Complete Guide to Buying a BYD Atto 3

BYD, or Build Your Dreams, entered the Indian market offering a more affordable alternative to the luxury electric cars from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW. The second car from the Chinese brand in India was the BYD Atto 3 compact electric SUV that established BYD’s presence among private car owners. If you are considering your options in the compact SUV space and are open to buying an electric car, then, the Atto 3 is a car you should definitely check out as it offers great space, features and performance. In this guide, we have compiled all the information you should know about the Atto 3 before finalising your buying decision.

BYD Atto 3 Specifications

BYD Atto 3 Variants

The BYD Atto 3 is offered in three variants. The base Dynamic variant is offered with the smaller 49.92 kWh battery pack. It also misses out on some premium features like Level 2 ADAS, ambient lighting and an electrically operable tailgate. Furthermore, it only features a 6 speaker audio system compared to the 8 speaker setup found on higher variants. The mid spec Premium variant is offered with a bigger 60.48 kWh battery pack along with features such as 18 inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, electric tailgate, 8 speaker sound system and 80kW DC fast charging. The top spec Superior variant gets adaptive LED headlights and Level 2 ADAS over the Premium variant.

Best BYD Atto 3 Variant to Buy

All three variants of the Atto 3 offer value. The base Dynamic variant of the electric SUV is great for urban dwellers who wish to add a second car to the garage which also is an EV. The added features and range on the Premium variant of the BYD Atto 3 make it the best all around variant of the SUV and it offers great value for your money. The top spec Superior variant of the Atto 3 is aimed at those who prefer a fully-loaded experience in their cars.

BYD Atto 3 Warranty and Service Cost

BYD offers a different warranty for specific parts of the Atto 3. The battery pack is covered by a 8 years / 1,60,000 km warranty. The electric motor is covered by a 8 years / 1,50,000 km warranty. The rest of the components pertaining to the electric powertrain are covered by a 6 years / 150,000 km warranty. Most other features of the Atto 3 are covered by a 3 years / 1,25,000 km warranty.

BYD also offers an extended warranty for the vehicle and the electric powertrain. The extended warranty for the general vehicle is approximately priced between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 60,000, depending upon when you buy it. As for the electric powertrain, an additional mileage of 40,000 km can be added to the warranty coverage for a price of Rs. 56,980. Additionally, buyers can also opt for adding 90,000 km to the standard warranty for Rs. 67,893. The extended warranty only adds to the total mileage, and not the number of years, which remains fixed at 8 years.

BYD India has not officially disclosed the service cost for the Atto 3. However, the BYD Atto 3 is also sold in Malaysia and a 3 year / 60,000 km standard service package is priced at RM 1688 (approx. Rs. 35,000).

Why should you consider the BYD Atto 3

The BYD Atto 3 is a versatile electric SUV and offers many great advantages. Take a look at the reasons why you should consider it:

Range

The BYD Atto 3 does well to remove range anxiety from the equation. It is offered with an option of two battery packs. According to the ARAI, both battery packs offer a range of more than 400 km on a single charge, with the bigger battery pack capable of delivering 521 km. The real world range will depend on your driving style, but even with that considered the BYD Atto 3 offers an operating range that rivals most ICE cars. Therefore, if you regularly undertake highway journeys, the Atto 3 makes great sense. If you only use it for city commutes, you will have to charge it less frequently.

Performance

EVs are known for their performance and the Atto 3 is no exception. It is capable of going from 0 – 100 kmph in just 7.2 seconds. That’s quick for a compact EV that has a kerb weight of 1750 kg. Furthermore, irrespective of the battery pack that you choose, the performance is the same. Hence, even the base Dynamic variant is capable of offering the same intense acceleration that the top spec Superior variant is capable of, which is not often the case with other electric vehicles.

Interior

The interior of the BYD Atto 3 is modern, luxurious and offers a highly comfortable environment for passengers. The Chinese carmaker has infused a sense of sportiness in the cabin, while retaining an airy ambience. It’s a delicate balance, which not many car makers are able to achieve. The seats feature synthetic leather and do a great job of keeping the occupants comfortable. The second row occupants will also find that they have a lot of space on offer, and even taller passengers will find themselves sitting in comfort. 

Features

The BYD Atto 3 is stuffed to the gills with features. The centre stage is taken by a 12.8 inch touchscreen, which can rotate to orient itself horizontally or vertically. Other premium features include a panoramic sunroof, heated ORVMs, 360 degree camera and CN95 and PM 2.5 air filters.  A CN95 air filter can filter particles up to PM 0.3, and is used to filter tiny germs and bacteria in the air. The BYD Atto 3 is also stacked with the latest safety features including 7 airbags, ESP and Level 2 ADAS.

Why should you not consider the BYD Atto 3

While the BYD Atto 3 offers many reasons why one should consider it, there is also one major reason why some people might want give it a miss:

No Spare Wheel

The Atto 3 does not get a spare wheel, and is instead supplied with a tyre puncture kit. While this is not a problem in cities and on all major highways, it can become a problem in remote regions where puncture repair shops aren’t always nearby. In such a situation, one must know how to repair a tyre puncture, and should also be carrying an air pump to fill the tyre with air. Furthermore, in the event of a tyre burst, you will be stuck until help arrives.

Summary

The BYD Atto 3 offers high levels of practicality, modern features, and a sense of luxury at a fair price point. BYD’s battery technology is also considered among the best in the EV industry, and that is highly evident in the range of the Atto 3. With three variants on offer, the Atto 3 also offers the ability to pick and choose a variant that’s suitable for one’s purpose and with BYD looking to cement its network in India, the Atto 3 has the potential to become its best selling model.

FAQs about BYD Atto 3