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

Join us as we pay tribute to the BYD ATTO 3, the model that opened the door for BYD's UK rise

The BYD ATTO 3 was the brand's debut car in the UK, and it laid the groundwork for BYD's rapid rise.

BYD itself is no overnight success story. Founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, it now builds its own cars, batteries, and motors in-house, giving it a genuine head start over plenty of newer names entering the UK market.

They soon became a staple on UK roads, eventually overtaking Tesla in UK monthly sales.

The ATTO 3 has since been discontinued, but the ATTO 3 EVO continues its legacy.

For the family buyers who backed it early, though, this was never about being the flashiest choice. It was about a proven, sensibly priced SUV that did exactly what was asked of it.

So how does the car that started it all hold up, looking back on it now?

Let's find out.

What we drove

Model: BYD ATTO 3 Design 60kWh

Body style: SUV

Power: Electric (201hp / 150kW)

Battery: 60.4kWh

Range: Up to 261 miles (WLTP Comb)

Acceleration: 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds

Colour: Parkour Red

Wheels: 18-inch

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Quietly confident, inside and out

The BYD ATTO 3 had a safe, conservative style. It didn't stand out from the crowd, at least not from the outside.

Long, sweeping headlights and a full-width rear light bar gave it a look not unlike the CUPRA Born.

Around the back, "Build Your Dreams" was written across the boot, a nod to what BYD stands for.

The 18-inch alloys were sensible rather than showy, but together it all made for a practical family SUV, exactly the kind of dependable, no-nonsense choice that suited buyers who wanted substance over statement.

Take a look at the ATTO 3 EVO and it's nearly identical. Just a few details have been tidied up: The bumpers, a side crease, and roof spoiler brake lights.

A cabin with genuine character

Once you stepped  inside, the ATTO 3 was playful and full of character.

The air vents were dumbbell-styled, and the door pockets had guitar strings; a little gimmicky, but great fun for the kids.

Vegan leather was used throughout, which felt properly premium, especially at this price point.

The dashboard was dominated by either a 12.8-inch or 15.6-inch touchscreen (depending on trim) that could rotate between portrait and landscape.

There was plenty of space throughout, and the flat rear floor helped with legroom for passengers, a genuine plus for family journeys with growing kids in tow.

In the back, the space continued: 440 litres with the seats up, 1,338 litres with the rear seats down.

The BYD ATTO 3 EVO takes the rotating ability away from the infotainment screen, instead opting for a fixed 15.6-inch screen with built-in Google Maps.

Comfort over thrills

Put your foot down and the ATTO 3 was smooth, fuss-free, and comfortable, with softer suspension geared towards town and family life.

It had responsive steering, which made tight streets and lanes a breeze.

It wasn't the most powerful car out there, but it made an ideal family car, and for buyers weighing up a monthly budget over outright performance, that trade-off made sense.

With 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds, it wasn't groundbreaking or pin-you-in-your-seat acceleration, but it was plenty for family life.

There was some body roll through corners, but this was a trade-off for that comfort-focused setup.

The gear selector followed the quirky feel of the cabin, styled to resemble an airplane throttle.

The ATTO 3 EVO switched the power up with up to 443bhp in the Excellence trim, but this has reportedly led to a less comfort-focused feel, with vague steering and an unsettled ride.

Charged up for daily life

The BYD ATTO 3 had enough range for most weekly driving, with up to 261 miles (WLTP Comb).

Real-world range was closer to 200 miles, meaning you might have needed to charge once or twice depending on the week ahead; a sensible enough compromise for the school run and weekly shop rather than regular long-haul trips.

The 110kW DC charging could take it from 10-80% in 35 minutes.

It also came with vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which was genuinely useful in an emergency, or even when camping.

A heat pump came as standard too, helping preserve range a little more in winter.

The ATTO 3 EVO increased the battery to 74.8kWh, pushing range up to 316 miles (WLTP Comb) and DC charging to 220kW, meaning you can now go from 10-80% in just 25 minutes.

Safety and warranties

Safety was never an afterthought on the BYD ATTO 3, and the numbers backed that up.

It achieved a full five-star Euro NCAP rating back in 2022, with scores that held up well against rivals at the time:

• Adult occupant protection: 91%
• Child occupant protection: 89%
• Vulnerable road users: 69%
• Safety assist: 74%

That adult protection score  sat right at the top end of its class, and the numbers gave real confidence for family use.

Standard equipment was generous too, with no expensive option packs needed to get the full suite:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assistance
• Blind spot detection
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Forward collision warning
• Traffic sign recognition
• 360-degree camera system
• Front and rear parking sensors

The rear cross traffic alert deserved a special mention.

It used radar to spot approaching vehicles when reversing out of a space, and if the driver didn't react in time, it would apply the brakes automatically.

A genuinely handy feature for busy car parks.

On warranty, BYD backed the ATTO 3 with:

• Basic coverage: Six years, 93,750 miles
• Drive unit: Eight years, 93,750 miles
• Power battery: Eight years, 155,350 miles (State of Health 70%)
• Bodywork anti-corrosion: 12 years, unlimited mileage

And here's the reassuring part: This warranty carries over identically to the ATTO 3 EVO.

What's good, and what's not

The good bits:

• Distinctive, playful interior
• Comprehensive standard equipment, no costly option packs
• Strong build quality for the price
• Standard heat pump
• V2L bi-directional charging
• Five-star Euro NCAP rating

The not-so-good bits:

• Real-world range fell short of newer rivals
• Conservative, easily-forgotten exterior design
• Rotating screen felt more gimmick than genuinely useful
• Some wind noise at speed
• Pricing became less competitive as the market moved on

What's the verdict?

The ATTO 3 started the revolution that is BYD, and for that, we love it.

It was solid, comfortable, and characterful, but ultimately overtaken by newer, cheaper, longer-range rivals like the Kia EV3 and SKODA Elroq.

For the families who bought one, though, it delivered exactly what mattered most: A dependable, well-equipped SUV that made financial sense without asking anyone to compromise on comfort or safety. That's not a small thing to get right, and it's precisely why it earned such loyalty from budget-conscious, considered buyers.

Its job was proving BYD could succeed in the UK, and on that front, mission accomplished.

It's now succeeded by the ATTO 3 EVO, which brings a bigger battery, faster charging, and a much more grown-up interior to the table, carrying that same family-first thinking forward.

Five reasons the BYD ATTO 3 earned its place:

1. A genuinely distinctive, characterful interior that punched above its price point
2. Comprehensive safety kit and a five-star Euro NCAP rating, no options list required
3. A warranty that still holds firm today, even on used examples
4. Practical, family-friendly space with a properly useful boot
5. Proved BYD could build a car worth taking seriously in the UK, paving the way for everything that followed

Would we recommend leasing a BYD ATTO 3 EVO?

Absolutely. The original ATTO 3 has done its job and done it well, but it's no longer available to lease new.

The good news is that everything that made it a smart choice for considered, budget-conscious families lives on in the ATTO 3 EVO, and then some.

A bigger battery, faster charging, and a more grown-up cabin mean the EVO picks up exactly where the ATTO 3 left off, without losing sight of what made it appealing in the first place.