We recently had our first drive of the little known but revolutionary electric vehicle named the BYD Atto 3, which has emerged from the bustling heart of China's automotive industry. It may be a newcomer to roads of Scotland and the UK in general, but the company has actually been around since 1995 and is one of the bestselling brands in China.
BYD stands for Build Your Dreams which is quite a long badge on the back of a C segment crossover SUV. The Atto 3 is a smart, sleek and compact car, perfectly suited for urban living. Its design is elegant, with clean lines and a panoramic sunroof that allows natural light to flood the interior. On the inside, it is very modern and original with a gym-themed design which had to be explained to us! It is surprisingly spacious front and back and the seats are very comfortable.
The car’s infotainment system housed in a large touchscreen which rotates at the touch of a button, is state of the art and will keep the kids entertained with educational videos and games during the charging process which takes just about an hour.
We thought the drive was quite impressive too, powered by an advanced lithium iron phosphate battery, it glided smoothly through the city streets, creating a serene environment that allows for family conversations at higher speeds. It also offers impressive range and energy efficiency. We didn’t quite get the 260 miles predicted, but during our time with the Atto, we did have the heater blasting, wipers thrashing at double speed and the radio blaring for most of the time.
BYD says the Atto 3 is not just a car, but a symbol of their commitment to a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world. In addition to the Atto, coming soon is the Dolphin, a family hatchback and a smart saloon called the Seal with several more in the planning stage.
Atto 3 comes with a choice of three trims, and even the entry level has electric front seats, panoramic roof and LED headlights as standard.
Like other EV’s the Atto 3 has quite a hefty price-tag starting at £38,990.
Ally says: “BYD is the only manufacturer to make all the key components of an electric car, so it is not dependant on others, very clever. Loved the drive and its quirkiness.”
Lorraine says: “There was some cruel chat describing the Atto 3 as a Chinese milk-float, however once driven, even on a short journey, those minds have been well and truly changed. The Atto and indeed BYD will no doubt be seen in great volume on our roads in years to come.”
