BYD Atto 3: from the metro to the mountains

Indeed, many Filipino car buyers are now more open to owning electric vehicles (EV). However, range anxiety (and the lack of charging stations outside the Metro) have held back adopters from switching to a more sustainable means of moving.

To dispel any misconceptions about the range EV models — specifically the BYD Atto 3 — can offer, the local arm of the Chinese car brand took members of the motoring media on a two-day trip (from Bonifacio Global City to Baguio) that saw the crossover showcase its many features.

More than enough battery

Powering the BYD Atto 3 is a 60-kilowatt Blade battery that can offer as much as 480 kilometers (km) of emissions-free driving.

True enough, the journey from the brand’s newly-opened dealership in Bonifacio Global City to The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay required us to cover some 271km of driving. The road not only involved long, flat straights but also ascending thoroughfares that led to the Summer Capital of the Philippines.

With just one quick stop at Shell Mobility in Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, Rosario (just to showcase the recharging capabilities of the BYD Atto 3), we arrived in Baguio still with 23 percent on the bar.

The BYD Atto 3 was put through its paces, and the changing terrains have tested the capacity of the carmaker’s Blade battery. Nevertheless, it proved to have stood successfully against the challenge and showed the meticulous participants that when it comes to range, the crossover can do more than the average EV.

On our way home, we left the venue with our car carrying an 80-percent charge. Since we were now driving down, the regenerative braking feature of the BYD Atto 3 played a major part in maintaining the battery level of the crossover.

We were basically “putting fuel back into the tank” by hitting on the brakes as we descended the mountain province. At one point, before making our way to the North Luzon Expressway, the battery bar increased to five more percent.

Power delivery, handling

The BYD Atto 3 is fairly quick to accelerate since it bypasses the process of converting fuel to power through combustion. On that note, it is said to reach 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill in just 7.3 seconds.

Energy from the aforementioned Blade battery is sent to the permanent magnet synchronous motor, which propels the front-wheel drive crossover. On paper, the BYD Atto 3 is said to make as much as 201 horses with 310 Newton-meters of torque.

The five-seater crossover ferried four full-sized male adults with luggage but was still able to deliver ample power. Behind the wheel, the BYD Atto 3 did not feel like it lacked the “oomph” one gets when driving internal combustion engine-powered vehicles — therefore giving the driver confidence that it can muster the force to take one from point A to point B with ease.

Brakes for the BYD Atto 3 include ventilated discs at the front and solid discs at the rear. In unison the setup allowed for decent deceleration on various driving conditions, which bolstered our confidence when taking on bends and hairpins the popular Asin road had to throw at us.

Speaking of which, the BYD Atto 3 handled admirably thanks to its McPherson strut suspension at the front and multi-link setup at the rear. The placement of the BYD Blade battery also gave the crossover great balance and kept it planted to the ground without taking away its dexterity.

Passive, active safety features

The BYD Atto 3 packs a robust list of safety features — both active and passive.

These safety technologies include a slew of airbags, seat belts for all passengers, an anti-lock brake system, an electric parking brake, electronic stability control, traction control, electronic brake-force distribution, hill descent control, a rear-view camera, and a 360-degree view monitor.

It also gets advanced driver-assist features like adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, blind spot detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assist.

Looks, features

Outside, the BYD Atto 3 flaunts a beautiful exterior with an elegant and minimalist vibe.

At the fore is the brand’s emblem flanked by a pair of LED headlamps. The fascia boasts a clean look with just a black trim breaking the solid backdrop due to the lack of a typical grille found on conventional combustion cars.

The side profile is also plain and simple but boasts the proper ratio of curves and straight lines. Notably, it gets a pair of roof rails, black wheel arches, black accents of the door trims, black appliques on the side mirrors, and blacked out B- and C-pillars. Chrome elements surround the windows as well as provide a beautiful highlight to the side of the EV.

It gets a set of 18-inch alloy wheels with stock 215/55 tires.

At the back, the BYD Atto 3 gets beautiful LED tail lamps connected by a long LED light bar, reflectors at the bottom side, and a diffuser. It also features an electric tailgate, which could be helpful when loading up groceries, a week’s worth of laundry, or other items with just a simple push of a button located above the license plate.

Those making their way inside the cabin will be greeted by chairs swathed in synthetic leather. The same imitation hide covers the BYD Atto 3’s multi-functional steering wheel, part of its door trims, dashboard, and center console.

Past the aforementioned steering wheel is a five-inch digital instrument cluster accompanied by a rotating infotainment system that measures 12.8 inches. The touchscreen infotainment screen has Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity features as well as Bluetooth functions.

We were not able to try it out, but it seems that the BYD Atto 3 has its own built in voice assistant.

Should its occupants feel the need to get closer to nature, the crossover has a large panoramic sunroof that opens up nicely. This would work well for when driving at night in the countryside or for when one wants to take a whiff of the sea breeze on a Sunday morning. A CN95 air filter is included as standard to preserve air quality inside the cabin after the windows and the sunroof has been opened.

There are plenty of charging options for the passengers of the BYD Atto 3. Those sitting at the front get a wireless charger, a USB type A, and USB type C ports. Meanwhile, the people occupying the second row gets USB type A and USB type C ports for charging handheld devices on the go. So, there will be no shortage of keeping the passengers entertained whether it’s to browse on their phones or to play on their portable consoles.

Final thoughts

Overall, the BYD Atto 3 answers the primary needs of any car buyer. It ticks all the right boxes for both short and long trips either with friends or family.

The BYD Atto 3 is offered in two variants: Dynamic and Premium. Respectively, they are priced at P1.598 million and P1.798 million.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

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