BYD, which stands for Build Your Dreams, is an electric car specialist and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of new energy vehicles, with more than 3.7 million units on the road in 70 countries.
The Atto 3, our protagonist, is a 4.45-meter long C-segment SUV with a 440-liter trunk. In other words, a rival to 100% electric cars such as the Citroën ë-C4 X, Mercedes-Benz EQA, Kia e-Niro, Mazda MX-30, Volvo XC40 or Volkswagen ID.4.
BYD has been present in the European market since 2021, although previously it already sold electric buses. It is a manufacturer to take into account due to the great experience accumulated in electric vehicles, in addition to manufacturing its own batteries and components. This is especially important since they do not depend on third parties and are immediately available in any market.
We are speaking, therefore, of a true specialist in electric mobility who is going to force European manufacturers to make a great effort. And also to the Japanese and Koreans who sell cars in Europe.
In any case, this new urban SUV comes with good arguments to convince a new audience, users who value technology and efficiency. Not so much the design.
Compact in shape, it has a design that is pleasing to the eye, casual, and with a descending line towards the back that provides dynamism. The Chinese brand claims that the style is intended to convey freshness, which is very youthful and capable of attracting young families.
It adopts some well-known styling solutions such as the taillights linked by a strip of LED lights or an LED strip that runs along the grille. Certainly nice, in any case.
The Atto 3 has an approved autonomy of 420 kilometers, in combined cycle, thanks to a 60.48 kWh battery of proprietary technology. BYD claims that this battery, which does not use cobalt, is capable of withstanding the weight of a 46-tonne truck driving over it. We do not doubt it.
The space available inside is good and well used. And there is no shortage of storage spaces in the doors and in the center console. In the rear, as often happens, two passengers will travel more comfortably. And the trunk, functional in shape and with a capacity of 440 litres, offers more than enough cargo space. And it has electric opening.
Autonomy is sufficient for weekly urban and interurban use. That is, in most cases it will be enough to charge it once a week. And driving in moderation, and a lot of urban travel, it is easy to approach the real 400 km.
And it has the two-way charging function, like Kia and Hyundai, which allows charging external devices such as smartphones, tablets or electric bikes. To charge the battery, it admits a maximum power of 11 kW in alternating current and 88 kW in direct current. This means that we can recover 80% capacity in less than 30 minutes, at a 150 kW charging point. And the standard heat pump helps to optimize the cost of electricity in winter.
More original than the exterior, the interior of the Atto 3 provides curious details and innovative design solutions. Door handles, for example, are built into the speakers. The form of air vents and the location of the central aerators on the console is original, too.
But there is more: the side openings of the doors, to carry an object or a small plastic bottle, have three flexible strings as if they were a guitar or bass. But it is also that, if you play the strings, they sound with three different musical notes. Really curious.
The large touch screen in the center of the dashboard also attracts a lot of attention. At 15.6 inches in this Design version, the layout can be changed: horizontal or vertical. It is enough to touch a button on the same screen or on the steering wheel to make it turn.
And if we drive using the navigator, the vertical position is really useful. On the other hand, the menu system of this attractive tablet on the dashboard greatly facilitates its use. Comfortable, fast and intuitive. And the tactile physical buttons on the steering wheel also make everyday driving easier.
Also, the highly ergonomic shift lever has an aviation-inspired design and is actuated quickly. In general, the cabin conveys a feeling of quality, with materials that are very good to the touch.
The 204 hp electric motor offers very good performance, both on the highway and in the city. The power is adequate for your approach. No more is needed.
Smooth and silent, it has a set-up that favors the comfort of the occupants. It is somewhat soft on the suspension, but its attitude in the curve is noble and predictable.
With the Eco, Normal and Sport driving programs, we can also regulate the intensity of the regenerative braking. The driver has two levels: the first with a soft hold, and the second allows you to drive practically without touching the brake. If we get used to it, it is very useful.
And the benefits, with good acceleration from a standstill, are very good. With Sport mode activated the car is more agile, but it also uses more energy. Normal mode is more balanced and is sufficient in most cases. By city, with the Eco mode and regeneration, we can save energy and extend autonomy.
This Design version comes very well equipped. It has a navigation system, voice recognition, integrated applications and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
And safety and driving aids are at the best European level: frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, rear collision warning, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control and intelligent speed limit control or gear change assistant. lane. The 360º panoramic camera for safe maneuvering stands out for its efficiency.
