BYD ATTO 3 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

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
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport in South Africa

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

2.4L DI-DC 8-speed A/T 4X4 Exceed Diesel 8-Speed Automatic Current
ZAR 904,990 ex-showroom
⚡ 133 kW 🔧 430 Nm ⛽ 12.3 km/l
＋ Add a 3rd car

Decision summary

BYD ATTO 3 vs Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: the short answer

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

ATTO 3 starts ZAR 90,090 cheaper ATTO 3 from ZAR 699,900 · Pajero Sport from ZAR 789,990

Five key differences

Exact selected derivatives
Specification ATTO 3 Pajero Sport
Maximum Power ATTO 3150 kW Pajero Sport133 kW @ 3500 rpm
Maximum Torque ATTO 3310 Nm Pajero Sport430 Nm @ 2500 rpm
Engine Size ATTO 3Not Applicable Pajero Sport2442 cc
Combined Fuel Economy ATTO 3Not Applicable Pajero Sport12.3 km/l
Ground Clearance ATTO 3175 mm Pajero Sport218 mm

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

What Each Car Gets Right (and Wrong)

Specification evidence leader

ATTO 3

Strengths
  • Better fuel efficiency
  • Stronger listed safety equipment
Weak Spots
  • Lower published practicality figures
Best suited to: Published Efficiency

Pajero Sport

Strengths
  • Stronger published practicality figures
Weak Spots
  • Lower fuel efficiency
  • Fewer listed safety features
Best suited to: Published Practicality

Which One's Right for You?

ATTO 3

  • Buyers prioritising the lower published fuel or energy use
  • Buyers prioritising the more complete listed safety equipment

Pajero Sport

  • Buyers prioritising the stronger published space and capacity figures

Full Specs, Side by Side

Spec ATTO 3 Pajero Sport
Model Introduced Year 2023 2017
Generation First South African ATTO 3 generation Third-generation Pajero Sport, 2025 facelift
Facelift History No separately marketed South African facelift announced as at August 2026 South African facelift launched in May 2025.
Facelift Launched Since Original current-generation version Current specification
Facelift Version Ending Current Current
Body Style SUV SUV
Model Year 2026 2026
Production Status Active active
Segment Compact SUV Seven-seat ladder-frame SUV
Vehicle Type Passenger vehicle Passenger vehicle
Spec ATTO 3 Pajero Sport
Length 4455 mm 4825 mm
Width 1875 mm 1815 mm
Height 1615 mm 1805 mm
Wheelbase 2720 mm 2800 mm
Ground Clearance (Default) 175 mm 218 mm
Ground Clearance (With Full Seating Load) 150 mm 190 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity 0 l 68 l
Boot/Cargo Space 310 l 193 l
Kerb Weight 1750 kg 2080 kg
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 2160 kg 2775 kg
Payload Capacity 410 kg 695 kg
Towing Capacity 750 kg 2850 kg
Seating Capacity 5 seats 7 seats
Number of Rows 2 rows 3 rows
Doors 5 doors 5 doors
Minimum Turning Radius 5.25 m 5.6 m
Front Headroom 1010 mm 1022 mm
Rear Headroom 920 mm 957 mm
Front Legroom 1070 mm 1067 mm
Rear Legroom 760 mm 880 mm

In depth: how these cars differ

This ATTO 3 and Pajero Sport 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 Pajero Sport 65.

Efficiency index: ATTO 3 90 vs Pajero Sport 49.

Safety-equipment index: ATTO 3 99 vs Pajero Sport 72.

Practicality index: ATTO 3 51 vs Pajero Sport 71.

Ownership-cover index: ATTO 3 not separately scored vs Pajero Sport 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 3 leads by 10 points

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

Evidence leader 75 /100
Lead 10 points
Data 69% source coverage
75
#1 Evidence leader

ATTO 3

69% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 99 Check Practicality 51
Performance 65
Efficiency 90
Safety 99
Practicality 51
Leads by 10 points
65
#2

Pajero Sport

83% source coverage 2 strong categories
Best at Safety 72 Check Efficiency 49
Performance 65
Efficiency 49
Safety 72
Practicality 71
Performance 24% Safety 22% Practicality 22% Efficiency 17% Ownership 15%
Category leaders What moves the verdict
Performance Level Efficiency ATTO 3 +41 Safety ATTO 3 +27 Practicality Pajero Sport +20

Moderate difference in the source-backed catalogue index.

Why this score View full breakdown
Evidence-index leader

ATTO 3

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

Pajero Sport

Performance 65/100
Efficiency 49/100
Safety 72/100
Practicality 71/100

What the evidence means

Evidence index BYD ATTO 3 leads the specification evidence index with 75 pts vs 65 pts for Pajero Sport

In Hagalu's specification evidence index, ATTO 3 leads. However, Pajero Sport 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.

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ATTO 3 vs Pajero Sport 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.