GE2025 is over, but because it was only three weeks ago, it's hard not to see this match-up through the same lenses. Once again, we have a challenger, the MGS5, looking to take on an incumbent, the BYD Atto 3.
Unless you haven't been following automotive news or trends, BYD is arguably the hottest brand globally. Locally, its best-selling model is the Atto 3, the electric compact crossover that drivers love. The Atto 3 has, essentially, single-handedly driven BYD's sales growth.
Its latest rival is the MGS5, which runs it close in terms of price, performance, range and features. The MGS5 also offers a fresh perspective when it comes to design. Can it unseat the Atto 3, or will the Atto 3's appeal still prove stronger?
Whimsical vs conventional
Having sold so many units, the Atto 3 is a familiar sight on our roads. By now, many of us have come to know and accept the crossover's unique dragon-inspired elements, like the 'whiskers' on its mien and the 'scales' on the C-pillars.
A single-bar taillight, a popular style component, stretches across its rear, helping ensure its styling remains relevant to buyers. One of the minor updates to the Atto 3 this year are its new wheels that have a more open design than the previous ones.
The MGS5, on the other hand, has a conventional rather than whimsical design. Its lines are so crisp that they stand out even in this York White paintwork. Light colours sometimes hide a car's contours and make it seem flat, but this is not the case here.
The MGS5's sporty vibe stems from the sharp nose and front splitter, which is enhanced by the shoulder line that stretches from the sides to the tailgate, where it connects to a short rear deck lid that resembles a second spoiler. In terms of looks, the nod goes to the MGS5.
Different strokes
Step inside the Atto 3 and you'll feel that the designers have pushed the envelope with its eclectic mix of themes, which involve fitness, marine life, and music. The dashboard, for instance, is modelled after muscle fibres, while the air vents are supposed to resemble dumbbells.
The marine element is on the steering wheel - the lower 'spoke' is shaped like a fish tail. Meanwhile, the strings along the door storage pockets are inspired by the guzheng instrument. If you're good, you can probably create tunes by strumming and plucking them. Interestingly, the gear selector is aircraft-inspired.
Along with the new wheels, Atto 3 units with Cosmos Black or Harbour Grey (like this one) paintwork come with the new Thamaus Black interior, which looks classier than the usual two-tone one. For contrast, the air vents, along with the seat piping and stitching, are yellow. And more importantly, ventilated seats are now standard across the range.
While the Atto 3 keeps things interesting, the MGS5 impresses with the cohesiveness of its interior, which is both sporty and functional. It features a steering wheel with a flat top and bottom, a 10.25-inch instrument panel, and a 12.8-inch HD touchscreen for the infotainment.
The MGS5's cockpit isn't just neater; it's also more intuitive than the Atto 3's because it has physical buttons and dials for features like the climate controls. If it's your first time in either car, you'll find it easier to get the hang of the MGS5 than the Atto 3.
That said, the Atto 3 does feel more high-tech than the MGS5. Apart from being larger (15.6-inches vs 12.8 inches), the Atto 3's infotainment screen can also be rotated to either landscape or portrait orientation to suit your needs.
Infotainment-wise, though, it's the MGS5 that pleases. Its menu layout is neater and thus more user-friendly, even if it demands more precise screen taps than the Atto 3.
Daily sensibilities
The MGS5 and Atto 3 are roughly similar in size, with the former's wheelbase being just 10mm longer (2,730mm vs 2,720mm) than the latter. However, when it comes to rear seat space, the MGS5 is even more comfortable than the Atto 3, thanks to its higher backrests.
Occupants up to 1.75m tall won't have to raise the headrests just yet, whereas those who are at least 1.7m tall will have to in the Atto 3. However, passengers in Atto 3 enjoy superior foot space beneath the front seats, which caters to those who favour chunkier footwear.
When it comes to practicality, the MGS5 takes the lead from the Atto 3 in terms of boot space, offering 453 litres with the rear seat backs up and 1,423 litres when they're folded, compared to 440 litres and 1,340 litres for the Atto 3. The Atto 3 claws back points by having elastic nets by the side compartments that can prevent items from being strewn about.
Efficiency and driving range are subjective, but from experience, the Atto 3 has the edge in this regard. It averages 6.2km/kWh and its 60.5kWh battery is good for 420km. In contrast, the MGS5 has a 62kWh battery that offers 425km, with an average of 5.8km/kWh.
It may be less efficient, but from a charging standpoint, the MGS5 is more suited to drivers who are constantly on the go: It has a maximum charging speed of 150kW, whereas the Atto 3's is capped at 100kW.
Divergent characters
The MGS5 offers 99kW (133bhp) and 250Nm of torque, while the Atto 3 delivers 100kW (134bhp) and 310Nm of torque. Their century sprint times are similar, too, with the MGS5 clocking 9.9 seconds while the Atto 3 takes a hair longer at 10.1 seconds.
Yet despite near-identical timings and the Atto 3 having a much healthier torque output, the MGS5 somehow feels sprightlier off the line. Its rear-wheel drive layout makes it feel nimbler as well, as the push comes from behind, as compared to the front-wheel drive Atto 3 where the pull originates from the front.
With a more accurate helm, the MGS5 is more eager when the roads turn twisty, even if its handling is predictable rather than exciting. The regenerative braking is also better, for the system offers a one-pedal drive setting, which makes driving in traffic breezier.
I though the Atto 3 would feel soft and wallow-y in comparison, but its pliant suspension delivered the comfort you'd seek at the end of a long workday. Unsurprisingly, the Atto 3 is also more adept at smoothing over bumps, and even if its steering isn't as communicative as the MGS5's, the effortlessness is something many drivers will appreciate.
Post-match analysis
The Atto 3 has been around some time now, but continual updates have helped keep it fresh. Improvements such as an increase in maximum charging speed, the addition of ventilated seats, plus the styling tweaks, have burnished the appeal of Singapore's favourite electric crossover.
The Atto 3's biggest advantage by far, though, is that it is a household name here. This ensures that even if buyers do shop around, they'll probably still check it out before eventually deciding.
Side by side, it's hard not be drawn to the MGS5. It is newer, sleeker, has a more cohesive design, and offers better regenerative braking and handling. It has the edge in practicality, too, which is a key consideration for families with young children.
A small bugbear is that at $178,888, the MGS5 currently costs $8,500 more than the Atto 3. However, it's only marginally more expensive when spread out over a seven-year loan, so it is a small premium to pay for the advantages offered.
These group tests may also interest you
Audi A3 Sportback takes on the BMW 116
Polestar 4 LRSM squares off against the Porsche Macan Electric
Mazda 3 faces off against the Skoda Octavia
