BYD ATTO 3 DRIVEN: new contender or novelty? We deliver the surprise verdict / Electrifying
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- Опубліковано 11 чер 2024
- #bydatto3 #byd #electriccars
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The electric car revolution is already shaking up the automotive business. Tesla has proved that a small manufacturer with no history of making cars can catapult itself to the top of the sales charts. The latest name to join the fray is BYD - a Chinese electric brand that has enjoyed huge success in its domestic market, comfortably outselling all its rivals - Tesla included.
BYD’s first foray into the booming UK electric market is the Atto 3, a mid-size premium SUV that will go head-to-head with the likes of the new Hyundai Kona, Kia Niro EV and Škoda Enyaq.
The Atto introduces the brand’s acclaimed ‘blade’ battery technology to the UK for the first time. The 60.5kWh pack uses Lithium Iron-Phosphate (LFP) as its cathode material, which, according to BYD, offers a much higher level of safety than conventional lithium-ion batteries. The pack is also cobalt-free and comes with a new integrated heat pump as standard on all models. BYD claims that the pump delivers the industry’s first direct cooling and heating system, which has the potential to increase the thermal efficiency by up to 20% in the winter. Vehicle to Load (V2L) is also fitted as standard to all models from launch.
In terms of range, the Atto 3 comes with a modest 260 mile WLTP range, which is likely to deliver around 210-220 miles of real world range. Disappointingly, the Atto 3 only offers 87kW rapid charging capability. Although BYD claims that a 10-80% charge can be achieved in 44 minutes on a 150KW rapid charger, the Atto 3’s sector rivals (with the exception of the Kia Niro EV) offer significantly higher speeds with both the Škoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.4 both coming with 135kW charging systems as standard.
Join Tom as he takes a deep dive into the Atto 3 on UK roads for the first time. Is the BYD Atto 3 on your shortlist? Would you consider buying from an unknown brand like BYD? Let us know in the comments below.
BYD Atto 3 - from £36,490 - £38,990
201bhp, 310Nm of torque
Front wheel drive, 1-spd
7.3 seconds 0-62mph, 99mph top speed
60.5kWh battery (useable), 261 miles range WLTP
88kw DC, 7.4kw AC (optional 11kw), 44 min fast DC, 66min 50kW
9hr 45 mins on home wallbox
Weight: 1,750kg
Boot: 440-litres/ 1,338 seats folded (No frunk)
Tow: no
Standard heatpump
Vehicle-to-load 3.3kW AC
Five star EuroNcap
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I own one of these, (in Australia). I have had it since October and am very happy with it. Australia doesn't get the full range of EVs the UK gets (no VW, Opel, Renault or Peugeot etc), and I needed a car big enough to take a Great Dane in the boot and 4 adults. This limited my choices as the only (relatively) affordable options were the BYD Atto 3 or the Tesla Model Y.
In Australia the Tesla Model Y was at the time $30,000AUD more expensive than the Atto 3 (which was $47,000AUD when I bought it (about 25,000UKP)) so obviously BYD (or the distributor are marking the Atto 3 up a lot in the UK).
What Tom said about the steering is true if you leave it in Comfort mode, if you change that mode to sport mode it's a lot more direct.
Performance wise, I have put a VBOX on the car and measured the Acceleration from 0 to 110kmh (62mph) at 7.3 seconds and have seen it hit 6.8 seconds occasionally (if the battery is at above 95% it will overdrive the motor a little giving 167kw instead of 150kw, but you have to engage drag mode to get this)).
Efficiency is bang on, and I regularly get below 15kwh per 100km and that is with AC running all the time as temps where I live average 32 degrees C even in Winter.
Build quality is good, and comfort is high. Storage space could be better, and I am looking at getting a drop in module for under the bonnet to give me a reasonable frunk to store all the cables etc (it's just empty space in there).
I did a lot of research prior to buying as I had one of the very first export cars, and BYD is vertically integrated and probably the world's second largest EV manufacturer.
Note: I did test drive a MG ZS EV, and it was smaller slower, and just felt like a generation behind the BYD in every way.
Thanks for this very detailed comment, now I've seen two reviews for the price of one! Hope you enjoy your car
I own two BYD Atto 3 60kWh here in New Zealand that my family drives. They have been excellent so far and are very efficient. We can get over 400km under most conditions and it charges on a fast DC charger at up to 89kW. The interior is funky but very practical. Reliability is excellent. Most importantly, it will do over-the-air software updates similar to my Tesla. Most other EV manufacturers cannot make this work yet.
Yup, car brands have been ripping us off in the UK for decades 😕
The price gap is closer to AUD23k now with a TY $72k and Atto3 $52k minus a $3k rebate in Queensland. I use a 7"6" surfboard which pokes through to the armrest of my Mazda CX5. I wonder whethter it would poke to far toward thye windscreen in the Atto 3.
Well it sounds like they may have built a car that can do the job at a fair price , its always good to hear what an owner has to say. 0 to 110 in 7.3 is just fine , reading what you say about the car you sound very happy, I remember when you would never look at a Honda or Hyundai now look at what they are building . Thanks for the input.
