BYD Atto

Expert Review by Maxabout

Overview

BYD, or Build Your Dreams, is not your average Chinese EV manufacturer. It is a corporation that is technologically, financially, and intellectually invested in the EV ecosystem. The Blade is commonly regarded as the world's safest and most technologically advanced lithium-ion battery. This is no small feat. Even Tesla, which prides itself on its battery technology, is likely to employ BYD's Blade cells for its Model Y made in Germany. It is also one of the world's largest manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries. BYD is undoubtedly not a low-tech company.

In addition, the corporation is no stranger to India. For the past 15 years, the company has focused on mobile components, solar panels, battery energy storage, electric buses, vehicles, and forklifts, as well as chargers. BYD now has roughly 20 dealers in key Indian cities, and the Atto 3 is the company's second vehicle to be sold in India.

In BYD Auto's India lineup, the BYD Atto 3 is a five-seater electric SUV that sits above the E6 MPV. Although this new electric SUV is new to the Indian market, it is a successful global product. It is based on the brand's 'Dragon Face 3.0' design concept, which gives it appealing styling. It has a compact footprint and dimensions for a mid-sized SUV. Nonetheless, it stands out for its attractive styling both inside and out.

Exterior of BYD Atto 3

Chinese automakers are notorious for giving their vehicles unusual and amusing names. The name Atto is unusual, particularly for a vehicle that lacks an engine, combustion, or Otto cycle. But the name Atto is derived from the word attosecond, which is the smallest fraction of a second that can currently be measured.

2023 BYD Atto 3 has a muscular appearance that places it somewhere between a sporty SUV and a crossover. Chinese car designers have come a long way from the highly derived designs of previous vehicles. The new Atto 3 has a distinct personality that starts with a flat, sporty nose and a chrome band connecting the headlights.

The blue elements in the lamps are also appealing, and the faux fog-light section adds width and visual weight to the nose. The BYD design language goes by the name 'Dragon Face 3.0’. The design is enhanced by the tight-fitting roofline and nicely executed muscular flanks. The car's back end is well rounded off in a muscular manner, with appealing linked tail lights.

Under the light bar, the company name Build Your Dreams is emblazoned in chrome. This may not be to everyone's taste, but it gives the car a personality, and you can't confuse it with anything else. The rear has a sporty spoiler, and the 'C' pillar has an interesting metallic fish-scale-like effect. The alloys are also well-selected, and the distinctive five-spoke design works well.

While the Atto 3 appears small in person, its compact and tight proportions allow it to measure 4,455mm in length and have a 2,720mm wheelbase.

Interior of BYD Atto 3

Whether you like interior design or not, you have to admire BYD for experimenting and introducing an unusual design. It combines the gym and music concepts. As a result, muscular elements such as the white curvy engravement on the dashboard and dumbbell-inspired ac vents are present. The guitar-like strings on the door can then be plucked to create a rhythm. These also aid in keeping the bottle or other items stored in the door pad in place. Because of the unusual design, storage spaces are unusual but plentiful. The centre armrest, for example, has a narrow opening but deep stowage. Similarly, there is storage in the lower half of the front central tunnel, but it is difficult to access. The materials are of good quality, with smooth edges, soft materials, and a combination of white-black-blue leather.

The front visibility is good, but the rear visibility is hampered by a thin windscreen. Even so, the high-resolution 360-degree camera is useful, with wide angles covering even blind spots when reversing. The headrest-integrated seats are also attractive and comfortable. The second row has enough knee room with a flat floor but is limited in terms of headroom. Three people can sit side by side here, but the rear middle backrest feels a little upright. Furthermore, there is no reclining option. Fortunately, the massive panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of space and includes an electric slide and anti-pinch feature. The 440 litres boot space is tweaked to create a flat area with the seats folded.

Powertrain and Battery of BYD Atto 3

2023 BYD Atto 3 has a range of 521 kilometres and is powered by a 60.48 kWh battery pack and an electric motor mounted on the front axle (ARAI-claimed). It produces 201 HP and 310 Nm of torque, which is more than enough to propel this large vehicle. It accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in 7.3 seconds. And, like other EVs, it's very quiet, with only tyre noise filtering into the cabin at high speeds. The throttle response varies slightly between the three drive modes: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In terms of immediacy, the Sport mode has the most. There is an additional Snow mode that limits the otherwise instant throttle response. However, the regeneration, whether standard or high, is insufficient to stop the car or provide one pedal drive.

In terms of driving, the BYD Atto 3 feels no different than any other ICE vehicle. Even though it was born as an EV on the e-Platform 3.0, it has easy-to-drive characteristics, with seamless e-transmission and clutch-less gearshifts adding to the convenience. The ADAS may appear intrusive and can be turned off, but it is relatively simple to adapt to. In comparison to Li-ion batteries, the Blade battery is said to have better features and be ultra-safe, adding to owners' peace of mind. It supports fast charging, charging from 0% to 80% in just 50 minutes. Even in terms of dependability, BYD has backed up the Blade battery with something to brag about: it passed the nail penetration test, which is said to be a rigorous battery test. It was not damaged and did not deform, leak, or emit smoke after being driven over by a 46-tonne truck. It can also power large appliances such as a power bank with an output of up to 3.3kW.

