BYD Atto 3 Review 2024

The BYD Atto 3 is a quirky Chinese-built electric SUV that's set to tempt buyers away from the MG ZS EV and Kia Niro EV. We don't think it'll be cheap enough to sell in the same numbers as MG's electric cars, but you do get a lot of standard equipment for your money - not to mention a weird and wonderful interior. Keep reading our full BYD Atto 3 review to find out if it's the electric vehicle for you.

BYD is brand new to the UK market, but don't be fooled into thinking it's a tiny startup that's punching above its weight. BYD (or Build Your Dreams to give it its full title) sold more plug-in cars than Tesla in 2022. It has its roots in battery making and it makes all its own major components - so a microchip shortage shouldn't slow down production.

The BYD Atto 3 is the first of its line-up to hit the UK market, ahead of the smaller BYD Dolphin. It'll be sold the old fashioned way, via traditional car dealerships, and it's likely you'll be seeing the Atto 3 on company car shortlists and parked in hire car depots. The brand is very keen to get this electric SUV out on UK roads.

So what does it rival? Well, it's a sub-£40,000 electric SUV, which means it's rivalling cars like the Hyundai Kona Electric, the impressive Renault Megane E-Tech and the Vauxhall Mokka Electric to name a few.

In reality, it's actually slightly bigger than a lot of these - think more Nissan Qashqai than Renault Captur in terms of size.

The exterior is unlikely to turn any heads (apart from those who wish to laugh at the 'Build Your Dreams' badge on the back, perhaps... you can get that removed free of charge). There are some bold exterior colours, but we're not really seeing the Chinese dragon front end.

The interior, however, is something else. You get guitar strings on the door pockets (yes, you can actually play them), a weird mix of colours and a central infotainment screen that turns on the touch of a button. A lot of it is quite gimmicky but, compare the list of standard equipment with rivals, and you're actually getting quite a lot for your cash.

There are three models available: Active, Comfort and Design (not a lot of imagination has gone into the trim levels, has it?). Standard equipment on the Active is so comprehensive that we wouldn't bother with the higher-spec grades, unless you really want the bigger infotainment screen and a powered tailgate.

All BYD Atto 3 models in the UK come with the same powertrain. That means you get a 204PS electric motor powered by a 60kWh battery pack which returns an official range of up to 260 miles.

It's about as exciting to drive as it is to look at, but at least it's comfortable and there's plenty of safety equipment. A five-star Euro NCAP safety rating should put your mind at rest about buying a relatively unknown car, as should its four-year warranty.

Should you buy one? Well, it's slightly bigger and more practical than a lot of other electric SUVs. And the interior is fairly interesting (which, for once, isn't a polite way of saying it's awful). It's just a shame it's not a new car bargain in the same way an MG ZS EV or MG 4 is.

Chinese electric cars are a bit of a mixed bag in terms of how they handle European roads. The MG 4 EV, for example, is one of the most enjoyable electric cars on sale... while the Ora Funky Cat is, well, quite the opposite.

Pleasingly, the BYD Atto 3 sits somewhere between the two. It's quite softly setup, which means it rolls quite a lot in corners and the very light steering doesn't exactly inspire confidence. But it handles well enough, with plenty of grip and an impressive talent for soaking up bumpy road surfaces (without feeling too floaty in the process).

The BYD Atto 3 is based on the brand's third-generation electric platform with an 8-in-1 electric powertrain (designed to improve efficiency). The platform can support two- and four-wheel-drive models, although the Atto 3 is strictly front-wheel drive (for now, anyway).

The 'blade' batteries power a single electric motor which produces 204PS and 310Nm of torque, resulting in 0-62mph acceleration of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 99mph. This is pretty average performance for an EV, although it'll feel sprightly if you haven't driven one before. The instant response is there and makes for keen getaways.

There are four driving modes available: sport, normal, economy and snow. We flicked between them and the difference between them is so negligible, you'd be best just leaving it in normal and forgetting about them.

The same can be said for the regenerative braking - there's a normal or high mode, with the latter increasing the amount the motor slows the car down as you lift off the accelerator. It's a long way off one-pedal driving, though - a Hyundai Kona Electric or Kia Niro EV has much more severe brake regen available.

Don't think you're scrimping on safety by buying a cheap Chinese EV. The BYD Atto 3 has been awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, including an impressive 91 per cent score for adult occupant protection and 89 per cent for child occupants.

There's a long list of advanced driver assist features fitted as standard on even the cheapest BYD Atto 3. These include a Forward Collision Warning system which combines with Automatic Emergency Braking to apply the brakes if it detects a potential collision.

There's a slightly irritating Lane Keep Assistance feature (that's easily turned off), along with Rear Cross Traffic Alert to monitor your surrounding when you're reversing out of a parking space.

