 201 hp and 310 Nm, with a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time
- Autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
- No spare tyre; only a tyre repair kit versus the CX-30’s space saver
- 1,750 kg kerb weight is 309 kg heavier than the CX-30
CX-30
- 51-litre petrol tank and rated 6.4 L/100 km economy
- Space-saver spare tyre and standard alarm
- Head-up display and driver’s knee airbag
- No autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
- Manual front-seat adjustment and manual air-conditioning
- No rear air-con vents
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800 | RM122,409✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 162 hp |
| Torque | — | 213 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore | — | 83.5 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| 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 |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Rated Economy | — | 6.4 L/100 km |
| Top Speed | — | 196 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,395 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,795 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,540 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,655 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,441 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 51 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres✓ | 430 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/65R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/65R16 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Yokohama BluEarth-GT AE51 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control Plus |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| 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 Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | — | Emergency Stop Signal |
| 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 | Manual Adjustment |
| 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 | Front, Tilt and Slide |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front |
| 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 | 8.8" MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, 8 Speakers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation with Walk-away Auto Lock |
| 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 | Powered with Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 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 |
| Convenience Notes | — | 7" TFT LCD Digital Instrument Cluster Display with Analogue Dials |
| 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-30 for sale
Atto 3 vs CX-30 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Mazda CX-30 better?
The Atto 3 is the better choice for buyers with dependable charging access, thanks to its 420-km range, 110-kW DC charging and active-safety systems. Choose the CX-30 for petrol refuelling, a space-saver spare and a head-up display.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM125,800 and the Mazda CX-30 costs RM122,409, so the Atto 3 is RM3,391 dearer.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Atto 3 has lower annual road tax at RM160, compared with RM439 for the CX-30. That is an annual saving of RM279 for the BYD.