Verdict
The RM125,800 BYD Atto 3 costs RM8,669 less than the RM134,469 Mazda CX-5, yet brings a 201 hp, 310 Nm electric motor, 420 km range and a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time. Its RM160 annual road tax is also far below the Mazda’s RM439. The CX-5 answers with a 442-litre boot, 56-litre petrol tank and locally assembled CKD status, but its 162 hp, 213 Nm 2.0-litre petrol powertrain needs 10.4 seconds to 100 km/h. For a buyer with dependable charging access, the Atto 3 is the more richly equipped choice.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you can charge regularly and want 201 hp, 310 Nm, 420 km of range, lower road tax and active safety aids including autonomous braking.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you need the 56-litre petrol tank, a 442-litre boot, navigation and a space-saver spare tyre.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469
- Power and torque: BYD Atto 3 201 hp and 310 Nm; Mazda CX-5 162 hp and 213 Nm
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Atto 3 7.3 seconds; Mazda CX-5 10.4 seconds
- Annual road tax: BYD Atto 3 RM160; Mazda CX-5 RM439
- Boot space: BYD Atto 3 434 litres; Mazda CX-5 442 litres
- Warranty: BYD Atto 3 six years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-5 five years/100,000 km
Atto 3
- 201 hp and 310 Nm motor with 7.3-second 0-100 km/h
- 420 km range, 110 kW DC charging and 3.3 kW V2L
- Autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring and 360-degree camera
- 434-litre boot is 8 litres smaller than the Mazda’s
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Mazda’s space-saver spare
- No built-in navigation where the Mazda has it
CX-5
- 442-litre boot and 56-litre petrol tank
- Space-saver spare tyre and built-in navigation
- Dual-zone automatic climate control and 40:20:40 rear seat split
- 162 hp and 213 Nm trail the BYD’s 201 hp and 310 Nm
- 10.4-second 0-100 km/h time is 3.1 seconds slower
- No autonomous braking, blind spot monitoring or lane-keeping assist
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800✓ | RM134,469 |
| 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 with Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres | 442 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | 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 for two outer rear passenger seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | Remote Control Activation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
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-5 for sale
Atto 3 vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Mazda CX-5 better?
The BYD Atto 3 is the better choice for buyers with charging access: it is quicker, has lower annual road tax, a longer warranty and more driver-assistance equipment. Choose the Mazda CX-5 for petrol refuelling, its slightly larger boot, navigation and spare tyre.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 is RM8,669 cheaper than the Mazda CX-5. That gap also leaves the Atto 3 with a 420 km EV range, 110 kW DC charging, 360-degree camera and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Which has the lower running tax and stronger performance?
The BYD Atto 3 has RM160 annual road tax against RM439 for the Mazda CX-5. Its 201 hp and 310 Nm also produce a 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time, versus 162 hp, 213 Nm and 10.4 seconds for the Mazda.