Verdict
At RM125,800, the BYD Atto 3 undercuts the RM149,000 Tesla Model 3 by RM23,200 and carries lower RM160 annual road tax against RM280. It is the practical SUV choice, with five doors, a 1,615-mm height, ventilated front seats and a 360-degree camera. But the Tesla’s 279-hp/420-Nm rear motor cuts 0-100 km/h to 6.2 seconds, while its 534-km range, 170-kW DC charging and 594-litre boot make it the stronger long-distance car. The Atto 3 counters with a six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty.
The Model 3 Performance AWD (RM232,000) sits above every Atto 3 variant here, so the verdict compares the closest-priced pairing — use the selectors above to match any two trims.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you want the RM23,200 saving, SUV access, a 360-degree camera and longer vehicle warranty cover.
Pick the Tesla Model 3 if you want 534 km of range, 170-kW DC charging, quicker acceleration and a 594-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Tesla Model 3 RM149,000.
- Motor output and 0-100 km/h: Atto 3 201 hp/310 Nm and 7.3 seconds; Model 3 279 hp/420 Nm and 6.2 seconds.
- Battery and range: Atto 3 60.48 kWh and 420 km; Model 3 62.5 kWh and 534 km.
- Charging: Atto 3 supports 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC; Model 3 supports 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC.
- Body and boot: Atto 3 is a five-door SUV with 434 litres; Model 3 is a four-door sedan with 594 litres.
- Warranty and road tax: Atto 3 gets six years/150,000 km and RM160 yearly road tax; Model 3 gets four years/80,000 km and RM280.
Atto 3
- RM23,200 lower purchase price
- Six-year/150,000-km vehicle warranty
- Ventilated front seats and 360-degree camera
- 420-km range trails the Model 3’s 534 km
- 110-kW DC charging is below the Model 3’s 170 kW
- 434-litre boot is 160 litres smaller
Model 3
- 279 hp and 420 Nm, with 6.2-second 0-100 km/h
- 534-km range with 11-kW AC and 170-kW DC charging
- 594-litre boot and 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
- RM23,200 more expensive
- RM280 annual road tax versus RM160
- Four-year/80,000-km vehicle warranty is shorter than the Atto 3’s
What the Atto 3 has over the Model 3
What the Model 3 has over the Atto 3
Based on the published spec sheets of the selected variants — a blank field on one side can also mean unlisted data.
The Model 3 is 214 mm wider — more shoulder room, but a tighter fit in parking bays. Boot space favours the Model 3: 594 litres against 434.
| 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 |
| Monthly instalment (est.) | RM1,285/mo✓ | RM1,520/mo |
| Insurance / year (est.) | RM3,519✓ | RM4,122 |
| Electricity / year (est.) | RM1,280 | RM1,040✓ |
| Energy cost / 100 km (est.) | RM6.40 | RM5.20✓ |
| 5-year running costs (est.) | RM24,791✓ | RM27,209 |
| Charging (estimated) | ||
| AC charge 0–100% (est.) | 8.6 hours | 5.7 hours✓ |
| DC charge 10–80% (est.) | 40 min | 25 min✓ |
| 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 | Yes |
| 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 |
| Wiper Blade (Driver) | 24 inch | 26 inch |
| Wiper Blade (Passenger) | 17 inch | 19 inch |
| 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 | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 7 (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 | 16" 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, Powershare V2L via Tesla Outlet Adapter (RM350, sold separately) on cars built from October 2026 |
| 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. Running-cost estimates assume 20,000 km/year. Electricity at RM0.44/kWh (TNB domestic, home charging); public DC charging costs around RM1.30/kWh. Charging times estimated from battery capacity and peak charging rates. Insurance: comprehensive motor tariff, no NCD. Instalment: 10% down, 2.5% flat rate, 9 years. Prices checked October 2026.
Used Atto 3 & Model 3 for sale
Our reviews & guides
BYD Atto 3
Tesla Model 3
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, acceleration and boot capacity. The BYD Atto 3 is the better buy for SUV practicality, a 360-degree camera, ventilated front seats and longer vehicle warranty cover.
What is the price difference?
The Tesla Model 3 costs RM23,200 more than the BYD Atto 3.
Which one charges faster?
The Tesla Model 3 charges faster on both inputs, supporting 11 kW AC and 170 kW DC. The BYD Atto 3 supports 7 kW AC and 110 kW DC.
How long does charging take?
The Atto 3's 60.5 kWh battery takes about 8.6 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 40 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 110 kW peak. The Model 3's 62.5 kWh battery takes about 5.7 hours for a full AC charge, and an estimated 25 minutes from 10% to 80% on a DC fast charger at its 170 kW peak.