BYD additionally isn’t chasing straight-line efficiency targets, with the Atto 3 accelerating to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds. Leisurely by immediately’s EV requirements, however completely fast sufficient for a automobile like this. Keep in mind, it’s presupposed to be a good-value household automobile designed to fit into your on a regular basis life; too many EVs have the kind of rocketship efficiency that your passengers, canine, and groceries merely received’t stand for. The Atto 3’s acceleration is sufficient, and we’re right here for it.
Vary, after all, is much extra necessary. BYD’s declare of 260 miles (WLTP) is 25 wanting the Kia Niro EV and 23 behind the £45,000/$44,000 Tesla Mannequin Y, however 11 forward of the similarly-priced Škoda Enyaq. Take driving type and temperature under consideration, and you need to anticipate a real-world vary nearer to 220 miles. Not dangerous, however you’ll nonetheless lengthy for sooner charging each time you plug in.
The brakes are high-quality, though the pedal is spongy, and the swap from regenerative braking to utilizing the discs and pads is properly judged. There are two strengths of regeneration to select from, by way of a toggle swap on the middle console or by diving into the touchscreen, however neither is especially robust and, sadly, one-pedal driving isn’t an choice.
This being a brand new automobile constructed to adjust to Europe’s newest security requirements means the same old frustrations are all current and proper. You’re instructed off each time you exceed the pace restrict, even by simply 2 mph, and since the highway signal recognition system makes errors, you’ll generally be scolded by the automobile’s voice assistant when it has misinterpret an indication. Bafflingly, generally the navigation display screen and the driving force show disagree on what the pace restrict is; different occasions they don’t present a restrict in any respect.
There’s no Tesla Autopilot-style hands-off driving, however the Atto 3 nonetheless has lane-keep help amongst different driver help techniques. It often points a little bit of light suggestions in the event you stray over a lane marking, however on two events throughout our 90-minute drive the automobile grabbed the wheel like a panicked driving teacher. The primary time it occurred was an actual shock, because the steering wheel was tugged at for no apparent motive, and, as with these techniques on nearly all new automobiles, the primary intervention crops a seed of doubt that by no means actually goes away. As ever, it’s finest to show these techniques right down to their least invasive setting.
Style of Issues to Come
What to make of the BYD Atto 3? The query might equally be, what to make of the approaching flood of electrical automobiles constructed by Chinese language corporations who’re giants at residence however remarkable within the West?
This isn’t a automobile for driving fans, clearly. And whereas additionally not groundbreaking, the Atto 3 is completely good at being an electrical automobile. It has a enjoyable, spacious, and properly designed inside that’s packed as commonplace with equipment typically hiding within the choices lists of pricier German automobiles.
The touchscreen software program wants some work, and everlasting local weather controls are a should in our guide. Efficiency and vary are each high-quality, and experience high quality is respectable, however we want all that battery experience had resulted in sooner charging.
In the end, the Atto 3 does little to face out from what’s shortly turning into a crowded phase of the EV market. It feels nicely made and represents good worth, however whereas that glittering Mayfair showroom guarantees lots, the unknown badge asks consumers to take a leap of religion.