Ride and Handling of BYD Atto 3

2023 BYD Atto 3 is a quiet, well-insulated, and comfortable vehicle. The suspension feels pliant over rough patches and regular bumps, and the Atto 3 rides comfortably and relaxed. Larger potholes throw it off balance, and there is some thudding, but the ride quality is good overall. At high speeds, the Atto 3 is also stable, and drivers will appreciate how well it responds to small steering wheel movements.

The new Atto 3's steering is light and quick, with two-and-a-half turns lock-to-lock. It also has comfort and Sport mode, which aid in the addition of weight. On straight roads, the car has excellent straight-line stability. Some rough patches demonstrated how well the suspension absorbed undulations and kept the passengers comfortable. Despite the 175mm ground clearance, the 18-inch tyres cleared the speed breakers. The Atlas Batman tyres are used on the initial SKD units of the Atto 3 but will be replaced during local assembly by another manufacturer. Not to mention that the brake pedal can be set to sport for a more aggressive bite rather than the standard comfort mode, which is still adequate for stopping this nearly two-tonne vehicle.

It is very satisfying to drive the Atto 3 in a relaxed manner as well. Putting the foot down on the accelerator produces a measured response, making it an easy EV to drive in stop-and-go traffic. There is always plenty of torque under your right foot, and the reactions aren't exaggerated or abrupt. When you apply more force, the Atto 3 produces a much larger slug of torque, and performance has become much stronger and more energetic. It still doesn't provide a noticeable performance boost, and acceleration remains linear and controlled even at higher speeds. The Atto 3 is quick, with a 0 to 100 kph time of 7.3 seconds claimed.

Because of its simple controls, the Atto 3 is also enjoyable to drive. The steering is light and easy to twirl, the accelerator is nicely sprung, and while the brake pedal feel isn't great, it doesn't require too much attention.

The new Atto 3 isn't built to take advantage of sharp turns. While speed is great, it does not like being pushed any further. To get the most out of the Atto 3, you should drive it slowly. When you push it harder, it rolls a lot; then, because there isn't much weight on the front wheels, the steering feels aloof and inconsistent. The Atto 3 also has driver modes and adjustable regen, but neither appears to be very effective, and it's difficult to tell the difference between the various settings.

Key Features of BYD Atto 3

The lack of ventilated seats and Android Auto puzzled me, but let's hope it's added to the production lot next year. Aside from that, the carmaker has ensured that the Atto 3 has a feature-rich interior. The rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen is the main attraction. BYD created the screen, and it is simple to use with all controls on board. Everything runs smoothly, and the audio system sounds great. The digital instrument cluster needs to be bigger. A wider one would have provided more separation and increased font size for better legibility.

An 8-speaker audio system, voice control, front electric seat adjustment, wireless charging, a one-touch electric control tailgate, LED lighting, multi-colour gradient ambient lighting that responds to music rhythm, PM 2.5 air filter, and CN95 air filter, are standard. The L2 Advanced Driving Assistance System is unique to the Atto 3. (ADAS). Other notable features include 7 airbags, an NFC card key, a 360-degree holographic transparent imaging system, a puncture kit, and a Vehicle to Load (VTOL) mobile power station.

BYD provides a 7kW home charger and installation service, and a 3kW portable charging box. Customers will then receive a three-year free 4G data subscription, a six-year roadside assistance contract, and six free maintenance services. The traction battery, motor, and controller are covered by an eight-year or 1.5-lakh-kilometre warranty. This is in addition to the vehicle's six-year or 1.5-lakh-kilometre warranty.

Competitors of BYD Atto 3

The Hyundai Kona Electric and the MG ZS EV are the closest competitors in the price range of approximately 30-35 lakhs.

Conclusion

2023 BYD Atto 3 is a promising proposition due to its impressive spec list and promising features/technology. All BYD has to do now is focus on the sales and service network to establish a reputation among users.

It is easy to drive, comfortable to sit in, and has a cool-looking, funky cabin, a large, well-configured touchscreen, and a slew of safety and tech features. The Atto 3 delivers adequate performance, a smooth ride, and a plethora of driver-assistance technology. Then it gets BYD's Blade battery, one of the best and safest on the market, and a very healthy 521 km range; expect at least 400 km in real life.

The new BYD Atto 3 is an expensive option, with an ex-showroom price of Rs 34 lakh. Most other EVs in this segment, such as the MG ZS and Hyundai Kona, are less expensive. The EV is a glaring shortcoming. Then, in comparison to more established brands, its quirky styling, limited showrooms, service centres, and market penetration automatically cost it brownie points. However, the Atto 3 has several selling points and has received a positive response, with 1,500 bookings since October. It does have an upmarket feel to it, with a feature-rich cabin and 4+1 seating capacity. The 500 km range is then compared to some ICE SUVs. Furthermore, BYD intends to open 24 showrooms in 21 Indian cities by the end of this year, to expand to at least 53 showrooms by the end of 2023. All of this adds up to make the BYD Atto 3 a promising premium electric vehicle option.