• One power output available
• Front-wheel drive, sprightly acceleration
• Overall, a relaxed performer

What power options are there?

The Atto 3 is based on BYD’s latest pure-electric platform and powered by a middling 60.5kWh battery pack which is good for an official maximum range of 260 miles. That’s around 20 miles less than you get from the Skoda Enyaq and the Kia Niro EV, but it should still be more than enough for most owners’ needs.

The battery sends power to a 204hp electric motor mounted on the front axle. It performs well – the Atto 3 is noticeably faster than the equivalent Enyaq or Volkswagen ID.4, with a 0–62mph time of 7.3 seconds and feels it. Top speed is capped at 99mph, which average for the sector.  

We found it surprisingly fun, but probably not for the right reasons. After a brief hesitation it accelerates with conviction up to the national speed limit, with enough power to clumsily trigger the traction control as it attempts to fight wheelspin if you’re not careful. It’s not as sporty feeling as an MG4 EV or Cupra Born, with a more effortless power delivery that suits its relaxed driving experience.

Our New Cars Editor Alan Taylor-Jones (below) summed it up in his long-term test, ‘This wheel fight when accelerating is especially pronounced on heavily cambered roads, of which there are plenty where I live in the Fens. It’s not uncomfortable as you lope along on the soft suspension, but it’s a very different sensation to the tightly damped suspension of European rivals. It’s not particularly sharp in the bends as a result, but that’s fine when my wife and son are in the car.’

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What’s it like to drive?

• Biased towards ride comfort
• Excellent brakes
• Lack of steering feel

BYD has made the Atto 3’s suspension quite soft, and our overriding impression is that there’s noticeable amount of bodyroll in the corners. But that’s not such a bad thing in car primarily designed to work as family transport. Grip levels are more than acceptable and the handling doesn’t seem to have any nasty vices. It’s not something you’ll yearn to drive, but it’s also perfectly agreeable when you’re being sensible.

The brakes impressed us. They’re very strong and BYD has ironed out the transition from regenerative braking to friction braking well. Unlike some cars in this class, there’s no step in the changeover. On the other hand, the steering feels a bit numb around the straight ahead but is precise enough when you start cornering. Rivals such as the Enyaq are better here, but no electric SUV generates a great deal of feedback.

That’s partially because the Atto 3 is one of the comfier electric SUVs at this price point. The suspension thumps and thuds away over ridges and potholes, but the noise is almost always more severe than the shock felt. Only a slight sensation we found is a head rocking motion when passing over undulating roads. It could be annoying, but it’s gentle enough not to be too bothersome for us.

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