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Things you'll like
- Bright and interesting interior
- Loads of standard kit
- Comfortable around town
Things to consider
- There are more practical rivals…
- …and many that are better to drive
- Charging speed should be better
What is the BYD Atto 3?
Haven’t heard of BYD yet? We’d be surprised, given the Chinese giant (whose name stands for Build Your Dreams) is selling cars like ice creams on a hot day. It shifted a whopping 4.27 million vehicles in 2024 – more than Tesla AND Mercedes-Benz combined.
That incredible success isn’t all down to passenger cars, admittedly: BYD makes everything from electric bicycles to buses and even monorails. With a £50bn annual turnover it’s also a manufacturing colossus, making 20% of all smartphones and half of all iPads sold globally.
Granted, BYD is a much smaller player in the UK, but it’s the fastest growing brand here in 2025 thanks to electric cars such as the Seal, Dolphin and this: the Atto 3.
The Atto 3 is the brand’s mid-size offering – an affordable electric SUV taking aim at established competitors like the Kia Niro EV. Oh, and if you’re interested: the name comes from the ‘attosecond’, a unit of time so short it can’t yet be measured. Read our in-depth review to decide if you should consider the Atto 3 for longer than that.
Verdict: is the BYD Atto 3 a good car?
We reckon the Atto 3 is an electric SUV worth considering if you’re looking for something well-priced yet interesting and a bit different from the norm. A decent range, quirky interior and vast equipment tally gives the BYD real showroom appeal, even if you’ll ultimately find roomier, longer-range and better-to-drive alternatives for similar money.
Pricing, specs & rivals
The BYD Atto 3 is at the affordable end of the spectrum when it comes to electric SUVs, but we’d stop short of calling it cheap. You may well find some tempting lease deals like we did at the time of writing, but the list price is a more reliable indicator as those deals can change.
In March 2025 the Atto 3 started at £37,695 for entry-level Comfort trim – slightly more than a Smart #1 Pro+ but a bit less than a Hyundai Kona Electric, and pretty much bang on the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
Design trim (the only other trim level offered on the Atto 3 currently) is £39,695 – not a bargain in any sense, but just below the £40,000 price barrier where the Expensive Car Supplement (or ‘luxury car tax’) is paid.
We reckon Comfort trim is the better deal, particularly as it comes with an extensive equipment tally including LED headlights, 18-inch alloys, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry, a heat pump and vehicle-to-load technology. It also gets the all-important party piece infotainment system (more on that later).
Stepping up to Design trim doesn’t bring a whole host of upgrades bar a larger touchscreen infotainment system, an electric tailgate and an advanced air purification system.
Rivals
There are a host of alternatives to the BYD Atto 3, so if you’re looking at one it’s well worth considering the equally Chinese Smart #1 and slightly more Swedish Volvo EX30. Other options include the Kia Niro EV, Hyundai Kona Electric, Skoda Elroq, Ford Explorer and Honda e:Ny1, along with the Renault Scenic E-Tech and excellent value MG ZS EV.
If you aren’t dead set on an SUV-like bodystyle, then it’s well worth considering conventional hatchbacks like the MG 4, Cupra Born and Peugeot e-308 for similar money or less.
BYD Atto 3: Interior comfort, quality & technology
The Atto 3 isn’t much of a head-turner on the outside – most of the design uniqueness has been applied to the inside instead.
You see, like the smaller BYD Dolphin, the Atto 3 has an interior ‘theme’ – it’s been inspired by elements from a gym. If that sounds like nonsense, check out the gearlever (which mimics a kettle bell) the armrest (apparently meant to conjure up a treadmill) and the centre air vents (designed to look a bit like dumbbells).
Those aren’t the only oddities inside. You’ll also find unusual (and nice to use) interior door openers, while each door pocket is flanked by three elasticated ‘guitar’ strings – they play a tune when you strum them, which is fun at first glance but might not be on a long journey with mischievous kids in the back.
Unusual details aside, cabin quality is pretty good, with plenty of soft touch finishes and bright colour options to make it less dour than some other EVs. Some details let it down, though – the door handles, for example, are cheap painted plastic with a sharp seam on them. Overall, it’s not bad.
The same sentiment applies to the driving position. You get plenty of adjustment in the wheel and seats, with the latter featuring electric adjustment as standard. What you don’t get is adjustable lumbar support on any version – while the seats appear comfortable at first, the lack of lower back support can be an issue on long distances.
