BYD ATTO 3 review: The new electric SUV gunning for the UK market

BYD make a splash into the UK market with the family-friendly ATTO 3

BYD, or Build Your Dreams, are the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and they’ve set their sights firmly on the UK market.

Producing over 1.8 million EVs throughout 2022, they are the leading Chinese EV manufacturer and their first venture into the UK comes in the form of the ATTO 3.

A practical and spacious family SUV that rivals the likes of the Kia Niro Electric and Volkswagen ID.4 and they’re hoping to be the next generation of electric mobility.

We’ve been out testing this top-of-the-range Design spec ATTO 3 to see how the latest electric SUV to land in the UK stands up against some tough competition.

What did we drive?

Model: 150kW Design 60kWh 5dr Auto

Transmission: Automatic

Power: Electric (201HP)

Colour: Parkour Red

Wheels: 18inch

OTR: from £36,490*

Price of model driven: £38,990*

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Price

Prices for the BYD ATTO 3 start from £36,490 for the entry-level Active trim.

There’s a small jump to £36,990 if you would like to explore the mid-range Comfort trim level, but if you’ve got your heart set on the range-topping Design option, you’ll have to pay £38,990.*

The Active and Comfort trims represent great value for money, with very little separating the specifications. Both come packed with great kit, including wireless charging, a 12.8" rotating screen, voice control and a host of safety assistance technologies.

Compared to some of its rivals, the Active and Comfort trims are more affordable than something like the Kia Niro Electric (starts from £37,295). However, the Hyundai Kona Electric could oust both, with prices starting from £32,450.

If you’re searching for a more cost-effective financing method, a BYD ATTO 3 lease deal allows you to spread that cost with affordable monthly payments, on terms designed around you.

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Batteries, electric range & charging

BYD have kept things nice and simple in the ATTO 3 line-up. Not only is there very little visual changes between the three trim levels, they’re all powered by the same battery. And it’s here where things get interesting.

The ATTO 3 is powered by a 60kWh battery and has a claimed range of 260 miles.

BYD’s Blade Battery technology is a market leader and is even used in some Tesla Model Y cars.

It can be charged at a capacity of 88kW. If you can find yourself a 150kW public rapid charger, you’ll go from 30 to 80% in just 29 minutes.

In your more typical 11kW charger, going from 0-100% will take six and half hours.

When choosing your ATTO 3 specification, it’s important to note that the entry-level Active trim is limited to an on-board 7kW charger. Only Comfort and Design can support 11kW charging.

Drive

In keeping with its family-friendly feel, the ATTO 3 drives just as you would hope a family car does.

On the move, it’s smooth to drive, has agile enough steering to help around urban environments and has more than enough support for driver and passenger alike.

It’s not the quickest electric SUV you’ll ever drive, especially compared to rivals like the Niro Electric, which felt nimbler during our review. Powered by a 150kW motor, it’ll take 7.3 seconds to get up to 62mph.

Behind the wheel you’re afforded fantastic visibility ahead. Rear visibility is hindered somewhat by the sloping roofline, but it is better than what you’ll find in more premium competitors like the Tesla Model Y.

The pedestrian warning noise when you’re moving away at lower speeds can be a little overwhelming at first, but it soon fades into the background.

Once you reach higher motorway speeds, there is some noticeable wind noise through the front of the cabin, but that isn’t uncommon for an electric vehicle of this size due to the lack of an engine under the bonnet.

The centre console features an airplane-like gear selector and on face value it might look gimmicky, but it’s surprisingly nice to use. It fits the palm of your hand nicely and feels very natural to switch between the relevant modes.

I guess there’s a reason they use these in airplanes, right?

Design & interior

From the exterior, the BYD Atto 3 may look, or at least feel a little familiar. The design feels right at home within the wider UK and European market.

From the front, the long headlights are reminiscent of an older Kia Sportage. Moving around to the side, it shares similarities with the Volkswagen ID.4 in its styling, while at the rear there are shades of the CUPRA Born using the long, narrow headlights that span across the width of the body.

Lower down, 18inch wheels come as standard and are the only option available throughout the range.

As a package, the ATTO 3 looks very smart and traditional. In a competitive SUV market, I don’t think it’ll struggle to settle in. It doesn’t command attention in the same way something like the Niro Electric does, but its smart design choices could play into BYD’s hands as they enter a new market.

They could’ve followed the likes of GWM with the ORA 3 or even Hyundai with Ioniq 5, releasing a bold and brash design to disrupt the market.

However, the ATTO 3 already looks at home in the UK and for that reason, I can envisage this being a popular choice in the SUV sector.

