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.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2023 من What Car? UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة June 2023 من What Car? UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Genesis GV60
Does this plush newcomer deserve a slice of the premium electric SUV pie? The verdict is in
BYD Dolphin
Smallest BYD gets a smaller battery and a slimmer price tag to make it more competitive On sale Now Price from £26,195
BMW i5
Our electric executive saloon disproves the notion that battery-powered cars aren't as efficient out of town
Kia EV6
Electric SUV gets a larger battery, revised suspension and a new infotainment system On sale October Price from £45,575
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
Range-topping electric version of Maserati's four-seat coupé packs a 751bhp punch, along with an official range of 280 miles On sale Now Price from £179,950
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Looking for all the world like a shrunken S-Class limo, the latest C-Class executive saloon is a tempting used buy with a major trick up its sleeve
Cupra Terramar
Bigger sister to the Formentor completes Cupra's combustionengined SUV line-up On sale Early 2025 Price from £35,000 (est)
Skoda Kamiq
We're finding out whether this updated small SUV makes a good workhorse for a high-mileage driver
Honda e:Ny1
Should you consider this small electric SUV over a Smart or Volvo EX30? We're living with one to find out
PLUGS RETHINK
It may look radically different from before, but is the latest Toyota Prius a cut above its refreshed plug-in hybrid rival from Volkswagen?