KATHMANDU: The intense competition once seen among petrol cars is now seen in the EV segment. MG’s S5 Luxury long-range variant is giving stiff competition to BYD’s Atto 3 Advanced, which has dominated this segment for the past two years. Widely praised as a ‘segment killer’ in several EV forums, the MG S5 has generated significant buzz online, not just challenging the Atto 3 but also competing with other EVs in the segment like the Seres 3, Kaiyi X3 Pro, Hyundai Creta EV and Omoda E5.
Here, we compared specs and features of the two cars.
Battery & Performance
Despite the lower price, the S5 packs a larger 62.2 kWh battery which MG is promoting as the world’s thinnest battery. The Atto 3 Advanced comes with a 49.92 kWh Blade battery. In terms of motor output, the Atto 3 edges slightly ahead with 100 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque, while the S5 has a 99 kW motor delivering 250 Nm of torque.
However, the S5 outshines the Atto 3 in range and charging capacity. It delivers a WLTP range of 430 km, compared to Atto 3’s 345 km
Both cars support 7 kW AC charging, but the S5 pulls ahead in DC fast-charging capacity, supporting fast charging at 150 kW. The Atto 3 supports only 80 kW of fast charging.
Dimensions & Ground Clearance
Both SUVs are closely matched in terms of physical dimensions. The S5 measures 4476 mm in length, 1849 mm in width and 1621 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2730 mm. The Atto 3 is slightly shorter and narrower at 4455 mm in length, 1875 mm in width and 1615 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2720 mm. While the Atto 3 is marginally wider by 26 mm, the S5 is longer, taller, and has a slightly longer wheelbase.
In terms of ground clearance, which is a key consideration in Nepal, S5 edges with a ground clearance of 180 mm compared to Atto 3’s 175 mm. The Atto 3 also rides on larger 17-inch wheels, whereas the S5 comes with 15-inch wheels.
Although both vehicles offer ADAS Level 2 safety features, they differ in drivetrain technology. The Atto 3 uses a front-wheel drive setup, while the S5 features rear-wheel drive. Interior layout, seat comfort, and material quality differ as well, with each brand offering its own take on premium design.
Pricing
The BYD Atto 3 Advanced is priced at Rs 5.69 million, unchanged since last year.
The MG S5 Long Range on the other hand is available at Rs 5.499 million. This makes the S5 Rs 191,000 cheaper than the Atto 3 Advanced.
Finally
The Atto 3 Advanced has proven itself as a reliable and successful model in the Nepali market for the past two years. However, the S5 enters the scene with impressive specs, aggressive pricing and growing interest from consumers. The coming months will determine whether the S5 can sustain its momentum or if it will struggle to keep up with the established players.