Hi another Australian with an Atto 3. A few things to mention after watching your review. On Aussie and Kiwi models towing is possible @ 750 kg braked with factory tow bar available also 50 kg loading on the factory roof racks. Build quality excellent, ride quality bias towards comfort which is great for our predominantly poor quality road surfaces, most regional charging infrastructure in Australia still depends on 50 kWh DC charging so 80 kWh max rate charging no real disadvantage yet. Steering is mode dependent you can sharpen both steering and braking responses in vehicles settings you can turn off most of the annoying beeps in vehicle settings and finally regen is similar to first Gen Nissan Leaf’s where the brake pedal is used to initiate more regen as you press harder prior to switching to friction brakes. I got the extended range with 60 kWh usable LFP battery easier on the planet and potentially easier to recycle and apparently LFP batteries tolerate heavier charging cycles for longer than ternary batteries put it on road for under 50 K Aus$ poor man’s model Y 😂
All those UA-cam reviewers tend to focus too much on handling and acceleration because that’s what review suppose to do I guess, but in reality for the 99% people buying and driving this suv none of those factors matter - if it handles bit loose or accelerates 2 sec slower for their intended use…it’s a family suv that will be used for cities and family trips. What truly matters in those EVs is the battery and their reliability / quality, that’s where byd and tesla truly shines, no one else can match them. And that’s what’s important.
Totally agree. I have an Atto 3. Wheen is accelerates there is a slight pause then it get faster. I think this is to stop the wheels spinning to much. Reviews don't relise this and want every EV to be a sports car lol. He is also wrong about the 0 to 62, it does it in 7.3 or faster
I would say any non LFP battery EVs are there to fool the masses with pretty acceleration numbers but they will regret it when they found out how fast their battery degrades or they can’t charge past 80%. Again no mention of it in this review. This review is rubbish.
@@kirakira1981 we don’t know how long those blade batteries will last yet! There are a number of original Hyundai Ioniqs with over 200,000km and the owners reporting no range loss yet so there seems to be quite a bit of variation even within the same/similar chemistry.
@@robmccaw9956 BYD taxis are a thing, and some of them hit 1,000,000 kms already @ 20% battery capacity loss.
@@xarifa777 Most cars travel at 10,000 - 15,000 km a year. To get to 1 million km, you'll need to drive it for about 75-100 years...
People think that BYD regenerative braking is not good. I can only say that you are rookies in EVs. BYD is the only car that can achieve heavy regenerative braking without strong drag, because one of the purposes of BYD's car manufacturing is to let people The seamless connection between ICE and EV, the drag feeling generated by regenerative braking will make many people motion sick, but BYD has solved this problem, and after professional testing, BYD's kinetic energy recovery is very good, which is a huge technological progress.
It didn’t really make sense to me until I realised the friction brakes don’t apply until you are almost stopped. Braking during regular driving is done almost exclusively with regen braking, it’s just not regenerating when you’re not on the brakes.
You are spot on. It is very efficient without making you sick.
BYD produce not only EVs but also the gasoline ones unlike Tesla, so they know what the consumers need during this feul-eletronic transition period.
No it had been some time since BYD stop produce ICE, more than 1 year I think, now they only produce BEV+HEV. @@cheungchingtong
I also am in Australia and had an Atto 3 for six months.
What appealed to me was it seems an easy transition from an ice car.
It is high enough to get in and out of easily (my legs are not so good)
On the open road on Australia at 110 km/hr whit the air conditioning and all the driver assist functions on you will get about 300 km of range 20 kw per 100 km with gentle driving around town you will get more like 450 km range there are several BYD facebook groups based in Australia and NZ.
The weather played a very large role in efficiency i guess. I drive ioniq 5 and highway driving is around 14-16kWh/100km. City driving 11-13kW/100km. My accumulated average efficiency is 13.1kW/100k after 30k KM. I live in south east asia and the noon weather can reach 38c at times all year round
And explain to me how it seems like a useful thing for your children's future, to promote products designed and engineered by a genocidal communist regime? A regime that wants to impose authoritarianism around the globe?
That's terrible range for Australia.
@@mharro88 And yet the average passenger vehicle travelled in Australia is 12,607 kilometres a year or 34.5 kilometres a day.
@@mharro88 It depends where in Australia you are. I live in FNQ and it is hot 365 days a year, so AC is on all the time. That eats 1 to 2 kwh of battery power. All EVs use about this much energy to cool the car (Heat pump or regular AC), heat pumps only make a difference when they are heating the car. Most EVs use nothing more sophisticated than a glorified hair dryer to heat the car, hence the inefficiency. The Atto 3 is one of the few cars to use a Heat Pump.
Hi mate. Yet another Aussie Atto 3 owner here. We've had ours since September last year and absolutely astonished at how good it is. Yes, it's not perfect but overall, a really nice, comfortable car that has worked out really well as our first EV. I agree about the interior but it does sort of grow on you. I sat in the new (here) MG4 over the weekend and thought hold horribly bland it was compared to the BYD. By the way, the BUILD YOUR DREAMS can be very easily removed as we've done and it looks much better for it. I just junked the standard budget tyres that it comes with here and fitted Continentals and the driving experience is a whole lot better. Overall, love it.
Can you please inform us when it catches fire so I can see how long it lasts.
Hi Lucien. I live in Sydney and have just ordered the Atto 3. What steps did you take to take the Build Your Dreams logo from the back? Is there a video or process you used in particular? I also want to take if off. Cheers, Ian
@@veryveryexpert4255 Your ignorance of the battery technology is overwhelming. Do some research instead of trolling.
@@iandavidson6024 A bit of dental floss or fine fishing line and just saw throught the backing of the letters then clean up the excess with your fingers and finally use a cleaner to remove the residue like orange cleaner or detergent. No damage to the paint at all...
Ive had my Atto 3 (top spec as its the only option in NZ) for 5 months now. Love it. Love the build quality, love the quirky interior, and loving the driving comfort. The value for money is huge here, but looks like the UK isnt getting that sort of value price based on what your prices are. Looking to ditch my second ICE for the Dolphin once its here in NZ
As far as I know, BYD is not only the second largest EV producer in the world, it's also the second largest EV battery maker in the world, only next to CATL.
