Verdict
At RM100,000, the BYD Atto 2 costs RM7,920 less than the Mazda CX-3 yet brings a 174 hp, 290 Nm electric motor, 345 km range and 82 kW DC charging. It is also 55 mm longer, 65 mm wider and 140 mm taller, with a 50-litre-larger boot. The CX-3 counters with its 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, six-speed automatic, 48-litre fuel tank, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display. For a Malaysian buyer able to charge, the Atto 2 is the more richly specified choice; the Mazda suits those committed to petrol motoring.
Pick the BYD Atto 2 if you can charge regularly and want 174 hp, 290 Nm, a 345 km EV range and substantially more active safety equipment for less money.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if you prefer a 1.5-litre petrol SUV with a six-speed automatic, 48-litre fuel tank, blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 2 RM100,000; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Power and torque: BYD Atto 2 174 hp and 290 Nm; Mazda CX-3 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Size: BYD Atto 2 4,310 mm long, 1,830 mm wide and 1,675 mm tall; Mazda CX-3 4,275 mm, 1,765 mm and 1,535 mm.
- Boot space: BYD Atto 2 380 litres; Mazda CX-3 350 litres.
- Airbags: BYD Atto 2 six; Mazda CX-3 two.
- Warranty: BYD Atto 2 six years/150,000 km; Mazda CX-3 five years/100,000 km.
Atto 2
- 174 hp and 290 Nm electric motor with 345 km range.
- 82 kW DC charging, 7 kW AC charging and 3.3 kW V2L.
- Autonomous braking, steering lane-keeping assist and a 360-degree camera.
- 1,830 mm width is 65 mm greater than the CX-3's, which matters in tight parking spaces.
- Tyre repair kit rather than the CX-3's space-saver spare tyre.
CX-3
- 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine with a six-speed automatic.
- Blind-spot monitoring and a head-up display.
- Narrower 1,765 mm body and space-saver spare tyre.
- Costs RM7,920 more than the Atto 2.
- 114 hp and 149 Nm trail the Atto 2's 174 hp and 290 Nm.
- Two airbags versus six in the Atto 2, and no autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM100,000✓ | RM107,920 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | B-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM120 | RM120 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,496 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 114 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 149 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 74.5 mm × 85.8 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 14 |
| 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 | Conventional Automatic |
| Transmission Name | — | SkyActiv-Drive with Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.9 seconds | — |
| Top Speed | 160 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,310 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,830 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,675 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,620 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | — | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 380 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 215/60R17 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 215/60R17 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Westlake SU318a | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Torsion Beam | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 17" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | — | G-Vectoring Control |
| Crash Safety Ratings | ||
| EuroNCAP | — | 4 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| ANCAP | — | 5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 (Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) | 2 (Driver and 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 for Two Outer Rear Passenger Seats |
| Autonomous Braking System | Yes | — |
| Lane-keeping Assist | Steering Correction | No |
| Collision Warning | ✓ | — |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector | Halogen reflector |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | Normal Bulb |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Power-adjustable Front Seats | Power Adjustable Driver's Seat with Memory function |
| 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, 2 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 | 8.0" Touchscreen MZD Connect Infotainment System with Commander Control Knob, Bluetooth, Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 6 Speakers |
| 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 Start/Stop | — | ✓ |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | — |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Adaptive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Head-up Display | — | ✓ |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Full LCD Monitor | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Electronic |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 150,000 km✓ | 100,000 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 | 5-year/100,000 km Free Service |
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 & CX-3 for sale
Atto 2 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 2 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Atto 2 is the stronger on-paper buy if home or workplace charging is practical: it costs less, has 174 hp and 290 Nm, a 345 km range, six airbags and autonomous braking. Choose the CX-3 only if petrol operation, blind-spot monitoring or its head-up display matters more.
What is the price difference?
The Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, which is RM7,920 more than the BYD Atto 2 at RM100,000. The Atto 2 also has the longer six-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, against five years/100,000 km for the Mazda.
Which has the more useful cabin and boot?
The Atto 2 has the larger quoted boot at 380 litres versus 350 litres, plus a 2,620 mm wheelbase against 2,570 mm. It also gets a 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen, wireless charger and two rear USB ports; the CX-3 uses an 8.0-inch screen and has no rear USB ports.