Forward visibility is pretty good (aside from an issue with the touchscreen, more on that below) and you get an SUV-like higher driving position. But rear visibility is nothing to write home about. All versions come with not only all-round parking sensors, but a 360-degree camera system too, which can’t be said of many rivals.
Infotainment, sat-nav, stereo and connectivity
Lots of new cars only offer one size of infotainment screen nowadays, but BYD offers two. Entry-level Comfort trim has a 12.8-inch touchscreen, while Design trim raises that to a substantial 15.6 inches.
Beyond the size, both screens are effectively the same, however, with built-in navigation along with wireless Android Auto (but, oddly, wired Apple CarPlay). They’re bright, clear and feature packed, with decent response times but somewhat fiddly climate controls and some tricky to navigate menus.
Both screens have a party piece, though: they rotate electrically. This can be done at the push of a button on the steering wheel or via voice control, turning from portrait to landscape orientation in seconds.
It’s a fun feature to show off to your mates, but we question its real-world use. In theory you’d use portrait mode for navigation, but you can only run Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in landscape mode. The screen itself also blocks a bit of your view forwards in portrait mode, too.
The instrument display is much smaller than the main screen, and while it isn’t particularly flash or customisable, the fact that it’s mounted on the steering column itself means it’s always clearly visible no matter how you adjust the wheel position.
Both USB-C and USB-A connectors feature in the front and rear for those who haven’t quite decided yet. The standard eight speaker stereo gives only acceptable sound quality – instead, its party piece is ambient lighting that can pulsate to the beat of your music.
How practical is the BYD Atto 3?
With dimensions of 4,455mm in length, 1,875mm in width and 1,615mm in height, the BYD Atto 3 is slightly larger in every dimension than the Kia Niro EV and roughly on a par with the Renault Scenic E-Tech.
Cabin space can’t match the latter, however. There are no issues in the front seats in terms of space for your legs and head, while there’s enough cabin width that you aren’t bumping elbows with the front seat passenger.
But it’s in the rear where things are only average. Headroom is the main issue – it’s fine for average-sized adults, but those who are six foot and above will find the standard-fit panoramic sunroof eats into available space.
Legroom is fine even for those over six foot, and the flat floor is a bonus, but a Scenic is even more generous. The seats don’t slide or recline like that car, either, and under-thigh support for the rear seats isn’t great.
If you’re a family with a couple of kids, the Atto 3 is decent enough. But a car of this size should be a bit more accommodating for four, or even five adults.
Storage and boot space
There’s a good level of storage space in the front of the Atto 3 including decent-sized door bins, a pretty good glovebox and a cubby under the centre armrest.
There’s also a useful storage area below the centre console itself, with USB-C and A connectors along with a 12-volt socket. On top of that you’ll find a phone storage tray with wireless charging, plus a couple of cupholders that can be adjusted for different sized drinks.
In the rear you’ll find no fewer than three pockets on each seatback for maps or devices, usable door bins and a pair of cupholders in the centre armrest.
It’s a shame there’s no ski hatch behind that armrest, while the 60/40 split of the rear seatbacks is disappointing when many of the BYD’s rivals have a more flexible 40/20/40 split.
Still, the 440-litre boot capacity is decent for the class – well in excess of the Smart #1, and not far off the Hyundai Kona Electric’s capacity. A height adjustable boot floor lets you remove the load lip, too, and gives you useful underfloor storage. You’ll put the charging cables here because, unlike the Niro EV, there’s no space for them under the bonnet.
Performance & drive: What is the BYD Atto 3 like on the road?
There’s nothing particularly exciting about the way the Atto 3 gets down the road, but it delivers perfectly good performance for most needs.
All versions have a 204hp electric motor powering the front wheels, enough for a decent 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds – about on a par with the Kia Niro EV, but behind the Smart #1.
You don’t get full power from a standstill, which might sound annoying but, in reality, means that you don’t get too much unwanted wheelspin or torque steer like some front-wheel drive EVs. Once away from the line power builds, and there’s enough acceleration for you to feel comfortable overtaking.
Of course, the Atto 3 has regenerative braking, with two modes available. The stronger of the two is only slightly more aggressive, but neither can bring the car to a complete standstill without you having to use the brake. Pedal response is fine, however.
Power, 0-62mph times
- BYD Atto 3 (all versions): 204hp/ 7.3 secs
Ride and handling
On the road, the Atto 3 is best suited to gentler driving, such as cruising about town, than more demanding environments. Its soft suspension smooths off potholes and speed bumps pretty well, and it’s easy to get along with.