They won't be passing CATL anytime soon, but will likely pass Tesla as the largest BEV maker by volume either this year or next year.
@@tren133 depends how many Seagull they will sell... I expect sells of @10k Seagull to ''blow up'' in China and ASEAN.
CATL's market share has seen a decline accompanied by an increase in sales of BYD vehicles.
I have owned one of these in Australia also since October and also am very happy with it, as hartoz said you can change the steering sensitivity in set up and also things like brake feel. It was said on the review that you can't tow a trailer with it however in Australia I understand its braked trailer capacity is 750kg and 50kg allowed on the roof rails, not sure about the UK specs.
I actually really like that. And hooray, an EV with a rear wiper. Finally!
Yes as opposed to MG4 !
@@Peoplestariff And E-C4, Polestar 2 etc etc etc. My pet hate is no rear wiper.
Nissan leaf has it too.
I am in Australia. This is the second cheapest EV in Australia - it is MUCH cheaper than everything except the MGZS - it is excellent in the price point. I have ordered one. And - it CAN tow. It is limited to 750 kilos, which is the weight of my trailer. It can’t tow a caravan or boat, but it can tow and a specific towbar at has been developed here for it. The review was interesting but appears to be comparing it to much more expensive cars, most of which are not available in Australia. It will sell really well here.
I just got one in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 and I am loving it every moment. Best value of my money
How much did it cost you to purchase in the Netherlands?
@@hartoz €45000. Design version.
@@Batman.3.8 18000usd in china
Very impressed about the battery not using the usual rare earth material
No batteries have rare earth materials.
And LiFePo4 is a lithium ion battery.
@@waynerussell6401 I think Cobalt was being referred, not really rare earth but has human rights issues.
you need read more, LFP is much more safe and long-last than NCM battery, esp BYD invented blade battery, they are so good even Tesla bought that ! Do you know that?
It is very similar to the MG ZS EV but its software is actually quite good, nice and fast.
The cheaper Dolphin hatchback is on the same platform and it starts being as expensive as a corolla hybrid.
The Seal appears to be the one where they finally improve the driving dynamics which is gunning straight at the Tesla Model 3
Awaiting delivery of our Atto 3. Far superior in ride and comfort compared to any other BEV in its price range, and pretty much any ICE vehicle in this price range. The main thing we like is the interior, this is what really convinced us to buy, and the full on safety tech this vehicle comes with as standard is an absolute bonus.
Every other car in this range is simply boring black or charcoal.
We have ramped up our solar system to charge this car. So for every day commute, charging is all free.
Is the Atto 3 perfect, of course not, but at this price point, it has far superior tech, safety and comfort than the rest.
The battery tech really interests me, I lost about 60% of the range on my e-Niro this winter (was -20°C and windy), so this tech could actually be useful here.
LFP tend to do worse in cold weather, so test this car in that temperature range
@@gregb1599 You are saying the opposite. LFP has better temperature range than NMC.
@Nagakiran KR Not in the cold
@@gregb1599 not true
@Driver And yet every true battery battery expert and not a keyboard expert disagrees with you! Some manufacturers can lesson the effects by warming the battery, but at the end of the day it's not the so called "perfect" battery
I think cold countries like UK will soon appreciate the BYD LFP based cars. Also the reviewer seems to be underplaying the double the battery life these blade cells have when compared to their previously fav e-Niro. I think when it comes to EVs planning longer ownership is the key, which many people seems to be ignoring. Longer you keep an EV, better it will workout. And V2L was not mentioned for those camping trips or augmenting your solar with an Atto 3 as a battery on wheels.
The vents are not fake.look through the wheel well you’ll see holes that cool the brakes. I am driving the Atto3 on the Uber platform and there’s not a better car(or spaceship) as my son says on the road and I’ve been driving over fifty years.
It actually looks quite stylish, without appearing outrageous. As with any unknown brands, quality is usually the first consideration. It's worth noting Octopus Energy have just signed a deal with BYD to sell/lease these cars in the UK. It'll be interesting to see how it goes.
I love the look, there are so many bland interiors and this is like a breath of fresh air. Can't wait for a test drive.
Wouldn't life be boring if we all liked the same cars🤪
I have one. The interior is good and the door handles feel so natural when you get used to them
Sat in it yesterday it’s less confronting than it is in the videos. It’s a nice place to be.
@@rickybryan1759 Did you see it in the UK?
@@potter2702 a you tube channel that is not this one has a big event in Aust yesterday I sat in it there
@@rickybryan1759 Is the FCS as good as it looks?
hello mate, nice video, I am an owner of BYD atto 4 (the sedan version) in China, where BYD has dominated the market not only evs but also traditional car makers and leaves those legacy car makers and Tesla in the dust. Considering that China is the biggest automobile market with very fierce competition, I think there must be some reasons why BYD can stand out from the crowd. I guess it is how good BYD is at the battery and electric engine. We buy it because we think that in terms of electric technology it is way better than those legacy car manufacturers and maybe only next to or even at the parity with Tesla, though it is nothing more than market perception, it explains why almost 40% of evs and 7 out 10 most popular new energy cars in China are from BYD. and why it outsells Tesla, this is very simple it is cheaper and has larger product range. 😂
You say you actually own an Atto4 (BYD Seal in western markets)???
I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on this car. We will have them in Ireland before the end of this year and I would love to hear some ownership experience instead of the usual UA-cam marketing videos.
