BYD ATTO 2 DM-i vs Mazda CX-30

A proper head-to-head in South Africa — compare price, performance, fuel economy or electric range, safety and the details that shape long-term ownership.

BYD ATTO 2 DM-i in South Africa

BYD ATTO 2 DM-i

Dynamic DM-i Plug-in Hybrid e-CVT Current
ZAR 489,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 72 kW 🔧 122 Nm ⛽ 19.6 km/l
VS
Mazda CX-30 in South Africa

Mazda CX-30

2.0 Individual Edition Auto FWD Petrol 6-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 651,500 ex-showroom
⚡ 121 kW 🔧 213 Nm ⛽ 15.2 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD ATTO 2 DM-i vs Mazda CX-30: the short answer

ATTO 2 DM-i and CX-30 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

ATTO 2 DM-i starts ZAR 89,900 cheaper ATTO 2 DM-i from ZAR 449,900 · CX-30 from ZAR 539,800

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ATTO 2 DM-i CX-30
Maximum Power ATTO 2 DM-i72 kW @ 6000 rpm CX-30121 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque ATTO 2 DM-i122 Nm @ 4500 rpm CX-30213 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Engine Size ATTO 2 DM-i1498 cc CX-301998 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ATTO 2 DM-i19.6 km/l CX-3015.2 km/l
Ground Clearance ATTO 2 DM-i160 mm CX-30175 mm

Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

ATTO 2 DM-i

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Efficiency Published Practicality

CX-30

Strengths
  • More powerful engine output
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Performance

Which One's Right for You?

ATTO 2 DM-i

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

CX-30

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ATTO 2 DM-i CX-30
Model Introduced Year 2026 2021
Generation First South African ATTO 2 DM-i generation First-generation DM-series Mazda CX-30 using seventh-generation Mazda architecture
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 South African editions received a focused technology and equipment update in 2024, including the 10.25-inch display and revised connectivity.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version 2021
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Active
Segment Compact SUV Compact crossover
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle SUV
Tare Mass Kg - 1340 kg
Spec ATTO 2 DM-i CX-30
Length 4330 mm 4395 mm
Width 1830 mm 1795 mm
Height 1675 mm 1540 mm
Wheelbase 2620 mm 2655 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 160 mm 175 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm -
Fuel Tank Capacity 45 l 51 l
Boot/Cargo Space 425 l 295 l
Kerb Weight 1510 kg 1340 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2000 kg 1937 kg
Payload Capacity 490 kg 597 kg
Towing Capacity 750 kg 1200 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows -
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.25 m 5.7 m
Front Headroom 1020 mm -
Rear Headroom 960 mm -
Front Legroom 1100 mm 1058 mm
Rear Legroom 760 mm 921 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This ATTO 2 DM-i and CX-30 comparison uses the exact derivatives selected above for South Africa. The catalogue index covers performance, efficiency, safety equipment, practicality and ownership cover only where comparable source-backed fields are present.

Performance index: ATTO 2 DM-i 37 vs CX-30 49.

Efficiency index: ATTO 2 DM-i 81 vs CX-30 59.

Safety-equipment index: ATTO 2 DM-i 92 vs CX-30 96.

Practicality index: ATTO 2 DM-i 56 vs CX-30 55.

Ownership-cover index: ATTO 2 DM-i not separately scored vs CX-30 not separately scored.

These figures are Hagalu catalogue-comparison indicators, not customer ratings, crash-test scores, resale guarantees or a substitute for a road test. Each page shows its weighted source coverage beside the result.

Specification Evidence Index

A transparent comparison of published catalogue fields. This is not a road-test score, owner rating or editorial review rating, and it appears only when every vehicle clears the same comparable-data threshold.

Evidence / 100
Evidence-index readout

ATTO 2 DM-i leads by 0 points

ATTO 2 DM-i and CX-30 are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.

Evidence leader 65 /100
Lead 0 points
Data 83% source coverage
65
#1 Evidence leader

ATTO 2 DM-i

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 92 Check Performance 37
Performance 37
Efficiency 81
Safety 92
Practicality 56
Leads by 0 points
65
#2

CX-30

78% source coverage 1 strong categories
Best at Safety 96 Check Performance 49
Performance 49
Efficiency 59
Safety 96
Practicality 55
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance CX-30 +12 Efficiency ATTO 2 DM-i +22 Safety CX-30 +4 Practicality ATTO 2 DM-i +1

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ATTO 2 DM-i

Performance 37/100
Efficiency 81/100
Safety 92/100
Practicality 56/100

CX-30

Performance 49/100
Efficiency 59/100
Safety 96/100
Practicality 55/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD ATTO 2 DM-i leads the specification evidence index with 65 pts vs 65 pts for CX-30

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ATTO 2 DM-i leads. However, CX-30 may suit buyers prioritising different confirmed fields. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your driving priorities in South Africa.

Related comparisons

Continue with closely related South Africa models and comparable body styles.

ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
VS
XUV700
XUV700
ATTO 2 DM-i vs XUV700 →
ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
VS
06
06
ATTO 2 DM-i vs 06 →
ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
VS
Scorpio-N
Scorpio-N
ATTO 2 DM-i vs Scorpio-N →
ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
VS
Duster
Duster
ATTO 2 DM-i vs Duster →
ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
VS
Destinator
Destinator
ATTO 2 DM-i vs Destinator →
ATTO 2 DM-i
ATTO 2 DM-i
VS
HR-V
HR-V
ATTO 2 DM-i vs HR-V →
CX-30
CX-30
VS
XUV700
XUV700
CX-30 vs XUV700 →
CX-30
CX-30
VS
06
06
CX-30 vs 06 →

ATTO 2 DM-i vs CX-30 questions

There is no universal winner. Use the comparison table to match the models and available derivatives in South Africa on price, safety equipment, space, powertrain and ownership cover. The category indicators summarise published catalogue data; they are not a road test or customer rating.

Compare the published consumption or mileage rows for the exact derivatives using the same unit and test basis. A catalogue figure is useful for like-for-like comparison, but traffic, speed, load, weather and driving style can change actual fuel use.

Compare only equipment explicitly listed for each derivative, including airbags, stability control and driver-assistance systems. Confirm the exact trim with the manufacturer, and treat any independent crash-test result separately because equipment and ratings can differ by market.

A reliable five-year total cannot be calculated from catalogue data alone. Add the exact purchase and finance cost, fuel or electricity, insurance quotes, scheduled servicing, tyres and expected resale value. Check whether the selected derivative includes a service or maintenance plan.

Use the seating, boot or load-space, ISOFIX and safety rows as a first check. Then test the exact cars with your child seats, passengers and typical luggage, because published dimensions do not show every access or comfort difference.

Compare the published power, torque and 0–100 km/h rows when they are available for both exact derivatives. Vehicle weight, gearing and power delivery also matter, so catalogue outputs alone do not establish real-world overtaking or response.