At less than $50k, the BYOD Atto 3 could redefine your driving experience. This comprehensive review will cover it’s impressive driving and navigation systems, cutting-edge entertainment options, and advanced adaptive cruise control. We’ll cover the Atto 3’s economy and WLTP ratings, along with its charging capabilities and cargo space, ensuring you have all the information you need to make an informed decision about this innovative vehicle. I got to drive the Atto 3 for the day and was impressed with the quality of the car, coming in at under $50,000 it has pretty much all of the features you could expect in an EV.
Design and Build Quality
The BYOD Atto 3 is a well-thought-out combination of aesthetics and functionality. The vehicle’s robust frame and high-quality materials create an impression of durability, while its sleek lines and modern styling give it a contemporary edge. This thoughtful approach ensures that you enjoy both comfort and utility during your drives.
Exterior Features
Design is foremost in the BYOD Atto 3, with distinctive features like LED headlights and a bold front grille. Its aerodynamic silhouette not only enhances visual appeal but also contributes to improved energy efficiency, supporting better economy and a 420km WLTP rating. You’ll appreciate the stylish alloy wheels and color options that let you customize your Atto 3 to suit your personal taste.
Interior Layout
The interior layout reveals a focus on maximising space and comfort. The BYOD Atto 3 features a well-organised cockpit with intuitive controls, providing easy access to necessary functions while driving. Ample headroom and legroom in both the front and rear areas ensure a pleasant experience for you and your passengers.
In addition, the cabin’s thoughtful design incorporates quality materials and finishes, creating a premium feel. Storage solutions are strategically placed throughout, offering convenient places for your personal items. The layout also emphasizes user-friendly technology, allowing you to stay connected with entertainment options and navigational aids easily. As you explore the interior, you’ll find an environment that’s both functional and inviting, enhancing your overall driving experience.
I did find the location of the USB charging ports a little inconvenient, when I eventually found them in under the centre console. The USB-A port was barely powerful enough to maintain charge on my phone. I gave up and had to resort to my portable battery pack to increase the charge in my phone.
Performance and Handling
The BYOD Atto 3’s dynamic performance and handling, make driving enjoyable, but it did slightly underperform other EVs I’ve driven. This electric SUV delivers a smooth ride, whether you navigate city streets or take a long highway drive. With a well-tuned suspension and responsive steering, you can confidently tackle various driving conditions, ensuring you stay engaged behind the wheel. Be careful with sports mode. The Atto3 could do with some bigger tyres. I found that sports mode caused the wheels to spin both in a straight take-off and when entering a roundabout. There’s just a bit too much torque for the tyres to handle.
Engine Specifications
Behind the Atto 3’s robust performance are its impressive engine specifications, featuring a powerful electric motor that generates a striking amount of torque. This translates to swift acceleration and the ability to reach 0 to 100 km/h in a competitive time, as long as you don’t over cook it and cause a wheel spin, which was easy to do in sports mode. Coupled with a battery that supports a decent range, you can expect a driving experience that is both efficient and smooth.
The gear stick is a simple operation, if a little counter intuitive at first. You pull back to engage forward gear (D) and push forward to engage reverse (R). Neutral (N) is a little tricky as you need to push back/forward just enough to get it in the middle, but hopefully N is required very rarely. Park (P) is a simple button press at the base of the gear stick, and auto-engages the parking brake as expected.
Driving Experience
Handling the Atto 3 feels refined and energetic. The vehicle is designed to provide you with a direct connection to the road, giving precise feedback and control. You will appreciate the seamless transition between various driving modes, which enhances your experience on different terrains, making each journey a pleasure.
Performance in the Atto 3 is commendable, as it not only accelerates quickly but also maintains a composed demeanor during cornering. The electric SUV’s low center of gravity contributes to its stability, allowing you to navigate curves with confidence. Enhancing your driving pleasure, the adaptive cruise control (ACC) feature allows for a more relaxed trip, managing speed effortlessly on the highway while you focus on the road ahead. One feature I didn’t like about the ACC is the 5km incrmental changes. I much prefer the 1km increments in more advanced EVs, as it gives better control. On the Atto 3 I drove, the speedo read about 2km high (compared to GPS speed), so the 5km increments only gave me the option of 2km under the speed limit or 3km over, having better increments would allow for setting the exact speed limit if that’s what you prefer.