@@06younger well i think it is a fairly good sedan, with a camry size and nice and comfortable setting, but as a sports car, despite its looks, it is not as good as model 3, if you ask me. the best part of Seal is its battery techonology. i enquired about this car's technology with a guy working for BYD, he said the battery is the best part, the e motor is slighly less advanced than Model 3, but you can't peceive the difference, and he admitted that Tesla still has the best electric control technology. Generally i think you can consider it if it is way cheaper than model 3, otherwise just choose model 3.
@@caregood2224 thanks for the detailed reply.
I can't ever see myself paying money to a company that Elon Musk is connected to. Doesn't matter how good or bad they are compared to the competition. 👍
I like the fact they went a different route for the interior, one thing I love most about Chinese market cars is they like coloured interior surfaces as opposed to European white or black, and I'm glad at least a couple cars are bringing that over (at least this and the Ora Cat). I just wish it didn't look like a stock photo of an unbranded car on the outside, and it should just say BYD instead of Build Your Dreams on the back.
As suggested by the commentator below, your UK distributor must have a different view to its entitlement to margin compared to New Zealand and Australia. Here in NZ the Atto 3 has a retail price of NZ$52,990 (about GBP26,585) for the Standard Range and NZ$57,990 (GBP29,094) for the Extended Range. Both have the same trim here which is the equivalent to your top spec model. I have driven a few hundred km in two examples and was very impressed at what you get for the money. Clearly others think the same as the Atto 3 was the top selling EV in NZ in February.
UK import taxes and duty, account for the price difference. Here in Thailand, with trade agreements in place, Chinese vehicles are considerably cheaper than anywhere outside of mainland China.
I think the difference is that BYD are selling the Atto3 in the UK through existing dealer franchises. Everybody needs to take a cut of the pie.
@@phuketexplorer They might get even cheaper in a few years when that BYD factory is up and running in Thailand.
Stylistically it's a lot more cohesive than most EVs, particularly the gopping MG4.
I don't think that the MG 4 is that bad. Granted, the interior is fairly meh (especially in the all-black that is the only choice in the UK), but the 4 at least has real buttons which include 2 programable ones. And then there's the price. Nearly 10 grand more for the BYD? I know that the interior is a bit mad, but I reckon you's have to BE completely mad to prefer the ATTO 3 over much of the competition.
@@davidcolin6519 I agree as to the MG being the better overall choice, I just feel that the styling is 'mishy mashy' it detracts from the car. A bit from this model, a slice of that manufacturer, this bit from there...etc. I'm not against MG or EVs one bit, I just don't think that anyone (possibly Honda aside) has come up with a genuinely good looking one yet.
@@jamesprince4991 yeah but the MG is a much smaller car, and the Honda looks great but fails to deliver in just about every other Department.
Boring is the word you're looking for! It looks the same as all the others.
@@phuketexplorer.
That's my feeling.
At least the MG 4 has RWD. I know that the interior of the 4 is pretty boring inside, but how many at this price point aren't. But all the rest are FWD until you get up to things like the Ioniq 5, which are a good €15K more than the 4, admittedly, the base Ioniq isn't actually that much more than the ATTO 3, and I would willingly swap the small extra range of the BYD for the much better and larger interior of the Hyundai.
I test drove one of these a few months ago in Aotearoa New Zealand.
I have a classic Ioniq with paddle regen and really hated the lack of any regenerative braking in the Atto 3;
but I have been told I am wrong about it and that the car does have significant regen capabilities but it doesn't happen when you lift off the accelerator.
Apparently you get regenerative braking when you lightly press the brake pedal, then the friction brakes take over as you press further.
If this is the case (I'll have to drive one again I guess) why is it that people who are test driving or reviewing these cars aren't being told this?
This just shows how well the reviewers know what they are receiving.
This is exactly how it works. If you watch the cluster for power, you'll see a negative kw value for regen. Apply the brake pedal and you'll see that increase to a point, and then it'll hit 0kw, that's the point the actual brakes come in. I wouldn't be surprised if they introduce a 1 pedal driving mode in software, there's no reason why they couldn't do it, and another benefit of the OTA system.
@@leighmaddock3323 someone commented that they do it this way because Chinese buyers don't like one pedal driving or regen on lift-off, maybe, but why the hell don't the marketing or sales people explain it to anyone ?
Before I even drove it the sales guy told me it had "really subtle regen, even on high" so obviously he didn't know how it works.
A lot of people misunderstood the regen braking on BYD. Actually BYD did a great job on regen braking. This car is not one pedal drive anyway, so hit the brake pedal you will see strong regen brake kicks in immediately on your dash display. You can go check 'Ludicrous Feed' channel to see detailed explanation and testing. The first half of the travel on brake pedal is strong regen, which you can see on dash ( I saw -50KW in some video). The second half of the travel on brake pedal is disc brake.
I think that there is a certain level of intelligence that journalists are credited with that they absolutely do not possess. It is very obvious that the Atto has regenerative braking if you watch the "ammeter" as you drive. On a short test drive that is admittedly very hard to do! Did you ask the sales representative, or did you later rely on the media?
One would expect that a journalist would at least ask the question, but let's face it, they are mainly the fail-children of the elites, with massive self-regard, and barely the intelligence to copy each others' work. If you read the reviews of the Atto, they rabbit on about the same things without any apparent insight. It is clear that plagiarism is endemic among them.
Why would any EV manufacturer not attempt to recover energy in the pursuit of range? It does not make any sense not to do so. BYD build their car to closely emulate an ICE car. The braking curve and brake blending on the Atto are seamless. You do not even notice what the car is doing. In my opinion one pedal driving is nothing more than a gimmick.
