Verdict
At RM125,800, the BYD Atto 3 saves RM23,200 and carries lower RM160 annual road tax against the Tesla Model 3’s RM280. Its five-door SUV body, 1,615 mm height, V2L output and ventilated front seats suit buyers wanting everyday versatility. But the Tesla earns its premium with 279 hp and 420 Nm, a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time, 534 km range and 170 kW DC charging. The Atto 3 counters with a longer six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty; its 420 km range is the key compromise for frequent interstate use.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you want to spend RM23,200 less on a taller five-door EV with 3.3 kW V2L, ventilated front seats and stronger vehicle-warranty cover.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you prioritise the 534 km range, 170 kW DC charging, 6.2-second sprint and 594-litre boot over SUV practicality.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Range: BYD Atto 3 420 km; Tesla Model 3 534 km.
- Motor output: BYD Atto 3 201 hp/310 Nm; Tesla Model 3 279 hp/420 Nm.
- DC charging: BYD Atto 3 110 kW; Tesla Model 3 170 kW.
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Atto 3 7.3 seconds; Tesla Model 3 6.2 seconds.
- Boot space: BYD Atto 3 434 litres; Tesla Model 3 594 litres.
Atto 3
- RM23,200 lower purchase price and RM160 annual road tax.
- 3.3 kW V2L, ventilated front seats and a panoramic roof shade.
- Six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty versus four years/80,000 km.
- 420 km range trails the Tesla Model 3’s 534 km.
- 110 kW DC charging is 60 kW below the Tesla Model 3’s 170 kW.
- 201 hp and 310 Nm produce a slower 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time.
Model 3
- 534 km claimed range from a 62.5 kWh battery.
- 279 hp, 420 Nm and a 6.2-second 0-100 km/h time.
- 170 kW DC and 11 kW AC charging, plus a 594-litre boot.
- Costs RM23,200 more and annual road tax is RM120 higher.
- Four-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter than the Atto 3’s six-year/150,000-km cover.
- No V2L, while the Atto 3 supplies up to 3.3 kW.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800✓ | RM149,000 |
| Body type | SUV | Sedan |
| Segment | C-Segment | Compact Executive |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM280 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 400V architecture |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Number of Motors | 1 | 1 |
| Motor Horsepower | 201 hp | 279 hp✓ |
| Motor Torque | 310 Nm | 420 Nm✓ |
| Battery Capacity | 60.48 kWh | 62.5 kWh✓ |
| EV Range | 420 km | 534 km✓ |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | 11 kW✓ |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 110 kW | 170 kW✓ |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Single Ratio Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | Single-ratio Transmission |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Tesla |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | 6.2 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | — | 201 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,720 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 2,089 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,441 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | — |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | — |
| Doors | 5 | 4 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres | 594 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 255/45R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | — |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Turanza T005 EV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | China (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 18" Prismata 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 Front 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 | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 5 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | Available on Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 | Adaptive LED Projectors with Auto High Beam |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats, Ventilated | Power Adjustable Front Seats |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 40:20:40 Split-Folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control with HEPA Air Filter |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear 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 Front USB-C |
| 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 | 15.4" Touchscreen with Navigation, Bluetooth and 7 Speakers |
| 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 (Depress Brake to Start) |
| 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 | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Full LCD Monitor |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Convenience Notes | — | Dual Wireless Qi Chargers |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 80,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 4 years |
| Warranty Notes | 8-year/160,000-km Battery Warranty, 8-year/150,000-km Electric Drive Unit Warranty | 8-year/160,000 km Battery and Drive Unit Warranty, No fixed service schedule (condition-based maintenance) |
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 & Model 3 for sale
Atto 3 vs Model 3 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Tesla Model 3 better?
The Tesla Model 3 is better for range, charging speed, performance and boot space. The BYD Atto 3 is the more sensible choice if lower upfront cost, lower road tax, SUV access, V2L and longer vehicle-warranty cover matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM125,800 and the Tesla Model 3 costs RM149,000, so the Tesla is RM23,200 more expensive.
Which one charges faster?
The Tesla Model 3 charges faster on both quoted inputs: 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC, versus the BYD Atto 3’s 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC.