BYD Atto 3 vs MG ZS EV
Verdict
These are both front-drive, single-motor electric SUVs with five seats, but the BYD Atto 3 has the stronger EV numbers. It makes 201 hp to the MG ZS EV’s 174 hp, gets to 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds versus 8.0 seconds, and has a 60.5 kWh battery for 420 km of range. The MG counters with a slightly bigger boot, 448 litres against 434 litres, and a lower RM120 annual road tax. For daily Malaysian use, the BYD’s extra 100 km of range is the key gap.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you want the longer range, stronger motor and larger C-segment footprint.
Pick the MG ZS EV if boot space, lower road tax and a slightly smaller SUV matter more than range.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; MG ZS EV RM126,629
- Power: BYD Atto 3 201 hp; MG ZS EV 174 hp
- EV range: BYD Atto 3 420 km; MG ZS EV 320 km
- Battery: BYD Atto 3 60.5 kWh; MG ZS EV 51.1 kWh
- Wheelbase: BYD Atto 3 2,720 mm; MG ZS EV 2,585 mm
- Boot space: BYD Atto 3 434 litres; MG ZS EV 448 litres
Atto 3
- 201 hp motor is stronger than the MG’s 174 hp unit
- 420 km EV range is 100 km longer
- Longer 2,720 mm wheelbase
- Boot is smaller at 434 litres
- Road tax is higher at RM160 a year
- Top speed is not stated
ZS EV
- 448-litre boot is larger than the BYD’s
- Lower RM120 annual road tax
- 170 km/h top speed is stated
- 320 km range trails the BYD by 100 km
- 174 hp motor is down on power
- Shorter five-year warranty
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 125,800✓ | RM 126,629 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp✓ | 174 hp |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm✓ | 280 Nm |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Lithium-ion |
| Battery Capacity | 60.48 kWh✓ | 51.1 kWh |
| EV Range | 420 km✓ | 320 km |
| Charger Type (AC) | Type 2 | Type 2 |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | 7 kW |
| Charger Type (DC) | CCS | CCS |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | 50 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 | 2.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 8 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 170 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,323 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,809 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,625 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,585 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres | 448 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/55R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Tyre Repair Kit |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Michelin Primacy 3 ST |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Chassis | Unibody | Unibody |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Struts |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloys |
| Front Brakes | Ventilated Discs | Ventilated Discs |
| Rear Brakes | Solid Discs | Solid Discs |
| 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 On Outer Two 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 | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Powered Driver Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 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 | Panoramic Glass Roof |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 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 | Sunroof Shade |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6 Speakers | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wired Apple CarPlay & Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down |
| 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 | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes, 360-degree Camera |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | Unlimited✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 5 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | 8-year/150,000 km Battery Warranty |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM 160 | RM 120✓ |
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.
Atto 3 vs ZS EV FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or MG ZS EV better?
The BYD Atto 3 is the stronger pick on paper, with more power, quicker acceleration, a bigger battery and 420 km range. The MG ZS EV mainly fights back with a larger boot and lower road tax.
What is the price difference?
The MG ZS EV costs RM126,629, while the BYD Atto 3 costs RM125,800. That makes the MG RM829 more expensive before looking at running costs.
Which one has the longer range?
The BYD Atto 3 has the longer range at 420 km from a 60.5 kWh battery. The MG ZS EV is rated at 320 km from a 51.1 kWh battery.