Verdict
These are radically different RM120k tools. The RM2,800 dearer BYD Atto 3 is a five-seat electric SUV with a 60.48-kWh battery, 420-km range and 201 hp/310 Nm motor; its RM160 annual road tax is far below the Hiace’s RM835. It also brings six airbags, stability control and autonomous braking. The Toyota Hiace is the choice only when its commercial format, 2.5-litre diesel, all-wheel drive and 70-litre tank suit the job. Its 101 hp, five-speed manual and two airbags make it a much more basic daily vehicle.
Pick the BYD Atto 3 if you need a five-seat SUV with 420 km of EV range, 110-kW DC charging and far stronger safety equipment.
Pick the Toyota Hiace if you need a commercial vehicle with a 2.5-litre diesel, five-speed manual gearbox and all-wheel drive.
Key differences
- Price: BYD Atto 3 RM125,800; Toyota Hiace RM123,000.
- Powertrain: Atto 3 201 hp/310 Nm electric motor; Hiace 101 hp/260 Nm 2,494-cc turbo-diesel.
- Road tax: Atto 3 RM160 per year; Hiace RM835 per year.
- Size: 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 six airbags and stability control; Hiace has two airbags and no stability control.
- Driveline: Atto 3 is front-wheel drive; Hiace is all-wheel drive.
Atto 3
- 420-km EV range from a 60.48-kWh battery
- Six airbags, stability control and autonomous braking
- 110-kW DC charging and 3.3-kW vehicle-to-load function
- Costs RM2,800 more
- Front-wheel drive versus the Hiace’s all-wheel drive
- Tyre repair kit instead of a full-size spare wheel
Hiace
- All-wheel drive with a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel
- 70-litre fuel tank and full-size spare wheel
- RM2,800 lower purchase price
- Only two airbags and no stability control
- Five-speed manual instead of the Atto 3’s single-ratio automatic
- RM835 annual road tax versus RM160 for the Atto 3
| 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 at 3,600 rpm |
| Torque | — | 260 Nm at 1,600 rpm |
| Cylinder Arrangement | — | Inline 4 |
| Fuel | Electric | Diesel |
| Bore × Stroke | — | 92 mm × 93.8 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 | 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 | — |
| 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 Atto 3 is better for private use, with five seats, 420 km of range, six airbags and driver-assistance systems. The Hiace is better when a commercial body, diesel power and all-wheel drive are the priorities.
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.
Can the BYD Atto 3 charge quickly?
Yes. The Atto 3 accepts AC charging at up to 7 kW and DC charging at up to 110 kW. It also has a 3.3-kW vehicle-to-load function, while the diesel Hiace does not require plug-in charging.
