BYD Atto 3 Car Review - Honest Verdict, Specs, UK Guide & Lots, Lots More

Then, when viewed from the side, the Atto 3 has a classic, practical crossover shape here.

For instance, you get a strong crease, known as a shoulder line technically, that runs from the front wing to the rear lights, giving it a solid and planted feel.

As a result, the unique design feature here is the textured, scale-like silver panel on the C-pillar (the pillar behind the rear passenger windows), which just really does a good job of breaking up the bodywork and adds a point of interest to it at the same time as well.

The roofline then slopes gently towards the rear, finishing with a spoiler that sits above the back window.

Here, we really liked that BYD has avoided a dramatic coupe-like slope, which is a sensible choice if you ask us here, as it helps to maximise the room for your passengers in the back seats by doing so.

Then a set of functional, smart-looking roof rails also comes as standard on all UK models as well which is a really nice touch, too.

At the back, a full-width LED light bar then mirrors the design of the front, giving the car a wide and modern appearance, particularly at night.

The most talked-about feature is undoubtedly the "BUILD YOUR DREAMS" slogan, which is spelt out in large chrome letters across the tailgate.

Overall, it’s a bold statement that you’ll either love or hate, but it is certainly memorable.

In the UK, the Atto 3 also comes with a single wheel choice: a set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

They then feature an eye-catching two-tone design with polished metal surfaces and black inserts here as well.

Overall, the style is also partially aerodynamic, with a semi-enclosed look that has been designed to reduce air turbulence and slightly improve the car's efficiency and range by doing so as well - more on the Atto 3's range in a little bit.

For your paint options, here BYD offers you a refreshing range of colours for the Atto 3, moving beyond the typical monochrome palette.

As a result, as a buyer, you can choose from several vibrant options, including Surfing Blue, Parkour Red, and Climbing Grey, all of which, in turn, allow for a touch more personality than many rivals offer here as well. We should note.

With your paint colours here are based on the following:

• Surfing Blue
• Skiing White
• Climbing Grey
• Parkour Red

The centerpiece of the cabin, though, it must be said, is the huge central touchscreen.

On the entry-level 'Comfort' trim, it measures 12.8 inches, while the top-spec 'Design' model gets a massive 15.6-inch screen.

In a fantastic party trick, the screen here can also rotate from landscape to portrait orientation at the touch of a button to suit how you want to have it as well.

Overall, it's a bright, high-resolution display, and while the built-in software can be a little clunky at times, it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.

In front of the driver then sits a much smaller 5-inch digital display that moves with the steering column and shows you essential information that you need to have, like your speed, range, and driver-assist status, to give you some examples here.

Moving back a little to the front seats, these are sporty, one-piece items with integrated headrests, all of which are upholstered in vegan leather as standard across all models.

They are comfortable and supportive for most journeys as well and come with heating and electric adjustment as standard - which is a huge bonus.

Space in the back is also very impressive for a car of this size, we must note.

This space is thanks to the dedicated electric platform, as the floor is completely flat, meaning there’s no awkward tunnel for the middle passenger to contend with here.

This then creates excellent legroom, allowing two adults to sit comfortably for long periods of time, for instance.

Headroom, however, is slightly less generous, especially for those over six feet tall, due to the standard-fit panoramic sunroof, which slightly lowers the ceiling here.

However, the unique 'guitar string' door pockets, which you can actually pluck, are a fun touch that kids will love.

Overall, cabin comfort is just a real strength.

For instance, here, you get a soft suspension that just creates a smooth ride, and the standard panoramic sunroof (with an electric blind) floods the interior with light - making it feel bright and airy as a result.

The climate control system is then effective and includes a very sophisticated air purification system, which is a quiet and relaxing space to spend time in, in our view, particularly around town.

The Atto 3 is also packed with technology as standard.

For instance, here, alongside the rotating screen and digital driver display, every model comes with a wireless phone charging pad, a voice command system ("Hi, BYD"), and multi-colour ambient lighting.

Then, on the 'Design' model, this lighting can even be set to pulse in time with the music playing through the stereo, adding to the cabin's fun-loving atmosphere, which we really liked a lot.

The boot is also a good, practical size for a family, offering you 440 litres of space with the rear seats in place here.

This is more than enough for a large weekly shop or luggage for a family holiday as well.

The boot floor is then adjustable, so in its higher position, it creates a completely flat load area when you fold the rear seats down here, expanding the total space to 1,338 litres as it does so as well.

Then, to finish this off, there is also a useful underfloor storage area that is perfect for stowing the car's charging cables as well, which we really liked.

*All information and illustrations are based on data available at the time of print (Oct 2022) and are subject to change without prior notice. Please contact your local BYD dealer for the latest information.

