Review: BYD Atto 3
Electric BYD Atto 3 Review
BYD is one of a number of new Chinese brands that are making their way into the European market. BYD, which stands for ‘Build Your Dreams’, has already got a significant foothold, too, with this car - the Atto 3 - acting as the firm’s entry point to its range of vehicles.
But against cars like the Volkswagen ID.3 and Cupra Born, what can the Atto 3 deliver and why should you be checking it out? Let’s take a look.
What’s new?
BYD is a battery technology company first and foremost, which means that it’s already level with many rivals when it comes to powertrains. Its Blade battery - which is used in the Atto 3 - is designed to be more energy-dense than other alternatives, which means that it can store more charge while being lighter than rival offerings. It’s also included as part of the car’s overall structure, making the whole thing stiffer and better to drive.
It’s easy to see BYD as a true newcomer, but it has already seen some great success around the world with 3.5 million cars sold across the globe already.
What’s under the bonnet?
The Atto 3’s engine setup is pretty straightforward. There’s a 60.5kWh battery which can deliver a range of up to 260 miles, while power is sent to a 201bhp electric motor for a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds and a 99mph top speed. It’s all pretty smack-bang in the middle of the pack and more than enough to match rivals.
Hooked up to a 150kW charger the Atto 3 will take 44 minutes to go from zero to 80 per cent. Use a 7kW home charger and you’ll see a full charge taken nine hours and 45 minutes, so about right for an overnight stop-over.
What’s the BYD Atto 3 like to drive?
The Atto 3 actually delivers a fairly neutral, easy-to-get-along-with driving experience that’ll make it a great option for newbies to the EV segment. The throttle is easy to manage, the steering has a nice bit of weight to it and it’s comfortable over rough surfaces too.
The performance that the Atto 3 delivers is more than enough for everyday driving, too, and you still get that great zip away from the line that you only find in electric vehicles. We’ve also got to mention the seats - they’re really comfortable and will definitely help during those longer journeys.
How does it look?
BYD hasn’t gone down the route taken by other manufacturers and made the Atto 3 eye-grabbingly controversial in design, instead adopting a more conventional look. It’s still interesting, mind you, with a slightly upright stance giving the Atto 3 a chunky presence on the road.
As we’ve seen on other electric vehicles, the BYD has a central light bar which ties together the rear lights, while up front there’s a nice chrome section which helps to brighten up the look of the car.
What’s it like inside?
We really like the ergonomics of the Atto 3’s cabin. Everything is placed just where you’d expect, while there’s also loads of head- and legroom for those sitting in the back. There’s also a 420-litre boot to play with and this can be increased up to 1,338 litres when you fold down the rear seats.
There’s a good sense of build quality here, too, alongside some quirkier touches - the side pockets have been designed to resemble guitar strings and you can even play a little tune on them.
What’s the spec like?
You’re getting loads of equipment in the Atto 3, right from the off. There are just three specifications to choose from, but all get a panoramic sunroof as standard alongside LED headlights and 18-inch alloy wheels. However, the most important standard feature is the efficiency-boosting heat pump which helps the Atto 3 to operate at its ideal temperature at all times. It’s often an extra on most other EVs.
Entry-level Active and mid-level Comfort cars get a cool 12.8-inch central screen while top-level Design versions have this boosted up to a 15.6-inch version instead. However, they’re all great to use and can be swivelled from portrait to landscape orientation at the push of a button.
Verdict
The BYD Atto 3 feels like the ideal ‘first’ electric car. It’s got plenty of range and some great on-board technology but, most importantly, it’s really user-friendly and feels simple to drive and operate.
Though BYD might be a relative unknown here in the UK, the Atto 3 shows that this a company that deserves to be taken seriously - this is an electric car that can really run with the big hitters.
