BYD Atto 3 Review
BYD Atto 3 The new kid on the block BYD has taken off with its fully electric family SUV combining quirky design with a comfortable ride in the Eto 3.
If you don’t care what badge your car wears, and can put up with a gimmick or two, there’s a lot to like about the BYD Atto 3. It’s refined, comfortable and has a well-built interior that’s chock-full of tech and quirky elements, and offers a departure from the gloomy all-black cabin that many other electric SUVs stick with.
The Atto 3 perhaps isn’t as polished in some areas as we’d like, and the ‘Build Your Dreams’ name stamped on the back probably isn’t one of the features buyers will be quick to spot. But if you’re in the market for a family EV, the BYD should be on your radar.
About BYD Atto 3
You’d be forgiven for not knowing much, or really nothing, about the BYD brand – or ‘Build Your Dreams’ to use its full name. Its parent company was established in 1995 and BYD Auto was established in 2003. Unlike other brands, BYD has always produced its own cars, although some look similar to existing models from other manufacturers.
Accelerated growth has seen BYD become one of China’s ‘Big Four’ car makers, and it was the country’s best-selling car brand in the first quarter of 2023. The Atto 3 is BYD’s first model available to order in the UK, but it’s already confirmed that the Dolphin family hatchback and sealed saloon will also be fully
The Atto 3 uses BYD’s latest bespoke EV underpinnings, called the E-Platform 3.0. This set-up could support front, rear and four-wheel drive along with 800V electrics for ultra-rapid charging.
In the case of the Atto 3, however, you get a more conventional recharge speed and a motor driving only the front wheels. But the SUV uses BYD’s own ‘Blade’ battery design, which is integrated into the car’s structure and is claimed to save weight.
The 60.5kWh battery in all Atto 3s sold in the UK is good for a claimed range of 260 miles – just shy of its chief rival, the Kia Niro EV, which we pitted head-to-head against BYD. The less expensive but more conventional MG ZS EV is another direct competitor, offering slightly more range and boot space, while the upcoming all-new Hyundai Kona Electric is sure to give tough competition to the Atto 3.
Speaking of which, with prices starting at around £36,500 and rising to £39,000 for a top-of-the-range model, the Eto 3 will compete with electric family SUVs like the Volkswagen ID.4 and the Skoda Enyaq iV. must compete with.
There are no options for buyers to choose from, only five paint colors and three trim levels called Active, Comfort and Design with very little difference between them.
Standard kit on all models includes LED headlights and a rear light bar, two-zone climate control, 18-inch alloy wheels, vehicle-to-grid charging, an eight-speaker stereo, an air-purification system, cadence- Includes reactive ambient lighting. ,
Panoramic roof, keyless entry and starting, electric front seats with artificial leather upholstery, and rotating central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It sports a 12.8-inch display in the Active and Comfort models, and 15.6-inch in the top-spec versions.