For all the safe and refined exterior design, the interior is far more exuberant. BYD describe the interior as playful and vibrant. And they’re not wrong. All the character comes from the interior, which is a nice contrast from the outside of the vehicle.

The quality of the materials used throughout the cabin do give the interior more of a premium feel. The steering wheel feels robust, and the quality of the buttons are more than good enough for this sector.

Everything is well within reach of the driving position and the addition of the sunroof does a fantastic job of opening up what is already a bright and spacious cabin.

The design choice to try and replicate guitar strings on the door bins is unique to say the least. They’re strangely addictive too, you can’t help but prong along! I do wonder if they’ll be as popular with all the mums and dads driving, though…

Space & practicality

One of the ATTO 3’s biggest strengths must be its practical nature.

It’s not class leading, but the cabin feels very spacious, inviting and comfortable. It’s a lovely place to sit, with vegan leather seats.

This is emphasised by the sunroof, and as a family vehicle, your rear passengers aren’t going to be uncomfortable.

The head and legroom in the rear is good. Taller passengers above six foot might be impacted by the sloping roofline, however.

There are plenty of storage options dotted around the cabin, including good size door bins and glove box, as well as a deep armrest compartment.

The boot space is 440 litres, which on face value is adequate for this sector. However, there is a great amount of underfloor storage that you can utilise in a multitude of different ways.

The space rises to 1338L with the rear seats folded down. Compared to its rivals, the Niro Electric’s boot is marginally bigger at 475L, but it is over 100L bigger than the Kona Electric. If you do need more, the Skoda Enyaq iV and Tesla Model Y remain class leaders in this area.

There are also ISOFIX points on the front passenger seat for added convenience.

Technology

One of the stars of the show in the interior is the 15.6" electric rotary touchscreen, which is only available on the top Design trim.

It’s reminiscent of the screen available in the Ford Mustang Mach-e and the ability to switch between portrait and landscape is a real party trick.

Not only does it look great, but it allows different drivers to pick the style that suits their preference. The functionality of the screen doesn’t change much between the two styles, so it leaves you to decide which you prefer.

For as much as the big screen is helpful, it does look a touch odd positioned next to what is comparatively a tiny driver’s instrument panel.

It’s around the same size as the display you’ll see in a CUPRA Born and there’s no major faults with the display, it has to be said. It gives you all the information you’ll require, but the disparity in sizes looks odd. 

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available as standard. While there’s also wireless charging, a 12V socket, USB and USB C in the front and rear. Over the air updates will ensure this is a system that consistently evolves throughout your car lease.

Safety

The BYD ATTO 3 is one of the safest new electric SUVs and its Euro NCAP safety scores back that up.

During its testing, it scored five stars, with a 91% adult occupant score and an 89% child occupant score.

It’s packed with many driver assistance technologies as standard, including Intelligent Cruise Control, front and rear collision warning and a high-quality reversing camera that is up there with the very best in class.

With the ability to view the car in 3D and in transparent mode, manoeuvring the ATTO 3 will be a piece of cake.

Model lines & equipment

There are no major visual changes between the three specification levels, but there are key differences when it comes to interior technology and charging capabilities.

Such is the quality of the Active kit list, the only major between that and Comfort is the 11kW on-board charging.

Outlined below are some of the key highlights that differentiate the three specifications.*

Active

• Monochrome ambient lighting doorknob
• PM2.5 air filter
• 12.8" electric rotary touchscreen
• 7kW on-board charger
• Keyless entry & keyless start
• Heat pump
• Vehicle To Load
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) & Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)

Comfort

(In addition to/replacement of Active)

• 11kW on-board charger

Design

(In addition to/replacement of Comfort)

• Electric tailgate
• Rhythm-reactive multi-colour ambient lighting doorknob
• PM2.5 air purification system
• 15.6" electric rotary touchscreen

*Specification correct at the time of publication. Subject to availability, Active trim may not be available in some areas. 

Verdict

The ATTO 3 is a fantastic first step into the UK market for BYD. The Chinese manufacturer are promising big things, with an emerging line up poised to take the UK’s electric car sector by storm.

Up against some rather stiff competition, the ATTO 3 does provide a compelling alternative to some of the more well-known options.

It offers bags of character and fun for all the family, in an efficient and practical SUV. The quirky interior will light up every drive and the composed nature of the ATTO 3 makes it versatile and reliable for every occasion. 

As first impressions go, we’re sure this isn’t going to be to be the last you see of BYD on these shores. With more vehicles poised to hit the market later this year, we're confident you will not be short of options if you're interested in a BYD lease deal.