Verdict
These are fundamentally different tools despite a slim RM2,800 price gap. The RM125,800 BYD Atto 3 is the five-seat electric SUV choice, with a 60.48-kWh battery, claimed 420-km range and RM160 annual road tax. Its 201-hp, 310-Nm motor also reaches 100 km/h in 7.3 seconds. At RM123,000, the Toyota Hiace is a two-seat commercial vehicle with a 101-hp, 260-Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel, five-speed manual and all-wheel drive. For private Malaysian use, the Atto 3 is far easier to live with; buy the Hiace only for its commercial role.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you need five seats, a 434-litre boot, 420-km EV range and far more safety and driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you specifically need a two-seat commercial vehicle with a 70-litre diesel tank, all-wheel drive and a five-speed manual.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Powertrain: Atto 3 has a 201-hp, 310-Nm electric motor; Hiace has a 101-hp, 260-Nm 2.5-litre turbodiesel.
- Running cost: Atto 3 road tax is RM160/year; Hiace road tax is RM835/year.
- Seating: Atto 3 has 5 seats; Hiace has 2 seats.
- Dimensions: Atto 3 is 4,455 mm long and 1,615 mm tall; Hiace is 4,695 mm long and 2,285 mm tall.
- Safety: Atto 3 has 6 airbags and stability control; Hiace has 2 airbags and no stability control.
Atto 3
- 420-km range from a 60.48-kWh battery, with 110-kW DC charging.
- Five seats, 434-litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats.
- Six airbags, stability control, autonomous braking and a 360-degree camera.
- RM2,800 dearer to buy than the Hiace.
- No full-size spare tyre; it uses a tyre repair kit.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the Hiace's all-wheel drive.
Hiace
- All-wheel drive with a 70-litre diesel tank.
- 2.5-litre turbodiesel produces 260 Nm and drives through a five-speed Aisin manual.
- Full-size 15-inch steel spare tyre.
- Only two seats, against the Atto 3's five.
- Two airbags and no stability control, versus six airbags and stability control in the Atto 3.
- RM835 annual road tax is RM675 higher than the Atto 3's RM160.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800 | RM123,000✓ |
| Body type | SUV | Commercial |
| Segment | C-Segment | Commercial |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM835 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Common-rail Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 2,494 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 101 hp |
| Torque | — | 260 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Diesel |
| Bore | — | 92 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 18.5 |
| 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 | Manual |
| Transmission Name | — | 5 Speed Manual |
| Gears | — | 5 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Aisin |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | All Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,695 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,695 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 2,285 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,890 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 70 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres | — |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 195R15C |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 195R15C |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Full-size 15" Steel |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | — |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Thailand (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | Double Wishbones |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Leaf Spring |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 15" Steel |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Hydraulic Power Steering) |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| ANCAP | — | 4 stars — With 2 airbags and no stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain | Driver and Passenger |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | — |
| Alarm | — | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | — |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 2 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | — |
| ISOFIX | Available for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats | — |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | — |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | — |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | Halogen Reflector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | Normal Bulb |
| 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 | — |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear Vents with Blower |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, 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 | — |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6 Speakers | Radio CD/MP3 Player with 4 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Two Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Manual Key |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Remote Control Activation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | — |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | — |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | — |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 2 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | — |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | — |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | — |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | — |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | — |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 km |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 6 years✓ | 3 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 & Hiace for sale
Atto 3 vs Hiace FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Toyota Hiace better?
The BYD Atto 3 is better for private transport: it has five seats, a 434-litre boot, six airbags and a claimed 420-km range. The Toyota Hiace makes sense only when its two-seat commercial layout and all-wheel drive suit the job.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM125,800 and the Toyota Hiace costs RM123,000, so the Atto 3 is RM2,800 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The BYD Atto 3 has lower annual road tax at RM160. The Toyota Hiace costs RM835 per year, a RM675 difference.