Introducing the BYD ATTO 3: Everything you need to know

Everything you need to know about the BYD ATTO 3

Gone are the days when electric vehicle (EV) adopters had a short list of cars to choose from – and not many of them were that good. And if the ones that were genuinely good, they were far too expensive for the majority of us.

But times, as they say, are a-changin'.

There is a plethora of phenomenal EVs to choose from already, but BYD are bringing something a little different to our shores. And by different, we mean they're absolutely smashing it.

Just a few short years after arriving in the UK, BYD has done what seemed impossible – overtaking Tesla in monthly sales. In May 2025, they registered over 3,000 new vehicles, five times more than the same period in 2023, leaving Tesla trailing behind with just 2,000 registrations

This isn't just beginners' luck either.

BYD is the world's largest manufacturer of EVs, with over 1.8 million EVs produced globally in 2022 alone.

The BYD ATTO 3 was their first venture into the UK market and helped establish the foundation for their remarkable growth. Let's take a closer look at the car that started it all.

Who is BYD?

With their name actually standing for 'Build Your Dreams', BYD have big ambitions.

They're no scrappy upstart either.

BYD Auto is already one of China's biggest EV manufacturers, and they sold nearly a million electric cars last year – which is more than even Tesla. In fact, they've now overtaken Tesla in UK monthly sales, with over 3,000 new vehicles registered in May 2025 alone.

But BYD isn't just a car manufacturer

Starting life in 1995 as an electric battery manufacturer, BYD have branched out into the EV world and now build cars, vans, trucks and buses. This battery expertise gives them a serious edge – they're one of the few manufacturers who control their entire supply chain, from battery cells to finished vehicles.

In fact, if you've ever taken the bus in London, you've likely unknowingly ridden a BYD vehicle already, due to their partnership with bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis Ltd.

And they're constantly innovating. Their recently announced Super e-Platform charging system promises to deliver 240 miles of range in just five minutes – potentially revolutionising how we think about EV charging times.

This comes at a perfect time with the 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars approaching.

But enough about BYD themselves, more about their first UK car.

BYD ATTO 3 overview

BYD is the whole package: the company can build not just the car, but the battery, motor, electronics, software, and even those all-important semi-conductor chips that wreaked such havoc in the automotive industry a few years back.

This means that BYD can have a brand-new ATTO 3 in your hands with shorter lead times than many competitors – no mean feat when you consider the wait times on many factory-order vehicles.

But is the BYD ATTO 3 worth it?

We think so, though the competition has certainly heated up since its launch.

The first car to be built on BYD's e-Platform 3.0 (which has spun off several other models now available in the UK), the BYD ATTO 3 might seem relatively unambitious at first glance for such an ambitious manufacturer.

It's a FWD EV with a 60.4kWh Blade Battery and a WLTP Comb range of 261 miles, though real-world testing shows you're looking at more like 190-200 miles in typical driving. City dwellers get a better deal with up to 351 miles possible.

The ATTO 3 has upped its charging game since launch too. Early models got 88kW DC charging, but newer models now support speedier 110kW charging. This means you can juice up from 10-80% in about 35 minutes – just enough time for a coffee break.

The exterior isn't as funky as some other offerings, nor futuristic like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Kia EV6. But it is practical and functional.

The interior, on the other hand, is a completely different story.

Have you ever stepped inside a gym and thought 'this would make a fantastic car cabin'?

No?

Well, BYD have.

Both the doorhandles and the gear selector are built to look like barbells, and the air vents are the plates you hang on them.

But this isn't the only fun feature BYD have designed: the door pockets have guitar string sides, and you can even play a tune on them, if you wish. Might make stop-start traffic pass that little bit quicker.

You could even become the next Beethoven with your car symphonies.

It's not just fun, either. The ATTO 3 is practical, with 440 litres of boot space with the seats up, expanding to 1,338 litres with them folded down. Perfect for everything from supermarket shops to IKEA runs.

However, it's the tech where BYD really shines. 

