BYD ATTO 3 EVO EV Turns Up the Heat with a Guitar Solo
BYD has listened to customer feedback and introduced significant improvements to the ATTO 3 model, less than three years after its initial launch. The upgraded ATTO 3 Evo retains its musical door pocket strings and quirky touches while delivering enhanced performance and features. This new version marks a major revamp, offering a choice between rear-wheel and four-wheel drive, increased range, faster charging, and hot-hatch-beating capabilities, positioning it as a hot SUV in the electric vehicle market.
Sleeker Styling and Upmarket Interior
At first glance, the visual changes to the Evo are subtle but effective. The dimensions remain unchanged, but BYD has sharpened the SUV's muscular profile with revised front and rear bumpers, slimmer side skirts, new 18-inch alloy wheels, and a sportier rear roof spoiler. Additional features include a powered tailgate, privacy glass, and a panoramic sunroof on the Excellence models. The interior is comfortable, solid, and well-engineered, with decent rear head and legroom, though the sloping shape may restrict headroom for taller passengers. The gym-inspired styling has been refined, and the gear selector has moved to the steering column, freeing up space. Twin displays feature a new 8.8-inch digital instrument panel and a large 15.6-inch central touchscreen that rotates between portrait and landscape.
Electric Performance and Practicality
The ATTO 3 Evo delivers instant pace via a larger 74.8kWh Blade Battery. The Design model's rear motor offers 309bhp and 380Nm, a significant step up from the original's 201bhp, and can hit 60mph in around 5.5 seconds. The dual motors on the Excellence produce 443bhp and rocket the car to 60mph in under four seconds, a performance once considered supercar territory. Drivers can choose from Sport, Normal, Economy, or Snow modes, with the rear-drive balance feeling more composed than the original. Tested on challenging roads in the Cotswolds, the stiffer chassis and upgraded rear suspension smooth out potholes and bumps, providing a comfortable ride with good steering feedback. Claimed range is 316 miles for the Design and 292 miles for the Excellence, with a new 800V architecture allowing for 220kW charging, enabling a 10-80% top-up in just 25 minutes. Boot space has increased by 50 litres to 490 litres, and a new 95-litre front 'frunk' is perfect for storing charging cables.
Safety, Warranty, and Quirky Features
Safety kit includes a full suite of airbags, autonomous emergency braking, hill-start and descent control, and lane-keep assist. BYD backs the vehicle with a six-year, 93,750-mile warranty, plus eight years or 155,350 miles for the battery. Notably, the door pockets still play guitar licks, adding a fun and unique touch to the driving experience. The ATTO 3 Evo has matured but retains its playful spirit, making it a compelling option in the competitive EV market.
