Chinese brand has designs on the electric SUV market as its first model hits the UK On sale Now Price from £36,490
Lawrence Cheung lawrence.cheung@haymarket.com
THE ATTO 3 IS from a brand you’re unlikely to know yet. Founded in 1995 as a battery manufacturer, Chinese company BYD has since grown to build all sorts of electric products, from buses to forklifts. And now it’s here with a rival to the Kia Niro EV and MG ZS EV, hoping to make a splash in the fast-growing electric SUV market.
Officially, the Atto 3 will cover 260 miles on a full battery, trailing the Niro EV’s 285 miles and the 273 miles managed by the MG ZS EV Long Range. With a maximum charging rate of 88kW, its 60.5kWh battery can be topped up from 10-80% in about three-quarters of an hour. For reference, that’s about the same as the Niro EV’s charging time and a bit longer than the ZS EV’s.
Under the Atto 3’s bonnet is a 201bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels. It’s good for a 0-62mph time of 7.3sec, which is on a par with the Niro EV. However, whereas some electric cars deliver their power in one big hit when you put your foot down from rest, the Atto 3 meters out it in a calmer way.
There are two levels of regenerative braking, which recover energy to top up the battery as you lift off the accelerator, but neither is strong enough to bring the car fully to a halt. However, the brakes are meaty and consistent in their response, so it’s easy to come to a stop smoothly – not always the case in electric cars.
As for handling, the Atto 3’s steering feels satisfyingly weighty, if not super-direct, and the relatively firm suspension does a pretty good job of keeping body lean in check. So, while this SUV isn’t the most engaging to drive, it’s composed enough in most circumstances.
The ride isn’t the smoothest, either; the suspension does a good job of isolating occupants from larger bumps, but the Atto 3 can struggle to settle down at higher speeds. The Niro EV, which has softer suspension, is comfier. There is a fair amount of road noise above town speeds, too, especially on coarse surfaces, but wind noise is low, a flutter from the door mirrors being the most prominent.
While the exterior design is smart if undistinguished, the interior is far more eye-catching. The dashboard has a swooping look and is said to be inspired by equipment at a gym; details include a kettlebell-handle gear selector and a contoured centre armrest that recalls a treadmill. Most of the materials used are of a premium quality, too; it all feels robust and there are soft-touch surfaces on the tops of the dashboard
