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.
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Decision summary
BYD ATTO 3 vs Mercedes-Benz CLA Electric: the short answer
ATTO 3 and CLA Electric are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Recorded price context
ATTO 3:
current from
ZAR 699,900
·
CLA Electric:
announced from
ZAR 1,212,650
Five key differences
Exact selected derivatives
Swipe sideways to compare every column
Specification
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Maximum Power
ATTO 3150 kW
CLA Electric200 kW
Maximum Torque
ATTO 3310 Nm
CLA Electric335 Nm
Engine Size
ATTO 3Not Applicable
CLA ElectricNot Applicable
Combined Fuel Economy
ATTO 3Not Applicable
CLA Electric0 km/l
Ground Clearance
ATTO 3175 mm
CLA Electric150 mm
Strongest published figure in that row; no road-test winner is implied.
Independent editorial assessment
Hagalu editorial ratings
When a variant is selected, its rating out of five applies only to that exact derivative; a model-range review is not inherited. Editorial ratings are separate from the Specification Evidence Index out of 100 and are not customer ratings.
BYD ATTO 3
Extended Range EV
Hagalu editorial rating
4.2/5★★★★★★★★★★
Desk research · Exact variant
Hagalu Editorial Team ·
Editorial assessment, not a customer rating. Not road-tested for this review.
Not yet rated means a complete review is not published; it does not mean the vehicle scored zero. Read the rating methodology.
What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)
ATTO 3
Strengths
Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
Less powerful engine setup
Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to:General Use
Specification evidence leader
CLA Electric
Strengths
More powerful engine output
Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to:Published PerformancePublished Practicality
Which One's Right for You?
ATTO 3
Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment
CLA Electric
Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures
Full Specs, Side by Side
Open a category, then swipe sideways to compare every column
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Model Introduced Year
2023
2026
Generation
First South African ATTO 3 generation
Current South African CLA Electric generation represented by derivative CLA 250+
Facelift History
No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026
Current-generation/facelift specification; derivative-specific South African configuration
Facelift Launched Since
Original current-generation version
Current South African model cycle
Facelift Version Ending
Current
Current
Body Style
SUV
Sedan
Model Year
2026
2026
Production Status
Active
Current South African retail range
Segment
Compact SUV
Premium coupé
Vehicle Type
Passenger vehicle
Coupé
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Length
4455 mm
4800 mm
Width
1875 mm
1900 mm
Height
1615 mm
1600 mm
Wheelbase
2720 mm
2790 mm
Ground Clearance (Default)
175 mm
150 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load)
150 mm
120 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
0 l
500 l
Boot/Cargo Space
310 l
500 l
Kerb Weight
1750 kg
2000 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
2160 kg
2000 kg
Payload Capacity
410 kg
500 kg
Towing Capacity
750 kg
500 kg
Seating Capacity
5 seats
4 seats
Number of Rows
2 rows
2 rows
Doors
5 doors
2 doors
Minimum Turning Radius
5.25 m
12.0 m
Front Headroom
1010 mm
960 mm
Rear Headroom
920 mm
960 mm
Front Legroom
1070 mm
900 mm
Rear Legroom
760 mm
900 mm
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Engine
Single-motor battery-electric powertrain
Electric engine
Engine Code
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Type
Electric
Electric
Hybrid System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Engine Displacement
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinders
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Cylinder Layout
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Valves per Cylinder
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Aspiration
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel System
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Compression Ratio
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Bore
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Stroke
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Maximum Power
150 kW
200 kW
Maximum Torque
310 Nm
335 Nm
Combined Power
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Combined Torque
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Motor Type
Permanent Magnet Synchronous
Permanent-magnet synchronous motor
Number of Motors
1
1
Motor Location
Front
Rear
Drive Type
FWD
RWD
Transmission
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Top Speed
160 km/h
210 km/h
0-100 km/h
7.3 sec
6.7 sec
Quarter Mile
Not Officially Disclosed
15.0 sec
Drive Modes
Eco, Normal, Sport
