Verdict
The RM17,880 dearer BYD Atto 3 is the substantially larger choice: its 2,720 mm wheelbase is 150 mm longer, and it carries 434 litres against the Mazda CX-3’s 350 litres. Its 201 hp, 310 Nm motor, 60.48 kWh battery and 420 km range also give it a very different ownership brief from the CX-3’s 114 hp, 149 Nm 1.5-litre petrol engine. For Malaysian buyers able to charge, the Atto 3’s 110 kW DC charging, six airbags and autonomous braking justify the step up. The Mazda remains the lower-entry-price, lighter 1,301 kg option with a space-saver spare.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you can charge regularly and want 420 km EV range, 434 litres of boot space and active safety including autonomous braking.
Pick the Mazda CX-3 if RM107,920 is the budget ceiling and you prefer a 1,301 kg petrol SUV with a 48-litre tank and space-saver spare.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Mazda CX-3 RM107,920.
- Power and torque: Atto 3 motor produces 201 hp and 310 Nm; CX-3’s 1.5-litre engine produces 114 hp and 149 Nm.
- Energy storage: Atto 3 has a 60.48 kWh battery and 420 km range; CX-3 has a 48-litre petrol tank.
- Size and boot: Atto 3 is 4,455 mm long with a 434-litre boot; CX-3 is 4,275 mm long with a 350-litre boot.
- Safety: Atto 3 has six airbags and autonomous braking; CX-3 has two airbags and no autonomous braking.
- Wheels and weight: Atto 3 weighs 1,750 kg on 18-inch wheels; CX-3 weighs 1,301 kg on 16-inch wheels.
Atto 3
- 420 km EV range from a 60.48 kWh battery
- Six airbags, autonomous braking and lane-keeping assist
- 434-litre boot and 2,720 mm wheelbase
- Costs RM17,880 more
- Weighs 449 kg more
- Tyre repair kit instead of the CX-3’s space-saver spare
CX-3
- RM107,920 entry price
- 449 kg lighter than the Atto 3
- Space-saver spare and head-up display
- Only two airbags versus the Atto 3’s six
- No autonomous braking or lane-keeping assist
- 350-litre boot is 84 litres smaller
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800 | RM107,920✓ |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | B-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 7.3 seconds | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,765 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,535 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,570 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,301 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 48 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres✓ | 350 litres |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 215/60R16 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Bridgestone Turanza T005A |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Torsion Beam |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 16" Alloys |
| Rear Wheels | 18" 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 for Two Outer Rear Passenger 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 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 | 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 |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | — |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| 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 Rear | 2 Front, 2 Rear |
| Sun Shade | Panoramic Glass Roof Shade | — |
| Audio | 15.6" Touchscreen with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto with 6 Speakers | 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 with Stop and Go | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | — | ✓ |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Powered Boot | — |
| Parking Sensor Front | 2 Sensors | — |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | 4 Sensors |
| Reverse Camera | Yes, with 360-degree Camera | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 3 & CX-3 for sale
Atto 3 vs CX-3 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Mazda CX-3 better?
The Atto 3 is better for buyers with charging access, delivering 201 hp, 310 Nm, 420 km range, a 434-litre boot and six airbags. The CX-3 is the cheaper petrol alternative at RM107,920, but has two airbags and no autonomous braking.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 costs RM125,800 and the Mazda CX-3 costs RM107,920, so the difference is RM17,880.
Which has more boot space, the BYD Atto 3 or Mazda CX-3?
The BYD Atto 3 has the larger boot at 434 litres. The Mazda CX-3 has 350 litres, leaving the Atto 3 with an 84-litre advantage.