Technology and Infotainment
It’s great to stay connected and entertained while on the road, and the BYD Atto 3 has some great features in this area. The vehicle features an intuitive infotainment system that integrates seamlessly with your devices, allowing for effortless navigation, streaming, and communication. The advanced technology amplifies your driving experience, keeping you engaged and informed. I was struggling to get enough power out of the USB port to charge my phone, it was barely maintaining the phone’s charge. I have a Google Pixel and wasn’t running anythign particularly power hungry. The phone could not get above 35% after nearly an hour (it started at 33%), so I unplugged and got my powerbank out of my bag, which had me back to 100% fairly quickly.
Display and Controls
The central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, offering vibrant graphics and responsive controls. The layout is user-friendly, allowing you to easily access navigation, audio, and vehicle settings with a few taps, ensuring that you can focus on the road ahead while navigating your infotainment options. There’s a second small display behind the steering wheel, offering up some of the vital information needed for driving. One of my biggest criticisms of the Tesla was the lack of such a display. It’s compact and only has basic information, but the BYD solutioin does go a long way to alleviating this issue.
Connectivity Options
Along with a robust infotainment system, you’ll find features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for almost seamless integration with your smartphone. Wireless Apple and Android connectivity is a definite bonus here.
In addition, the Atto 3 supports Bluetooth and USB connectivity, enabling you to stream music and access your favorite apps on the go. You can effortlessly connect your devices, making hands-free calls or playing your playlists while driving.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems
As you’d expect in an EV, the Atto 3 has an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), which helps you navigate safely in different environments. These systems are engineered to enhance situational awareness and support you during your drives.
Key ADAS Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control | Maintains your speed and adjusts to the traffic ahead. Adjustable in 5km/h increments. |
| Blind Spot Monitoring | Alerts you of vehicles in your blind spots. |
| Lane Keeping Assist | Helps you stay centered in your lane. Can be a litle jerky on the steering wheel. |
| Emergency Braking | Automatically applies brakes to prevent collisions. |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | Detects and displays road signs to assist your driving. |
| Parking Sensors | Alerts you to obstacles while parking. |
Efficiency and Sustainability
Efficiency and sustainability are often key when choosing an electric vehicle, and the BYD Atto 3 delivers in these areas. Its electric powertrain delivers great performance and a reduction in overall emissions. If you focus on utilising renewable energy, you can enjoy a guilt-free driving experience while also benefiting from lower operating costs compared to traditional combustion engines.
Fuel Economy Ratings
An impressive WLTP rating of 420km ensures you can cover long distances without frequent charging interruptions. This makes it an excellent choice for both urban commuting and longer road trips, allowing you to balance efficiency with your travel needs.
Environmental Impact
The BYD Atto 3 is designed with sustainability in mind, featuring materials and processes that minimise ecological footprints. Its electric engine reduces your greenhouse gas emissions significantly compared to traditional vehicles.
Considering the current climate challenges, opting for the BYD Atto 3 aligns your driving habits with a more sustainable future. Electric vehicles like the Atto 3 often use renewable energy sources to charge, thus further lowering your contribution to pollution. Additionally, by supporting manufacturers committed to eco-friendly practices, you actively participate in a shift towards a more responsible automotive industry.
Pricing and Value
The BYD Atto 3 offers an attractive blend of features at its sub-$50k price point, making it a strong contender in the electric vehicle market. With its efficient electric drivetrain, 420km WLTP rating, and extensive list of technology options, you’ll likely find that this model provides excellent value for your investment.
Comparative Models
The Atto 3 is designed to compete directly with the Tesla Model Y, and similar models in the s,mall to medium SUV range. It’s large cargo space, 5 seat capacity and SUV styling make it a great choice for young families, adventurers and those that like to travel.
Summing up
To wrap up, the BYOD Atto 3 offers an impressive blend of features to enhance your driving experience, from its user-friendly navigation system to intuitive entertainment connectivity. Efficient economy and 420km WLTP rating, alongside the convenience of adaptive cruise control for smoother journeys. With ample cargo space, it ensures practicality for most daily needs. Overall, the Atto 3 positions itself as a strong contender in the electric vehicle market, especially for those looking to keep under a $50k budget. Even with a few minor drawbacks, you won’t go far wrong with an Atto 3 for enhancing your driving pleasure and convenience.
