Overview

In case you’re wondering what the badge on the front of the BYD Atto 3 stands for, worry no longer – it’s ‘Build Your Dreams’. Although slightly cringey, it’s certainly something BYD has done since 1995, becoming an expert in electric vehicle systems, constructor of cars, and collaborator on electric buses.

That’s an aggressive sales strategy for a car company that almost nobody has heard of. However, BYD is confident it can pull it off because, unlike its European rivals, it has its supply chain nailed down. The firm makes all the components it needs for its electric cars in-house, including the battery packs, electric motors and those elusive semi-conductors.

That means lead times for the Atto 3 are said to be a fraction of those for competitors such as the Volkswagen ID.4, Renault Megane E-Tech Electric and Kia Niro EV (although the situation is improving). There is a handful of showrooms now, you can have a new car within a fortnight. Sounds appealing, yes?

Although the Atto 3 slightly undercuts the Enyaq iV, ID.4 and Niro EV, it’s not quite as bargain basement as the MG4 EV. The range kicks off with Active trim similar money to the aforementioned rivals, with this anything but a poverty spec model. In fact, the only thing it’s missing compared to mid-range Comfort for around £500 more is an 11kW charger to make the most of three-phase AC charging.

At the top of the range is Design model. This gives you a bigger touchscreen which we’d argue is pointless, a handy electric tailgate, fancier ambient lighting and floor mats. When you consider that even Active gets a panoramic roof, auto LED headlights with high beam assist, electric front seats, adaptive cruise and more, we’d just stick to Comfort.

The BYD Atto 3 is an interesting new addition to the mid-sized electric car market, but the strength of opposition is immense. Does it have what it takes to cut through in such a competitive market? Over the next few pages, we’ll be thoroughly reviewing all aspects of the Atto 3 and rating them in our verdict. Our scores will take into account the driving experience, how pleasant the interior is, the practicality on offer and what it’ll cost you to run.