The interior designer is definitely a gamer at heart.
Gaming racing chair? Check.
Colour scheme is practically Kyogre? Check.
RGB lighting? Check.
Better than VW, very fun and quirky like a French car. Excellent gym motif, I'm so into it. Center armrest could've been a weight bench. Honestly, if they took it up a notch with some actual recovery infrared heat and massaging in the seats, it'd be an immediate buy.
I suspect if BYD had coopted the name 'Austin' and called it the Austin 3 you Brits would love it.
The hardest thing to get used to in the Atto 3 is going SLOW. You get to 60kph without fuss and think you are travelling at around 40kph because it's so smooth and quiet.
In Australia where speed cameras have sometimes been hidden in rubbish bins in residential areas, this can get costly.
@10:25 you can actually test the Atto 3's time to 100kph using the inbuilt software... and I got there in just under 8 seconds with a more gradual takeoff as here in Oz they gave us crappy "Batman" tyres that have poor grip if you are a leadfoot.
As others from downunder have commented, this car is brilliant as a town car. My wife still owns a relatively new ICEV (Toyota) which I sometimes drive to the shops. I used to think it was a fantastic car, but now realise EVs are streets ahead in so many ways.
Liked the balanced review.
Nice review! I think BYD is here for the long term and will evolve and challenge Tesla, Kia and Hyundai and the other big EV manufacturers. Love the crazy interior, V2L, opening sunroof and range! Would love the MG aggressive pricing more! Cheesy slogan on rear !! Why not!
Exterior looks -- I don't love it, but I certainly don't hate it.
Interior looks -- Yep, it's weird but I can live with it.
Utility wise -- I think I would really like the car.
Charging is a bit of a let down for trips but is ok for home.
Handling is something I'd get used to, though probably would not enjoy.
Not a car I aspire to, but as a second I'd probably be happy with.
That’s exactly what this car is good at. Utility wise it is a perfect daily commuter. They didn’t go through the HD 360 cameras which help if you’re always parking in narrow spots. And pedestrian safety with the potentially frustrating pedestrian warning sounds at low speeds.
Atto 3 is one of BYD's MOST BASIC car model. Their best EV are offroad SUV Yangwang U8 and Super race car Yangwang U9. There are also a number of car models in between if you don't know. BYD sells 3 times EV than Tesla in China.
If it’s so basic (and it certainly does look cheap with all the fiddly mismatched plastic, so I believe you) they probably should have priced it closer to what they’re charging in Australia, rather than going toe to toe with Kona/Niro money.
Been in to the local dealer today and I have to say I am impressed. Build quality excellent, good features and decent space. Only criticism of the interior would be that it is a tad over designed
One important thing about this car is it's size. There is very little at this Goldilocks size which is a big gap in the market. The closest is the Kia Niro EV which is more bland and you have to pay more to get the same sort of tech. The inside is a bit radical but a refreshing change from most. After all, the Citroen Cactus was thought outlandish at the time.
A friend owns a Atto3 and those aren't face vents at all air does actually go through when I looked at the AU edition and doubt they would remove it for the UK. I see the Dragon, just need to know how to look at it. I love the red and this will be my next EV most likely unless the new Kona changes that but won't know that until later in the year. Can you show us the Android Auto icon on the screen please and is it wired or wireless same for Carplay? I am curious about the no-tow spec you mention, that is no way correct. The AU one has 750kg braked/unbraked and can take a 50kg roof box. I'm not sure if you will really get 11kW I suspect that MAY be a furfy and you'll only get 7kW. Real world will beat the lower battery spec MG ZS for range.
How is the after sale support, short and long term, spare part and software? The cabin are overworked, Opera
Are they able to be serviced in UK...would like to understand the support network when new vehicles enter UK market
What do you service in a electric car?
VW like design 🙂, mostly because the Wolfgang happens to be ex design head in the VW group(Audi to be precise) companies previously. The Seal has even more striking resemblance to the other German marquees.
Anyone else hate those centre consols, there is no transmission tunnel, so why? Try to get from the drivers seat to the passenger seat when you are parked in a tight spot, or just move over for a bit more space when you stop and it’s raining
So i test drove an Atto 3 today in the UK. It was a very well put together car, it was a bit wallowy, i wasnt getting much sense of what was going on but ive driven heavy goods vehicles and i can tell you i don't need stiff and engaged to have a safe and competent drive. I LOVED the interior, i LOVED the depth of the boot when you drop the floor and i felt really comfortable. The poor dealership seemed to be battling thw fact that BYD UK didn't have all the info that they needed, there isn't a servicing package in place. I really felt for them. But its a great car. However the insurance group is INSANE, for context my 38kwh ioniq which I'm replacing is a 17, the BYD is a 38!
BYD provides the battery , motor and major EV components to London electric bus. So if you live in London, you might have tired BYD vehicle actually.
I thought the whole bus is provided by BYD like they do in Shenzhen.
Liked the dedication of filming in the rain
Build your dreams is not cheesy, it comes from the company's history as a battery supplier for other manufacturers from the days of nokia and sumsung, and as such they were enablers of other people's dreams. Their foray into cars and electric cars is relatively recent.
They should change it to Burn Your Dreams judging by the amount of BYD cars burning China.
is there a way to turn on dash cam in byd atto3 uk spec?
