Verdict
At RM100,000, the BYD Atto 2 undercuts the RM103,800 GAC GS3 by RM3,800 while bringing a 51.1-kWh battery, 345 km EV range and 82-kW DC charging. It is also the more practical safety-and-tech choice, with six airbags, a 360-degree camera and a 380-litre boot. The GS3 counters with a 177-hp/270-Nm 1.5-litre turbo petrol motor, a marginally quicker 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time and larger 18-inch wheels. Pick the BYD if home or workplace charging is realistic; pick the GAC for petrol refuelling and its blind-spot system.
Pick the BYD Atto 2 if you can charge regularly and want 345 km of EV range, six airbags, a 360-degree camera and the larger 380-litre boot for RM3,800 less.
Pick the GAC GS3 if petrol refuelling suits your routine and you value its 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time, blind-spot information system and 18-inch wheels.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 2 RM100,000; GAC GS3 RM103,800.
- Powertrain: BYD Atto 2 has one 174-hp/290-Nm electric motor and a 51.1-kWh battery; GAC GS3 has a 1,497-cc 177-hp/270-Nm turbo petrol engine.
- Performance: BYD Atto 2 does 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds; GAC GS3 takes 7.5 seconds.
- Range/refuelling hardware: BYD Atto 2 has 345 km EV range, 7-kW AC and 82-kW DC charging; GAC GS3 has a 47-litre petrol tank.
- Safety: BYD Atto 2 has six airbags; GAC GS3 has two airbags, but adds a blind-spot information system.
- Practicality: BYD Atto 2 has a 380-litre boot and 2,620-mm wheelbase; GAC GS3 has a 341-litre boot and 2,650-mm wheelbase.
Atto 2
- RM3,800 lower price with 345 km EV range
- Six airbags and 360-degree camera
- 380-litre boot; 39 litres more than the GS3
- 7.9-second 0-100 km/h time is 0.4 seconds slower
- No blind-spot information system
- 17-inch wheels versus the GS3's 18-inch items
GS3
- Quicker 7.5-second 0-100 km/h time
- Blind-spot information system
- Larger 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels
- Costs RM3,800 more
- Only two airbags versus the Atto 2's six
- 341-litre boot is 39 litres smaller and it lacks a 360-degree camera
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000✓ | RM103,800 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | — | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Dual Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,497 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 177 hp |
| Torque | — | 270 Nm |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Number of Motors | 1 | — |
| Motor Horsepower | 174 hp | — |
| Motor Torque | 290 Nm | — |
| Battery Capacity | 51.1 kWh | — |
| EV Range | 345 km | — |
| Charging Rate (AC) | 7 kW | — |
| Charging Rate (DC) | 82 kW | — |
| V2L | 3.3 kW | — |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Single Ratio Automatic | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) |
| Gears | — | 7 |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | 7.5 seconds✓ |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,310 mm | 4,410 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,850 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,600 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,650 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,370 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 47 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 380 litres✓ | 341 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 225/55R18 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Westlake SU318a | Continental UC6 SUV |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 18" Two-tone Alloys |
| 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 |
| 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 on Outer Two Rear Seats | Available on 2 Outer 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 | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats | Powered Driver's Seat, Manual Front Passenger Seat |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | 60:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Manual Air-con |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 1 Front USB, 1 Rear USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights & Ambient Lighting | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Audio | 15.6" Rotating Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6-speaker Dirac Sound System | 10.25" Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Driver's Side Auto Up and Down with Anti Pinch |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Operation |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 3 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 |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km | 150,000 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 2 & GS3 for sale
Atto 2 vs GS3 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 2 or GAC GS3 better?
The BYD Atto 2 is the stronger pick for an owner able to charge regularly: it costs less, has a 345 km EV range, six airbags, a 360-degree camera and a larger boot. The GAC GS3 suits buyers who need petrol refuelling and want blind-spot monitoring.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 2 is RM100,000 and the GAC GS3 is RM103,800, so the BYD is RM3,800 cheaper.
Which one is quicker, and how do their powertrains differ?
The GAC GS3 is quicker to 100 km/h, taking 7.5 seconds against the BYD Atto 2's 7.9 seconds. The GS3 uses a 177-hp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, while the Atto 2 uses a 174-hp electric motor and 51.1-kWh battery.