There are two Isofix mounting points in the outer rear seats, as well as one in the front passenger seat. There's also the usual offering of airbags, including a central one to prevent a collision between the driver and front-seat passenger.

Measuring 4455mm in length, 2050mm wide (including door mirrors) and 1615mm high, the BYD Atto 3 is slightly bigger than the MG ZS EV, Smart #1 and Vauxhall Mokka Electric - but smaller than a Skoda Enyaq iV. Its closest competitor in terms of size is the Kia Niro EV - or, to put it into context, a petrol Nissan Qashqai.

That means it should be practical enough to use as your main family car. And it certainly feels pretty spacious inside, making good use of its dedicated electric car platform. It's easy to find a comfortable (and slightly raised) seating position, while we found the seats to be perfectly supportive during our drive.

Space in the back is pretty good, even for three adults side-by-side. There are Isofix mounting points back there for easy child-seat fitting, as well as one on the front passenger seat.

The boot is able to carry around 440 litres of luggage, which matches the Renault Megane E-Tech but is trumped (on paper, at least) by the Niro's 475-litre boot. It's a very useable shape, though, with easy access - helped by the electric tailgate on Design models.

While the BYD Atto 3's exterior is a little on the bland side, the same certainly can't be said for its interior. It's apparently inspired by a gym, with barbell-style door handles, a kettlebell-inspired gear selector, air vents that look like free weights and, erm, playable guitar strings on the doors.

It won't be to everyone's tastes, but a bold colour scheme with contrasting red, blue and cream finishes certainly looks a bit more interesting than the dull black interior of many SUVs. The standard-fit panoramic sunroof helps here, too.

Is it posh? No, not really. But it feels better finished than the MG 4's cabin. Only time will tell how well things like the guitar string door pockets cope with family life...

The infotainment is a real party piece of the BYD Atto 3 (or, at least, its most gimmicky feature). Our top-spec BYD Atto 3 Design test car was fitted with a big 15.6-inch touchscreen display - which can rotate at the touch of a button. Lesser models make do with a 12.8-inch system which is equally keen to spin 180 degrees.

We reckon most drivers will soon decide they prefer a portrait or landscape display and stick with it, although at least the option is there.

It's a perfectly decent system to use, with sharp graphics and sensible menu layouts. Apple CarPlay is standard, too, although Android Auto users will have to wait - it'll be added via an over-the-air update at a later date.

The BYD Atto 3 Active is priced at £36,490 from launch, while the Comfort is £36,990 and the top-spec Atto 3 Design is £38,990. The price walk between the trim levels is quite small but, actually, you don't get a lot more equipment for your cash with each model.

The top-spec BYD Atto 3 Design is worth going for if you want the biggest touchscreen display, but most buyers will find the entry-level Active to be comprehensively equipped.

In terms of value for money compared to rivals, the BYD Atto 3 isn't exactly a bargain-basement electric vehicle. It's very similar to the Kia Niro EV in terms of size, and the entry-level Niro EV is only around £300 more than the BYD.

You do get a few more features in the BYD for your money, though, such as synthetic leather seats and a panoramic sunroof.

Bargain hunters might be better looking at the MG ZS EV (or the MG 4 EV hatchback). The MG ZS starts from just £30,495, while the top-spec model is around £1000 cheaper than the most affordable BYD Atto 3.

All BYD Atto 3 models come with a 60kWh battery pack, capable of travelling around 260 miles between charges according to WLTP figures.

#We reckon closer to 200 miles will be more realistic, which is less than an MG ZS EV Long Range or Kia Niro EV can manage. Unlike many competitors, though, a heat pump is standard across the Atto 3 line-up - so it should be more efficient in winter.

Charging is limited to a maximum of 88kW, which means you won't be able to utilise the fastest rapid chargers to their maximum capability.

Manufacturers are increasingly telling us that the fastest rapid chargers aren't great for long-term battery life, though, so the Atto 3's lower charging rate could be good news in the long term. It's still capable of topping up from 10 to 80 per cent in around 45 minutes.

A full charge at home using a 7kW charger will take a little under 10 hours - ideal for an overnight top-up.

The BYD Atto 3 comes with a four-year/70,000-mile warranty, while the battery is covered for eight years or 120,000 miles.

The BYD Atto 3 is available in Active, Comfort or Design trim.

Standard equipment on the entry-level BYD Atto 3 Active includes a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights and taillights, a synthetic leather steering wheel, synthetic leather seats (heated and with electric adjustment in the front), ambient interior lighting, a rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen display, DAB radio, wireless phone charging, a five-inch LCD instrument panel, front and rear parking sensors, vehicle-to-load bi-directional charging and a heat pump.

The BYD Atto 3 Comfort adds an 11kW on-board charger and a three-phase charging cable.

The top-spec BYD Atto 3 Design features extra interior ambient lighting, a PM2.5 air purification system, the 15.6-inch rotating touchscreen display and interior floor mats.