Verdict
At RM125,800, the BYD Atto 3 undercuts the RM134,469 Mazda CX-5 by RM8,669 while bringing a 201 hp, 310 Nm electric motor, a 60.48 kWh battery and 420 km of range. Its 7.3-second 0-100 km/h time is far ahead of the Mazda’s 10.4 seconds, and annual road tax is RM160 against RM439. The CX-5 answers with a 56-litre petrol tank, 442-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre. Choose based on charging access: the Atto 3 is the more richly equipped, lower-tax EV; the Mazda suits buyers who need petrol refuelling and a spare wheel.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you can charge regularly and want 420 km EV range, 7.3-second acceleration and substantially more driver-assistance equipment.
Pick the Mazda CX-5 if you need the flexibility of a 56-litre petrol tank, a space-saver spare tyre and a slightly larger 442-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Mazda CX-5 RM134,469.
- Power and torque: BYD Atto 3 201 hp and 310 Nm; Mazda CX-5 162 hp and 213 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: BYD Atto 3 7.3 seconds; Mazda CX-5 10.4 seconds.
- Energy storage: BYD Atto 3 60.48 kWh battery and 420 km range; Mazda CX-5 56-litre petrol tank.
- Dimensions: BYD Atto 3 4,455 mm long and 2,720 mm wheelbase; Mazda CX-5 4,550 mm long and 2,700 mm wheelbase.
- Boot space: BYD Atto 3 434 litres; Mazda CX-5 442 litres.
Atto 3
- RM8,669 cheaper with RM160 annual road tax.
- 201 hp, 310 Nm motor; 0-100 km/h in 7.3 seconds.
- Gets autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
- 434-litre boot is 8 litres smaller than the Mazda CX-5’s.
- Tyre repair kit instead of the Mazda CX-5’s space-saver spare tyre.
- Heavier at 1,750 kg versus 1,588 kg.
CX-5
- 56-litre petrol tank avoids dependence on charging.
- 442-litre boot and a space-saver spare tyre.
- Gets dual-zone automatic climate control, 40:20:40 rear seatbacks and navigation.
- Costs RM8,669 more and annual road tax is RM439 versus RM160.
- 162 hp and 213 Nm trail the Atto 3’s 201 hp and 310 Nm; 0-100 km/h takes 10.4 seconds.
- No listed autonomous braking, blind-spot information system or lane-keeping assist.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM125,800✓ | RM134,469 |
| Body type | SUV | SUV |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Assembly | CBU | CKD |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM160✓ | RM439 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 400V architecture | 16-valve DOHC, Naturally Aspirated with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing |
| Capacity | — | 1,998 cc |
| Horsepower | — | 162 hp at 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | — | 213 Nm at 4,000 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Petrol |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 83.5 mm × 91.2 mm |
| Compression Ratio | — | 13 |
| 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 Manual Shift and Sport mode |
| Gears | — | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | — | Mazda |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 7.3 seconds✓ | 10.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | — | 176 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,455 mm | 4,550 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,840 mm |
| Height | 1,615 mm | 1,675 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,720 mm | 2,700 mm |
| Weight | 1,750 kg | 1,588 kg |
| Fuel Tank | — | 56 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 5 |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot Space | 434 litres | 442 litres✓ |
| Front Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Rear Tyre | 235/50R18 | 225/65R17 |
| Spare Tyre | N/A, Tyre Repair Kit | Space Saver |
| Factory Tyres | Continental EcoContact 6 Q | Continental CrossContact LX Sport |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | China (CBU) | Malaysia (CKD) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Struts | MacPherson Strut |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Front Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 18" Alloy | 17" 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) | 6 (Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain) |
| 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 | Front Seats Only |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projector with Auto High Beam | LED Projector |
| Taillamps | Full LED | LED Combination |
| 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 | 40:20:40 Split-folding |
| Front Air-con | Single-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear AC Vents | Rear AC Vents |
| Sunroof | Panoramic, Tilt and Slide | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Wireless Charger, 2 USB Front, 2 USB Rear | 1 Front, 4 USB, 1 Wireless Charger |
| 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" Display Audio Touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 6 Speakers |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Four Windows, Auto Up & 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 | 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 | — | ✓ |
| 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 | — |
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-5 for sale
Atto 3 vs CX-5 FAQ
Is the BYD Atto 3 or Mazda CX-5 better?
The Atto 3 is the stronger choice for buyers with dependable charging: it is quicker, costs less, has lower road tax and adds autonomous braking, lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control. The CX-5 is better if petrol refuelling and a spare tyre matter more.
What is the price difference?
The BYD Atto 3 is RM8,669 cheaper than the Mazda CX-5. Its annual road tax is also RM279 lower, at RM160 versus RM439.
Which one has more boot space?
The Mazda CX-5 has the larger boot at 442 litres, 8 litres more than the BYD Atto 3’s 434 litres. The Mazda also carries a space-saver spare, while the BYD uses a tyre repair kit.
