EV Showdown: Honda e:N1 vs Proton e.MAS 7 vs BYD Atto 3 Ultra vs MG S5 EV

EV Showdown: Honda e:N1 vs Proton e.MAS 7 vs BYD Atto 3 Ultra vs MG S5 EV

As Malaysia’s electric vehicle market heats up, four contenders are positioning themselves in the compact crossover EV segment, priced within the RM150k bracket. The top-specced MG S5 EV, Proton e.MAS 7 Premium, BYD Atto 3 Ultra, and Honda e:N1 each bring unique strengths to the table — but which one offers the best balance of performance, tech, and value?

We dive deep into a full comparison based on powertrain, battery, size, features, safety, and price.

1. Performance & Drivetrain

 

MG S5 EV

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium

BYD Atto 3 Ultra

Honda e:N1

Power

170 PS

214 PS

204 PS

204 PS

Torque

250 Nm

320 Nm

310 Nm

310 Nm

0–100 km/h

8.2 sec

7.1 sec

7.3 sec

7.7 sec

Drive Type

Rear-Wheel Drive

Front-Wheel Drive

Front-Wheel Drive

Front-Wheel Drive

Motor Type

PMSM

PMSM

PMSM

PMSM

The Proton e.MAS 7 Premium stands out with the most powerful motor and quickest 0–100 km/h sprint. The MG S5 EV, though less powerful, is the only RWD model, promising a unique driving feel in this segment. BYD and Honda offer similar specs but fall behind slightly in torque and acceleration.

2. Battery, Range & Charging

 

MG S5 EV

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium

BYD Atto 3 Ultra

Honda e:N1

Battery Capacity

62 kWh

60.22 kWh

60.48 kWh

68.8 kWh

Battery Type

LFP

LFP

LFP

NMC

WLTP Range

430 km

410 km

420 km

412 km

AC Charging

7 kW

11 kW

7 kW

10 kW

DC Charging

150 kW

100 kW

88 kW

78 kW

V2L Function

Yes

Yes

Yes

Not stated

The MG S5 EV impresses with the highest range and the fastest DC charging capability. Despite having the largest battery, the Honda e:N1 delivers a lower range and slower charge rates. Proton and BYD hit the sweet spot for balanced usability, though Proton edges out BYD in charging speed.

3. Dimensions & Practicality

 

MG S5 EV

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium

BYD Atto 3 Ultra

Honda e:N1

Length

4,476 mm

4,615 mm

4,455 mm

4,380 mm

Width

1,849 mm

1,901 mm

1,875 mm

1,790 mm

Height

1,621 mm

1,670 mm

1,615 mm

1,592 mm

Wheelbase

2,730 mm

2,750 mm

2,720 mm

2,610 mm

Boot Space

453 L

461 L

440 L

344 L

Kerb Weight

1,705 kg

1,765 kg

1,750 kg

1,662 kg

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium leads in every key dimension, promising superior cabin space and comfort. MG S5 EV and BYD Atto 3 are neck and neck in footprint and boot volume. The Honda e:N1 is clearly the most compact, ideal for urban mobility but less spacious.

4. Interior Features & Technology

 

MG S5 EV

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium

BYD Atto 3 Ultra

Honda e:N1

Infotainment Display

12.8” Fixed

15.6” Floating

15.6” Rotating

15.1” Portrait

Instrument Cluster

10.25” Digital 

8.8” Digital

5” Digital

10.25” Digital 

CarPlay/Android Auto

Wireless

Wireless

Wireless

Wireless

Audio System

6-speaker

Flyme 16-speaker

Dirac HD 8-speaker

6-speaker

Ambient Lighting

No

Yes (256 colours)

Yes (multi-color)

Yes (only blue)

Panoramic Sunroof

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Wireless Phone Charger

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Power Seats

Driver only

6-way + 4-way

6-way + 4-way

8-way Driver only

Air Conditioning

Auto A/C

Auto A/C w/ N95

Auto A/C w/ CN95

Dual Auto A/C

Powered Tailgate

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

Proton takes the lead in cabin tech and comfort with a large screen, 16-speaker audio, and dual power seats. BYD holds its own with a rotating display and premium touches. MG S5 EV offers modern essentials. Honda e:N1 remains relatively spartan, pending full variant disclosure.

5. Safety & Driver Assistance

 

MG S5 EV

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium

BYD Atto 3 Ultra

Honda e:N1

Airbags

7

6

7

6

AEB

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Adaptive Cruise Control

Yes

Yes (with ICC)

Yes (Stop & Go)

Yes

Lane Keep / Centering

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Blind Spot Monitoring

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rear Cross Traffic Alert

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Driver Monitoring

Yes

Yes

Yes

Not stated

Auto High Beam

Yes

Yes

Adaptive Lighting

Yes

360-degree Camera

Yes

Yes

Yes

Multi-Angle rearview camera 

The Proton e.MAS 7 stands out with the most complete and advanced safety suite in this segment, offering true Level 2 autonomous driving capability. It incorporates more radars and sensors than its competitors, resulting in faster response times and more reliable driver assistance, especially during adaptive cruise, lane keeping, and emergency braking scenarios.

While MG and BYD offer solid Level 2 features, Proton’s system — including Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) — delivers a more cohesive and confident driving experience. The Honda e:N1 offers the basics, but details on its advanced features remain limited.

6. Pricing

 

Starting Price (RM)

MG S5 EV

From 115,000 (EST)

Proton e.MAS 7 Premium

123,800

BYD Atto 3 Ultra

123,800

Honda e:N1

149,900

Conclusion: Which EV Is Right for You?

All four contenders—the Honda e:Ny1, MG S5 EV Premium, Proton e.MAS 7, and BYD Atto 3—boast similar performance and core specifications, making them closely matched on paper. However, the Proton e.MAS 7 Premium edges ahead when it comes to sheer value, especially considering its generous size and feature set. In the end, it will likely come down to personal preferences—be it design, brand loyalty, or specific feature priorities. So, which one would be your pick?

Honda e:N1

MG S5 EV

Proton e.MAS 7

BYD Atto 3

Jay Dinesh
A car guy with retail experience in the automotive industry and a home mechanic during off days. Jay is living his childhood topgear dreams working with Cars of Malaysia