BYD ATTO 3 Review

So, let’s start with the question on most people’s minds - what and who are BYD?

Believe it or not, BYD (short for Build Your Dreams) is THE biggest manufacturer of EVs in the world. BYD has been around since 1995 and manufactures not just cars, but buses, forklifts, solar panels, and even rechargeable batteries.

Though mainly sold in China, BYD Auto has entered the European market with its EV debut, the ATTO 3, and in our opinion, is going to take the market by storm.

From voice command to lane assistance, the BYD ATTO 3 has some top tech features that really enhance your driving experience. Let’s chat through some of our fave.

One of the most popular answers to the question: “Why don’t you own an EV?” is: “It’s too expensive.” Well, for a car that's RRP is only a few grand more than the Ford Kuga (non-EV), the ATTO 3 has so much more to offer - especially when it comes to tech.

The ATTO 3 not only boasts a 12.8” touchscreen as standard (or 15.6” in the design spec), but its ability to control via voice command helps it to stand out. Not only does the touchscreen have fantastic responsiveness, but it also can rotate between landscape and portrait mode at the click of a button.

Simply using the words ‘Hi (or hey) BYD’ you enable voice command for things such as opening the panoramic roof or even turning the AC on and off.

The ATTO 3 is also compatible with Apple Car Play (using the standard USB port closest to the driver), allowing you to listen or voice reply to any messages, use your Apple Maps, and play your favourite tunes.

From lane assistance and intelligent cruise control, to keyless entry and two-zone climate control, the ATTO 3 offers all the assistance you need for a smooth and comfortable drive.

The suspension and 18” alloy wheels make for easy and comfortable driving down country roads. And the low hum of the engine soon dissipates when you reach over 15/20 mph - making you feel like you’re driving on clouds.

And if you’re new to driving a big car, the surround-view cameras (including cameras underneath) make it ridiculously easy to park and judge your surroundings.

BYD has really thought out the needs of families in the ATTO 3, from the ease of switching on child-lock, to the large boot space and spacious passenger seats. And from a backseat passenger perspective, they’ve even included charging points (both USB-A and -C), AC controls, and some quirky guitar string-style bottle holders in the doors.

It was also given a 5-star rating by Euro NCAP, due to its well-equipped and comprehensive crash avoidance technology - making it one of the safest cars available.

Think gym-inspired, aeroplane cockpit and you may nearly be there with the interior design of the ATTO 3. Sporting blue and red vegan leather seats and the quirkiest of AC units (styled as gym dumbbells), the ATTO 3 stands out from the in(side). The use of vegan leather also makes it more sustainable than some other EV counterparts.

The driving controls mimic that of an aeroplane cockpit and the eight-speaker stereo with rhythm-reactive ambient lighting make for a rave-worthy late-night dance party (when the car’s stationary, of course).

It’s well-known in the world of (both electric and fuel) cars, that range can be hugely impacted by the weather and other real-world factors. But, the ATTO 3 does a really good job of offering a strong 200 miles (plus) in real-world range.

Charging is made easy with BYD supplying both your standard charging lead and the 3-pin plug alternative, as well as a V2L extension (meaning you can plug standard appliances into your car).

The ATTO 3 also offers a preset charging rate (i.e. how much energy your car pulls from the socket) that you can change within the settings at any time, making it safe to charge anywhere. And yes, this includes out your window via your 3-pin plug - no overheating or warm plugs in sight.

The BYD ATTO 3 also scored 5 stars in Green NCAP tests, due to their excellent results in cold environments and efficient powertrain and heating concepts.

The BYD ATTO 3 can’t be compared to a non-electric counterpart (because it doesn’t exist), however, its closest comparison to date is the Nissan Qashqai. With a similar size, shape, and not far off price point, you could see the ATTO 3 being a nice electric upgrade to the Qashqai.

For an electric comparison, the ATTO 3 holds many similarities in style and size with the Mercedes Benz EQA. But, the price point differs quite substantially.

If you’re looking for a more luxurious car and have a higher budget then the EQA could be an option. But, if you’re looking for a car with good practicality, no overwhelming amount of tech, but still looks quite stylish, for £20k less, the ATTO 3 provides you with just that.

Overall, we rate the BYD ATTO 3 a 25/30. With a top top-scoring in practicality due to its big boot and spacious legroom. The ATTO 3 doesn’t leave a lot to be desired and with future new colours and the removal of ‘build your dreams’ from the back, this EV is bound to become very popular.