The rotating touchscreen (12.8" on Comfort, 15.6" on Design) switches between portrait and landscape at the touch of a button. The Blade Battery technology is extremely advanced, designed to take up less space, provide greater efficiency, and offer improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

It also doesn't need cobalt, the least environmentally-friendly material generally used in EV batteries. Which is good news for those who want to take out an electric car lease, but still have qualms about just how eco-friendly electric cars really are.

One standout feature is the vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, letting you use the car's battery to power external devices – perfect for camping trips or even as emergency power during outages.

When it comes to speccing your BYD ATTO 3 lease, you've now got two options:

• Comfort trim (from £37,705) includes a 12.8" rotating touchscreen, LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, 18" alloy wheels, vegan leather seats, electric front seats, heat pump, V2L capability, and wireless smartphone charging.
• Design trim (from £39,705) adds a larger 15.6" rotating touchscreen, electric tailgate, ventilated front seats, multi-colour ambient lighting, and a PM2.5 air purification system.

Safety credentials are impressive too, with the ATTO 3 scoring a full five-star Euro NCAP rating; 91% for adult protection and 89% for child safety.

While competitors like the Kia EV3 and SKODA Elroq have entered the market at lower price points, the BYD ATTO 3 remains a compelling package with its combination of distinctive design, practical features, and comprehensive equipment.

BYD's expanding UK lineup and future plans

BYD certainly aren't ones for sitting on their laurels.

What began with the ATTO 3 in 2023 has quickly blossomed into a comprehensive range covering multiple market segments. In just a few short years, BYD has captured 2% of all UK car sales. They set an ambitious goal to reach 90 dealer network locations by September 2025 – which they surpassed, reaching 100 dealers in just 29 months.

Their lineup now includes the compact DOLPHIN hatchback, recently expanded with the affordable DOLPHIN SURF variant - the brand's most attainable and arguably most attractive offering to date.

For urban SUV buyers, the newly released ATTO 2 brings BYD's signature technology to a smaller package. Starting from just over £30,000 OTR, it offers impressive equipment levels, a choice of two battery sizes (51kWh or 65kWh), and up to 261 miles of range (WLTP Comb).

The rotating 12.8-inch touchscreen, panoramic glass roof, and wireless smartphone integration all come standard, while the six-year vehicle warranty and eight-year battery coverage provide extra peace of mind.

Those seeking premium performance can opt for the SEAL saloon, recently updated with a revamped interior and advanced LiDAR system for enhanced autonomous driving.

The family-friendly SEAL U caters to those needing more space with both pure electric and plug-in hybrid options, becoming BYD's top-selling model in the UK so far in 2025.

The latest addition is the SEALION 7, a stylish electric SUV starting from £47,000 that competes directly with the Tesla Model Y and MG IM6, offering up to 311 miles of range (WLTP Comb) on the Excellence trim.

And BYD isn't slowing down. The brand will introduce several more models before the end of 2026:

The SEAL 06 estate car and saloon will launch before the end of 2025, alongside the SEAL 05 – another BMW 3 Series-sized saloon. Both will feature plug-in hybrid powertrains, with the SEAL 05 positioned as an entry-level option and the SEAL 06 as a more premium offering.

A plug-in hybrid "DM-i" version of the ATTO 2 is confirmed for 2026, which will give it a unique advantage over all-electric rivals like the Volvo EX30 and Kia EV3.

Three more yet-unnamed models are scheduled for 2026, with potential candidates including the sporty SEAL 06 GT hatchback and the intriguing SHARK hybrid pickup truck. With 435bhp and an impressive 62 miles of electric-only range (WLTP Comb), the SHARK could offer a compelling alternative to Ford's popular Ranger.

Meanwhile, the ATTO 3 that started it all is due for a facelift, with leaked images suggesting a sharper look more in line with the newer ATTO 2.

And with their revolutionary Super e-Platform charging system promising to deliver 240 miles of range in just five minutes, they could successfully eliminate a major barrier to EV adoption – range anxiety.

From unknown challenger to established competitor in just a couple of years – BYD's journey has only just begun.

Keep an eye out for what BYD do next – we are ready for more of their innovative genius.