You’re right the interior is where this one shines - it looks like a turbo prop plane with the controls - the guitar strings are cute - on the outside it looks like the smart #1 but that’s no surprise as it’s Mercedes partner - not bothered it says build your dreams on the back as you’re inside - surprised you didn’t mention the weather ! Really nice & flat seats folded down - the Tablet portrait & landscape option is brilliant - they’re definitely copying VW in a few places eg having a screen on the steering column - who’s going to sell them in the uk ? Are they going to be Tesla direct or MG from a dealer ? Thought we were getting the seal & dolphin ? If you think where the Japanese started in the 70s China is light years ahead by comparison against its euro competition
Needs to be priced below established proven Hyundai/Kia offerings!
Had a brief test drive. What blew me away was just how comfortable it was. I'm going to have to have another test drive because can't quite believe it! The interior is absolutely not to my taste and I positively loath the guitar strings but once your in your seat and driving; the ride, the handling, the quiet, so comfortable!. Great tech too. I.was so surprised.
It's been priced at what they think they can get away with at present; with the volatility in the market it will be interesting to see how they fare - or if they sustain that price..
The price is crazy in the UK for cars. When I got my Atto3 it was about 28K ponds. When only have one model and it seems to be the same as your top of the range one.
Yes the fact this was initially priced below the ZS EV in Australia but above it in Europe is quite telling
That holds true for all EVs now, because 1000KM+ ranged batteries, half-solid-state batteries, as well as sodium-based batteries that are way cheaper in cost are about to roll out in mass production later this year in China, and I'm pretty sure at the very least Tesla will adopt them really soon to stay in the competition. So the prices for EVs today won't be a good deal in a year or two.
Too strange of the interior with STRING attached t the speakers! That means ANYTHING leaning against those Red strings would vibrate when music plays! That would be maddening to hear your Metal Water Bottle Raddle with every deep musical note.
With cheaper LFP batteries on board and being built in China, I would have expected the Atto 3 to be more aggressive on price here in the UK. I'm not sure this has enough of a USP for a brand entering the UK market (though the interior is a little different). Would be interesting to know how much these sell for in their home market. 🤔
11000gbp in china
I checked in China MSRP is from 15,210.24 to 18,256.64 GBP, of course you can get some discount when bought that (500-1000GBP I guess), but not that much since this car sold very well in China.
I absolutely love the lunacy of that interior
Nice honest review. 👍Good job, thanks for sharing.
I really like it, the interior is different but it's also very stylish. Fantastic car, but I'm disappointed it's FWD, I'd prefer rear motor rwd
I have heard whispers that there may be a dual motor sport version coming much later. Looking underneath the back of my car, the mounting points for a second drive train are already there.
Not the right market for RWD at this price point
Hi, size wise with the atto3 or dolphin possibly… might be ok but I ask the question what dealer ships are taking on the sales and service of BYD ..? 🤔
I was thinking about BYD (Build Your Dreams) the other day and how it may seem a little silly. And then I remembered we have no issues with Volkswagen (The People's Car).
Plus Wang Chuanfu started this company in the 90s making after market batteries for cell phones. Then he decides to buy the failing car business of NORINCO, whose main job is to build tanks and guns for the Chinese military, and in 20 years he turns it into the largest EV maker in the entire world! The man literally did build all his dreams, which is probably why he insists on spelling that out on each and every car that comes out of a BYD factory.
I would like to see the comparison video between mg4 & atto 3 ...
the command to start voice assist is Hi BYD or Hello BYD， then you can give your voice commands~~~
Looking forward to the fantastic BYD Seal, review - a real Tesler beater!
It will beat the Tesla on price, and I expect it to be significantly better than a base model 3, but the performance Model 3s will probably be better than the Seal (and a lot more expensive). But I do think Tesla has better technology (especially as they are now using BYD's batteries).
@@hartoz I think that the Seal is a much more appealing package - especially the interior. Performance should be very similar, particularly charging, because as you say - Tesler use BYD blade batteries.
Interior almost futuristic Art Deco is beautiful. Wow. Seems like they still have a way to go, but the Chinese makers will be a thing in 5 years.
C pillar trim pieces are mimicing Dragon Scales. How did you miss that?
I'm glad I watched this video, I was going to test drive one today but I couldn't live with that interior lol
Very nice, great battery tech
The dragon resemblance is more to a traditional Chinese dragon rather than, say Smaug.
I have been driving an Atto3 since October 2022. After a week I stopped noticing the styling and appreciated the drive quality and the huge cost savings from not buying fuel. Very happy with the 40% lower price than Hyundai Kia or Tesla
Why are these car makers (Ora included) marking up the prices so much in the UK? I've seen all the reviews of this car from Australia and New Zealand and had high hopes that it would be a rival to the MG4 here. Not at these prices! Great car though.
Possibly Chinese cars are subject import tariffs in the UK? Australia and New Zealand both have comprehensive trade agreements with China, and the cars probably don’t incur any tariffs.
@@snich63 Another Brexit benefit?!
@@JonathanMorris777 I could be completely wrong, but I imagine Europe and UK have tariffs on imported cars to protect local industry. But it does look like the BYD is priced more as a Kia competitor in the UK, whereas it undercuts the Kia in NZ.
Could be the dealers? We just looked at the MG, no comparison, especially with interior and boot space. I loved the Atto 3, did not like the MG. The blade battery, is also a plus in my opinion. First car I have been able to get in and out of comfortably.
Now you know how we in New Zealand have felt for decades, watching US and European prices and drooling.
Sounds like it's about one generation behind where it could be, one to watch.
Thanks for the review. On a minor point, I'm curious as to why ALL reviewers have stated the front black grille is 'Fake'. Have a closer look. Please don't just rely on previous reviews. The vents provide an air curtain over the front wheels to aid aerodynamic efficiency.
I like the interior design. I hate those boring blend dull interiors on other cars.