Comfort, Sport, Individual
Launch Control
Not Officially Disclosed
No
Rev Limiter
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Power-to-Weight Ratio
85.7 kW/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Torque-to-Weight Ratio
177.1 Nm/tonne
Not Officially Disclosed
Battery Capacity
60.48 kWh
85 kWh
Usable Battery Capacity
Not Officially Disclosed
85.0 kWh
Battery Type
LFP
85.0
Battery Voltage
403.2 V
85.0 V
Electric Range
420 km
Not Officially Disclosed
AC Charging Power
7 kW
11 kW
DC Charging Power
80 kW
320 kW
AC Charging Time
9 h 42 min (0-100%)
Not Officially Disclosed
DC Charging Time
44 min (10-80%)
Not Officially Disclosed
Regenerative Braking
Yes
Yes
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Gearbox
Single-Speed Reduction Gear
Single-speed reduction gear
Drivetrain Layout
Front motor, front-wheel drive
RWD
LSD Available
Not Available
No
Transfer Case
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Differential Lock
Not Available
No
Paddle Shifters
Not Applicable
No
Final Drive Ratio
3.476
Model-specific ratio; Hagalu Research Team reference
Number of Gears
1
1
Transmission Type
Automatic
Single-speed reduction gear
Clutch Type
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Gear Shift Indicator
Standard
Yes
Gear Shift Type
Gearshift lever
Electronic shift-by-wire
Drivetrain
FWD
RWD
4WD Engagement
Not Applicable
No
4WD Hi Range
Not Applicable
750
4WD Lo Range
Not Applicable
750
4WD Selector
Not Applicable
No
Automatic Shift Paddles
Not Applicable
No
Front Differential Lock
Not Available
No
Gearbox Type
Single-speed reduction gear
Single-speed reduction gear
Low Range Ratio
Not Applicable
750
Low Range
Not Applicable
750
Axle Layout
4x2
Driven axle configuration: RWD
Rear Differential Lock
Not Applicable
No
Transmission Speeds
1
1
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Claimed Mileage
Not Applicable
0 km/l
City Mileage
Not Applicable
0 km/l
Highway Mileage
Not Applicable
0 km/l
Fuel Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
0 l
Emission Standard
Not Applicable
Zero tailpipe emissions
AdBlue Tank Capacity
Not Applicable
0 l
Auto Start Stop
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Real-world Mileage
Not Applicable
0 km/l
Charging Port Type
Type 2 AC; CCS2 DC
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
Charging Type
AC and DC
CCS2 DC fast charging | Type 2 AC charging
Fuel Tank Litres
Not Applicable
0
Combined Driving Range
420 km
750
Electric Consumption
15.6 kWh/100 km (WLTP)
14.6-12.3 kWh/100 km
Range Real World Highway
310 km
750 km
Range Real World Mixed
390 km
750 km
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Airbags
7
7
ABS
Standard
Yes
Electronic Stability Control
Standard
Yes
Traction Control
Standard
Yes
Hill Descent Control
Standard
No
Hill Start Assist
Standard
Yes
Child Safety Lock
Standard
Yes
ISOFIX Mounts
Standard
Yes
Brake Assist
Standard
Ventilated disc brakes
Tyre Pressure Monitor
Standard
Mercedes-Benz model-specific chassis equipment
Engine Immobiliser
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Warning All Seats
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Front Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
AEB
Standard
Ventilated disc brakes
BA
Standard
Yes
Brake Override System
Standard
Ventilated disc brakes
Curtain Airbags
Standard
Yes
Driver Airbag
Standard
Yes
EBD
Standard
Yes
Engine Immobiliser
Not Applicable
Yes
Hill Hold
Standard
Yes
Passenger Airbag
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Seatbelt Reminder
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Side Airbags
Standard
Yes
Stability Control
Standard
Yes
TCS
Standard
Yes
Knee Airbag
Not Available
Yes
ABS EBD
Standard
Yes
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Cruise Control
Standard
Adaptive cruise control
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Lane Keep Assist
Standard
Yes
Lane Departure Warning
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Monitoring
Standard
Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert
Standard
Yes
Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
Rear View Camera
Standard
Yes
360 Degree Camera
Standard
Yes
Autonomous Emergency Braking
Standard
Ventilated disc brakes
Driver Fatigue Alert
Standard
Yes
Traffic Sign Recognition
Standard
Yes
Auto Highbeam
Standard
Yes
Auto Wipers
Standard
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
Rear Parking Sensors
Standard
Front and rear
Reverse Camera
Standard
Yes
Adaptive Cruise Control
Standard
Yes
Park Assist
Standard
Yes
Around View Monitor
Standard
Yes
Blind Spot Warning
Standard
Yes
Forward Collision Warning
Standard
Yes
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Seat Material
Synthetic leather
ARTICO man-made leather / fabric trim
Heated Seats
Standard
Front heated seats
Ventilated Seats
Not Available
Model/option dependent
Ambient Lighting
Standard
64-colour ambient lighting
Steering Wheel Material