All versions of the BYD Atto 3 sold in the UK are equipped with a single electric motor that powers the front wheels.

This motor then produces a very healthy 204 PS (which is equivalent to horsepower) and 310 Newton-metres of torque as well.

All in all, this is a very competitive power output for this class of vehicle, putting it on par with or even ahead of many key rivals as well here.

The world’s first mass-produced 8-in-1 electric powertrain also comes in the Atto 3 as well.

Here, BYD have done a great job at vertical integration capabilities within their supply chain.

In turn, this then allows BYD to integrate 8 key components incorporating VCU, BMS, MCU, PDU, DC-DC controller, on-board charger, drive motor, and transmission, to produce the world’s first mass-produced 8-in-1 electric powertrain system - which greatly optimises your space utilisation and energy efficiency by doing so for instance.

With the Atto 3, you are also getting an advanced energy-saving heat pump system that impressively comes as standard.

This system then reliably operates in a broad range of temperatures and is designed to highly utilise residual heat from the car's surroundings, the powertrain, the passenger compartment, and even the batteries.

As a result, it then enhances the thermal efficiency of the car's systems and reduces energy loss as well - whether heating or cooling.

Which in turn improves your range and lowers your running costs, especially in cold weather.

BYD has been a pioneering name in the battery industry for more than 27 years - and today, this is no different.

As a result, you are getting not just a standard EV battery pack with the Atto 3 but the game-changing Blade Battery, which has passed a series of extreme tests in rigorous conditions, making it one of the world's safest batteries to use in a car chassis as a result.

They have managed to achieve this as the raw material used, Lithium Iron Phosphate, has a number of beneficial characteristics: slow heat generation, low heat release and non-oxygen release.

The unique flat rectangle shape of the battery as well also helps you to improve your cooling efficiency and preheating performance compared to more traditional batteries.

The Blade Battery has also safely passed the nail penetration test without emitting fire or smoke as well - making it exceptionally safe to use.

They also come arranged in an array in one pack, with each cell serving as a structural beam to help withstand the force.

Here, you are also getting an aluminium honeycomb-like structure, with high-strength panels on the upper and lower sides of the pack, which in turn greatly improves the rigidity in the vertical direction as well.

Overall, it is this revolutionary design that gives you an optimised strength to the Blade Battery.

This also gives you, in turn, a longer range, as well, as the space utilisation of the Blade Battery has been increased by over 50% compared with the traditional battery packs - which provides you with an improved energy density and a longer range.

The longer lifecycle Blade Battery also has a long battery life with over 5000 charge and discharge cycles tested for as well - giving you a battery that has been built to last the distance.

Thanks to the instant torque delivery of the electric motor, the Atto 3 feels lively and responsive as well, especially from a standstill.

For instance, the official 0-62mph acceleration time is a brisk 7.3 seconds, which is quick enough to feel fast enough when merging onto motorways or pulling away from traffic lights.

The car's top speed is electronically limited to 99mph.

The driving experience in the Atto 3 is also overwhelmingly biased towards comfort here, we must note.

For instance, the suspension is very soft, which allows it to soak up bumps and poor road surfaces around town exceptionally well - making for a very relaxing ride.

This focus makes it perfect for parking and city driving as well, and the brakes are strong and effective, too, but the pedal can feel a little spongy at times, we should note - but not a deal breaker at all.

Ultimately, it’s an easy, safe, and predictable car to drive, but those looking for a sporty feel should look elsewhere - such as with the BYD Seal, which is designed more that purpose.

For your engine and battery stats, here you have:

• Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Lane Change Collision Warning
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
• Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
• Intelligent Speed Limit Information
• 360-degree Panoramic Camera
• Front and Rear Parking Sensors
• Driver Fatigue Monitoring
• 7 Airbags (including a central front airbag)
• ISOFIX Child Seat Anchors (Front & Rear)
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Electric Parking Brake with Autohold

The maintenance schedules from BYD are also set for every 24 months or 20,000 miles, whichever comes first, which is less frequent than some electric rivals, which will also help to keep your costs down here further as a result.

Then, in terms of insurance, the BYD Atto 3 falls into insurance group 38, which places it in a similar bracket to many key competitors in the family electric SUV class - meaning your insurance premiums should be comparable and shouldn't give you any unexpected shocks for prospective buyers here either.

As a relatively new brand to the UK market, long-term reliability data for the BYD Atto 3 is still emerging.

However, early owner feedback and experiences from markets where BYD has a longer presence are generally positive, and the company's vertically integrated manufacturing process, which includes producing its own innovative 'Blade' batteries, allows for tight quality control and build quality as well.