Sadly, outside of urban streets the BYD is less impressive. Even moderate cornering speeds bring plenty of body lean, and the soft setup means plenty of bouncing and an unsettled feel on typical faster country roads.
That, combined with the lifeless steering and moderate grip levels, means that this isn’t a car for the enthusiast. It’s a shame because EV rivals like the Niro EV and Skoda Elroq offer similar levels of comfort but a much more confidence-inspiring drive out of town.
Noise and refinement
Below 20mph the Atto 3 emits a noticeable, and somewhat irksome, warning noise so pedestrians and other road users are aware of your presence. Thankfully it goes away above that speed, but up the pace to motorway speeds and you’ll notice a fair amount of wind noise.
Although that’s mildly intrusive, road noise isn’t too dominant overall, meaning it isn’t a bad car for long distance driving.
Euro NCAP: is the BYD Atto 3 a safe car?
The BYD Atto 3 hits the expected class standard for family-focused electric cars when it comes to safety. Euro NCAP awarded it the maximum five star rating when it was crash tested in 2022.
Strong adult and child occupant protection scores of 91% and 89% respectively mean you won’t feel nervous letting your loved ones climb aboard. The BYD lacks the safest assist scores of cars like the Smart #1 or Volvo EX30, however.
There’s no shortage of kit on board, however. Alongside the usual autonomous emergency braking and lane keep assistance, you’ll find standard fitment of blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, traffic sign assist and even adaptive cruise control.
Charging, range and running costs
The Atto 3 was the first BYD to arrive in the UK and was launched back in 2022, so it’s far from the brand’s newest offering. Its merely acceptable range reflects this.
Here, we only get the Atto 3 with the largest battery option of 60.5kWh. It uses BYD’s ‘Blade’ technology with long strips of battery cells instead of modules, saving weight and space over more conventional batteries.
It’s also claimed to allow better range from the lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry than it otherwise would – LFP batteries, which don’t use cobalt and are claimed to have a longer lifespan and a lower risk of overheating, can be less energy dense than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Despite all that, the Atto 3’s official WLTP combined range of 260 miles on a charge isn’t much to write home about. While it’s better than the Honda e:Ny1 and about on a part with a Smart #1, a Volvo EX30 Extended Range manages 296 miles on a charge and a Hyundai Kona Electric can manage up to 319 miles. Overall, though the Atto 3 is still in the ballpark for where an electric family car needs to be.
Another bonus is a standard fit heat pump. It’s an optional extra on several alternatives and should help the BYD retain a good level of range in winter driving.
Range on a charge (WLTP figures)
- BYD Atto 3 (all versions): 260 miles
The Atto 3’s modest rapid charging speed is something shared by a few similarly priced rivals, but several do better.
BYD quotes a peak DC charging rate of 89kW, which is sufficient for a 10-80% charge in 37 minutes on a suitable rapid charger. That’s quicker than a Kia Niro EV, but a Smart #1 manages a 150kW peak and a Skoda Elroq 60 an impressive 165kW.
That means there are more practical alternatives to the Atto 3 for those looking to travel regular long distances. But if you just want to commute to or from work and can charge at home, the Atto 3 allows 11kW AC charging and can fully charge from empty in well under seven hours – fine for an overnight charge.
Charging speeds
(Figures from EV Database)
- 7kW charging: 9hrs 45mins
- 11kW/22kW charging: 6hrs 30mins/ N/A
- 50kW rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 53 mins
- 150kW+ rapid charger (10 to 80% charge): 37 mins
How much does the BYD Atto 3 cost to insure?
Insurance groups for the BYD Atto 3 are relatively high given its performance and price level. Both Comfort and Design trims sit in group 38 – ten more than the cheapest Kia Niro EV and 8 more than the entry-level Smart #1, but on a par with the Honda e:Ny1. Expect BYD’s relatively new entrance to the market, combined with concerns over parts availability in an accident, to be a factor here.
BYD Atto 3 FAQs
What is the UK price of the BYD Atto 3?
The BYD Atto 3 starts from £37,695 on the road in the UK. That price gets you comfort trim, while top spec Design is £139,695.
Is the BYD Atto 3 a good car?
The BYD Atto 3 is a decent electric SUV that has an excellent safety rating, lots of standard equipment and a roomy boot. However many of its EV rivals are nicer to drive and faster to charge.
How big is the BYD Atto 3?
The BYD Atto 3 is roughly the same size as the Nissan Qashqai, with dimensions of 4,455mm in length, 1,875mm in width and 1,615mm in height.