I like the design of it inside and out, it's just the right size too. It's well speced, all round cameras, fingers crossed UK ones get the built in dash cam that Australia & NZ get. The Kia Niro/ Hyundai have bigger batteries but usually only charge to 80 % LFP in Atto 3 is happy to charge to 100% all the time.
I have a test drive booked for Friday. I'd happily get one if it's comfortable for someone that's 6f4 and still has space in the back.
I have an Atto 3. The cameras are very good with good resolution. The guy in this review is wrong on a few of his points
@@craigk1328 Australia and NZ reviews seems very positive so not sure why they have a downer in the UK.
@@carlarrowsmith probably biased
I'm 6'5" and fit comfortably. Can even sit behind my driving position. Compared to the niro/kona found it much more comfortable overall.
@@carlarrowsmithua-cam.com/video/2shibi6T5mc/v-deo.html
Question to the people from AUS/NZ what price is it in your county 1gbp = 1.82 aud / 1.93 nzd please ? Just wondering if you’re closer the chinese price than us in the uk ?
Quote; BYD website.
EXTENDED 60kWh
The all new ATTO 3 TACHYON is available in the extended range vehicle only. Incorporating the larger of the Blade batteries - a 60kWh unit - giving a 420km range
TACHYON operates from a single front-wheel-drive motor producing 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque delivering a 0 to 100km/h time of 7.3 seconds.
Price + ORC
$70,490 = £36,148 +
2022 Model 3
Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive = $70,587 incl ORC Available now.
Current fuel Price for me 98 = $2.61/L
The Model 3 in New Zealand/Australia is a Faaaaaaar superior vehicle than the shit built in the US.
@@fabmanly1070 in china atto3 18000$
Looks decent. Interior is way too gimmicky imo but the powertrain and battery is cool. Would like to see these in the US.
Unlikely, given your countries hatred for anything Chinese!
@@phuketexplorer BYD has plans to enter the US market
@@nothere572 So does Huawei 😆
@@phuketexplorer no they don’t
Great first impression
Car makers have got to start putting in a sliver of effort to integrate these massive screens. My Forester XT is going to hit 80k miles this week. I want to replace it with a PHEV or pure EV, but none offer the same level of interior volume, normal controls, and screens that would last more than a week with my hounds. I have a 95 lbs (43 kg) bluetick and 64 lbs (29 kg) black&tan hound that travel almost everywhere with me and am currently fostering a 47 lbs (21 kg) lemon hound. Any of them could easily rip that afterthought of a screen off with little effort/intent.
Good point! I'm in a similar situation - 3 doggoes who go everywhere I do and sometimes foster a fourth... finding an EV I can afford that will fit us all in comfortably AND stand up to the occasional craziness that comes with multiple pooches is proving to be pretty challenging!
Personally I don't think I'd be interested at the advertised price in the UK, if it was sub-£30K then I'd have a look but I wouldn't pay nearly £40K for an unknown Chinese brand
BYD is anything but an unknown brand. They are one of the worlds largest manufacturers of Lithium Ion Batteries, and the world second largest manufacturer of EVs (behind Tesla).
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BYD_Company
@@hartoz They are unknown in the UK other than to a few EV enthusiasts. Their cars have only just become available over here
The one problem for me that only affects a small number of people is the fixed headrest, as it digs into my shoulders and lower neck making it a very uncomfortable drive
My wife found the same. A lumbar cushion and neck cushion fixed it. And as a bonus, with the seat in the perfect position for me, the extra cushions put her in the perfect position for her, so we're not constantly fidgeting with the seat position. But yes, an adjustable head rest in the front seats might have been better for more people.
Design wise, the exterior ticks many boxes. The interior, it is certainly "different" and I am not sure many people will have expected it to depart style wise to such a degree.
Plus points, would be the battery technology, BYD blade is class leading, and the V2L, this should be more standard these days.
The main disappointment would be the price.
A little like GW's ORA Funky cat, for such a new Chinese Entrant to the UK market, nobody will want to pay that kind of money, especially as most EV prices have dropped significantly (used prices must be around 10 or 20% lower than only 2 months ago). If this as top spec hitting £33K perhaps, but £39K...no no, no.
I fully understand that their home market price wars abound, to gain market share, but in Europe, we know how much things are in China and do not appreciate being fleeced.
yeah it's much cheaper in Aus and NZ ofr some reason
Might have to do with the transport costs. UK is basically the opposite side of the world from China
@@TheSuperior100 it has more to do with the Chinese EV market and current price wars there to gain market share. They are offsetting this with inflated prices in Europe and other markets. I for one will not be fleeced.
Atto 3 is cheaper and advanced than ID3, what you expect more? Your county can not produce any good car any more & BYD sold most NEV cars (BEV+HEV) worldwide 2022, cry about that ...
Looks great.........Crazy inside....Maybe inspired.............Gym works........bit of fun
No mention of the Kia sportage lookalike rear end ?
Seen these on the road in Australia. Externally it’s a nice looking car, except for the “Build Your Dreams” meme subtitle on the boot. I’ve heard some owners are removing the lettering.
I'm considering removing the lettering off mine.
I think it is overall a good package.
It’s not exactly sleek inside is it. Outside looks decent and battery tech is good.
I have to admit the interior took a little getting used to, but it does grow on you. Seats are very comfy (even in the back).
The BYD looks amazing, and I would have one, however Im waiting for Nio to come to the UK
NIO is good I guess you need to pay double, I really like ET5 touring, and you?
Thank you for telling us what ATTO means.
The head designer at BYD came from Audi.
The saying is "Hi BYD," then the command.
