BYD ATTO 3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE

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 3 in South Africa

BYD ATTO 3

Extended Range EV Electric Single-Speed Reduction Gear Current
ZAR 783,900 ex-showroom
⚡ 150 kW 🔧 310 Nm
VS
Mercedes-Benz GLE in South Africa

Mercedes-Benz GLE

GLE 300 d 4MATIC Diesel Mild Hybrid 9-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 1,843,965 ex-showroom
⚡ 198 kW 🔧 550 Nm ⛽ 14.7 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD ATTO 3 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE: the short answer

GLE has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ATTO 3 remains close.

ATTO 3 starts ZAR 1,144,065 cheaper ATTO 3 from ZAR 699,900 · GLE from ZAR 1,843,965

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ATTO 3 GLE
Maximum Power ATTO 3150 kW GLE198 kW
Maximum Torque ATTO 3310 Nm GLE550 Nm
Engine Size ATTO 3Not Applicable GLE1993 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ATTO 3Not Applicable GLE14.7 km/l
Ground Clearance ATTO 3175 mm GLE205 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.

Read the review and score breakdown

Mercedes-Benz GLE

GLE 300 d 4MATIC

Hagalu editorial rating Not yet rated

No complete editorial rating is published for this exact variant. This is not a zero score.

How Hagalu rates cars

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
  • Better fuel efficiency
Weak Spots
  • Less powerful engine setup
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency
Specification evidence leader

GLE

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

Which One's Right for You?

ATTO 3

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use

GLE

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published powertrain figures
  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ATTO 3 GLE
Model Introduced Year 2023 2026
Generation First South African ATTO 3 generation Current South African GLE generation represented by derivative GLE 300 d 4MATIC
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 Suv
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active Current South African retail range
Segment Compact SUV Premium SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle SUV
Spec ATTO 3 GLE
Length 4455 mm 4924 mm
Width 1875 mm 1947 mm
Height 1615 mm 1797 mm
Wheelbase 2720 mm 2995 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 205 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm 220 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 85 l
Boot/Cargo Space 310 l 630 l
Kerb Weight 1750 kg 2350 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2160 kg 2000 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 700 kg
Towing Capacity 750 kg 2000 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 5 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 2 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.25 m 6.0 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

In depth: how these cars differ

This ATTO 3 and GLE 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 GLE 93.

Efficiency index: ATTO 3 90 vs GLE 61.

Safety-equipment index: ATTO 3 99 vs GLE 99.

Practicality index: ATTO 3 51 vs GLE 77.

Ownership-cover index: ATTO 3 not separately scored vs GLE 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

GLE leads by 9 points

GLE has a modest catalogue-index lead, while ATTO 3 remains close.

Evidence leader 84 /100
Lead 9 points
Data 83% source coverage
84
#1 Evidence leader

GLE

83% source coverage 3 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Efficiency 61
Performance 93
Efficiency 61
Safety 99
Practicality 77
Leads by 9 points
75
#2

ATTO 3

69% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Practicality 51
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 99
Practicality 51
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance GLE +28 Efficiency ATTO 3 +29 Safety Level Practicality GLE +26

Close catalogue match. Buyer priorities should decide the outcome.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

GLE

Performance 93/100
Efficiency 61/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 77/100

ATTO 3

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 90/100
Safety 99/100
Practicality 51/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index Mercedes-Benz GLE leads the specification evidence index with 84 pts vs 75 pts for ATTO 3

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, GLE 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.

ATTO 3
ATTO 3
VS
Santa Fe Hybrid
Santa Fe Hybrid
ATTO 3 vs Santa Fe Hybrid →
ATTO 3
ATTO 3
VS
iX2
iX2
ATTO 3 vs iX2 →
ATTO 3
ATTO 3
VS
iX1
iX1
ATTO 3 vs iX1 →
ATTO 3
ATTO 3
VS
X4
X4
ATTO 3 vs X4 →
ATTO 3
ATTO 3
VS
bZ4X
bZ4X
ATTO 3 vs bZ4X →
ATTO 3
ATTO 3
VS
Tank 500
Tank 500
ATTO 3 vs Tank 500 →
GLE
GLE
VS
Santa Fe Hybrid
Santa Fe Hybrid
GLE vs Santa Fe Hybrid →
GLE
GLE
VS
iX2
iX2
GLE vs iX2 →

ATTO 3 vs GLE 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.