Synthetic leather
Nappa leather multifunction steering wheel
60 40 Split Seat
Standard
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Driver Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Passenger Seat Adjustment
Electric adjustment
Electric adjustment with memory
Seat Trim
Synthetic leather
Comfort seats with model-specific electric adjustment
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Climate Control
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Power Windows
Standard
Yes
Keyless Entry
Standard
KEYLESS-GO
Push Button Start
Standard
Yes
Wireless Charging
Standard
Yes
Sunroof
Panoramic
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Electric Tailgate
Standard
No
Rain Sensing Wipers
Standard
Rain-sensing automatic wipers
AC Type
Automatic
Automatic climate control
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Infotainment System
12.8-inch rotating touchscreen
MBUX multimedia system
Apple CarPlay
Standard
Wireless Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Standard
Wireless Android Auto
Bluetooth Connectivity
Standard
Yes
Number of Speakers
8
13
Digital Instrument Cluster
Full LCD instrument display
12.3-inch digital instrument display
USB Ports
Front and rear USB-A/USB-C ports
USB-C ports
Infotainment Screen
12.8
MBUX multimedia system
Touchscreen
12.8
MBUX multimedia system
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
LED Headlamps
Standard
LED High Performance headlamps
Daytime Running Lamps
LED
LED daytime running lights
Fog Lamps
Rear fog lamp
Integrated LED all-weather lighting
Roof Rails
Standard
No
Exterior Colour Options
Surfing Blue, Cosmos Black, Climbing Grey, Skiing White
Mercedes-Benz model-specific exterior equipment
Headlights
Standard
LED High Performance headlamps
Panoramic Sunroof
Standard
Panoramic glass roof / model-specific roof
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Approach Angle
19 deg
Not Applicable
Departure Angle
24 deg
Not Applicable
Wading Depth
346.85 mm
Not Applicable
Terrain Modes
Snow
Not Applicable
Locking Differential
Not Available
No
4WD System Type
Not Applicable
No
Breakover Angle
13 deg
Not Applicable
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Tyre Size
215/55 R18
245/40 R19
Front Brake Type
Ventilated disc
Ventilated disc
Rear Brake Type
Disc
Disc
Spare Wheel Type
Temporary spare wheel
19-inch alloy wheels
Wheel Rim Size
18
19
Handbrake Type
Electronic parking brake
Ventilated disc brakes
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Front Suspension
MacPherson strut
Independent multi-link suspension
Rear Suspension
Multi-link
Independent multi-link suspension
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
CO2 Emissions
0 g/km
0 g/km
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Service Plan
4 years/80000 km service plan; 5 years/100000 km maintenance plan
5 Years / 100000 km
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Ownership Role
extended-range derivative
Displayed price includes 15% VAT; CO2 tax is separate where listed; five-year/100,000 km service and maintenance plan may be excluded.
Price Zar
783900 ZAR
1212650 ZAR
Pricing Role
extended-range derivative
Current South African retail price
Starting Price
783900
1300000
Starting Price Zar
783900
1300000
Spec
ATTO 3
CLA Electric
Warranty
5 years/100000 km complete vehicle; 8 years/200000 km power battery; 5 years/100000 km drive unit
5 Years / 100000 km
In depth: how these cars differ
This ATTO 3 and CLA Electric 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 3 65 vs CLA Electric 77.
Efficiency index: ATTO 3 90 vs CLA Electric 90.
Safety-equipment index: ATTO 3 99 vs CLA Electric 95.
Practicality index: ATTO 3 51 vs CLA Electric 54.
Ownership-cover index: ATTO 3 not separately scored vs CLA Electric 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.
Model imagery
ATTO 3 and CLA Electric image comparison
Open an image for its full canonical file or visit the model page for the complete vehicle record.
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
CLA Electric leads by 3 points
ATTO 3 and CLA Electric are close on the comparable published fields, so buyer priorities should decide.
Performance
CLA Electric +12
Efficiency
Level
Safety
ATTO 3 +4
Practicality
CLA Electric +3
Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.
Why this scoreView full breakdown
Evidence-index leader
CLA Electric
Performance
77/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
95/100
Practicality
54/100
ATTO 3
Performance
65/100
Efficiency
90/100
Safety
99/100
Practicality
51/100
What the evidence means
Evidence indexMercedes-Benz CLA Electric
leads the specification evidence index with 78 pts
vs 75 pts for ATTO 3
In Hagalu's specification evidence index, CLA Electric leads. However, ATTO 3 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.
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.
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