Like others in Australia, I have owned my Atto 3 since mid-September and love my Atto 3 and in Australia represents exceptional value for money.
Like all motoring journalists you all carry on like a pork chop when it comes to the interior, once you are an owner, it all pales into significance.
The sound system, to me, is exceptional. Why are you journalists so obsessed with speed it's not a Porsche, nor does it have the price tag either.
You seem to have a lot of issues I haven't experienced except for the proximity warning that beeps sometimes when it comes to the first parked car on the road and it beeps occasionally.
You need to compare what is included for the price and the value that the BYD Atto 3 represents when other brands charge you for the same options that are standard on the BYD Atto 3.
With the majority of cars, no matter the brand , you need to make some compromises for the price point unless it's in Mercedes/ porsche price range.
The first 2 things I did once I took delivery of my blue extended range Atto 3 was to fit it with Continental Ecocontact XL 5 tyres which are specifically designed for Evs, replacing the Chinese brand Batman Atlas tyres the vehicle came with, which has vastly improved the handling and braking in all weather conditions and secondly, I got all the windows tinted for our hot and sunny Australian summers.
My Atto 3 is my daily commute vehicle, not for travelling vast distances. If I need to go a vast distance, I fly.
Here in Australia, we lead the world with rooftop solar, so most of us install a home wallbox charger, using our solar power to charge our Ev, so for a lot of us, we charge for free.
Most people using a public charger do so when they stop for a rest/meal break when travelling vast distances. We have several apps that show us where the public chargers are located.
Our Atto 3 also shows the location of public chargers when using the in-car GPS.
To be fair to the reviewer, the Atto 3 seems way more expensive in the UK compared to NZ and Australia.
I think the latest NZ ones now come with Continental tyres. Not sure whether they leave the factory like that, or whether the local distributor is swapping them.
@Steve Nicholson but is it still price competitive with other Evs in their home market's?
@@Peter-vn8ue it looks like it is priced the same a a Kia e Niro in the UK. In NZ, the Kia starts at about 10% more than the BYD. And I think all the NZ and OZ BYDs are the equivalent of the top UK spec.
Not into the idea of front charge port… especially as that posn would not work on my drive … don’t know how I’d feel with the sentence written across the hatch lol.. yes question is how reliable will it be, external is a nice shape 👍
I can only speak to my own ownership experience. The charge port location can be a pain, it should be in the nose like the MG ZS EV or Kia. If you're using a roadside charger, the port is on the wrong side of the car (it needs to be on the passenger side) and you end up draping the cable across the bonnet (a towel placed underneath the cable prevents any scratches to the paint). When using charge stalls, it's less of a problem because if you drive in forward, the charge port os on the same side as a Tesla's would be if the Tesla reversed in (I hope that makes sense).
For me reliability has been great, I have been driving my Atto 3 since October with no issues.
@@hartoz I don’t public charge and never “drive” into parking so only have an EV with rear charge port , so many are ruled out on high prices abd front charging lol
I hate the ribbed bit on the dashboard, reminds me of throwaway food packaging. I like the exteriour but the interior is really fussy, IMO. Not sure if I'd buy a BYD yet, but I think they are a really exciting up and coming EV manufacturer.
Remember all these funky stuff are there to lure the younger generation. You have to be open minded about "odd styles and gimmicks" as they are highly favorable especially in the Asian market. I enjoyed your thorough review of this Atto 3. Feel sorry for you standing in the snow. Not always easy with UK weather.
The issues with people recently finding rust in places there shouldn't be rust is a big concern. In places such as between brackets and bolts etc. These have been found in multiple BYD Atto 3's that are only very new. It's certainly raised my awareness. I actually do like the BYD Atto, but rust is never a good thing in any vehicle especially if it's less then 12 months old 🤨
Hope it's better priced
That's quite disconcerting. lol. Spilled my coffee, just the way you said it and looked at the camera. @ 11:55
It sounds like it drives just like a Honda or Toyota family care, with some funky, fun stuff in the interior. Perfect for a 5-seat crossover, right?
It's definitely faster than a Toyota family car, especially for overtaking.
Voice assistants can be DIY.
You can DIY how it receives, responds and executes.
It's a step in the right direction price wise but would I buy one? Would it tempt me to leave my diesel SUV behind? No. 2 reasons really the first being who is going to be selling the in the UK or in my case Northern Ireland because I wouldn't imagine they'll be that easy to get even if I was interested plus even if they were on sale where I live what happens when something goes wrong with it which no doubt it will, it's not like you can bring it to a garage down the road for them to have a look at it and mend it. I do like the interior, it's just the right side of wacky tho' I don't like the strings on the door which I've a feeling would vibrate like mad in those strings if you had some bass heavy music on. I also wouldn't be a fan of the vague steering as that puts me in mind if anything Stellantis based. Bottom line no.
How many gears has it got? I think the interior is class its certainly not dull or boring unlike say a VW or a Skoda.
It has no gears, although it does use a reduction drive to bring the motor speed down to road speeds.
@@hartoz I know that. It's not a gear selector it's a drive selector it has. But he said the gearstick that's why I asked.
They must have employed French design consultants for that interior.
No mention of these cars bursting in to flames 🔥
The dash looks like the underneath skin on a Blue Whale and the outside looks like a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross.
Was that a Fairphone I saw?
The spec, performance and range is great at this price point.
Not a fan of the words on the rear boot lid.
Lol. Probably quite easily debadged though
They come of easy. I just used tooth floss and didn't even need to heat the letters
The more advanced battery tech and incusion of a heat-pump are what interest me. Exterior looks OK, apart from the name across the bootlid, but do not like the interior at all.