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On this test drive of the upgraded 2024 BYD Atto 3, which now also comes in Cosmos Black, I couldn’t help but recall a popular saying. You know the one: once you go black, you really begin to like the colour… or something along those lines. In almost every context, things look more premium when it comes in black. That is just the way it goes, I don’t make the rules.
This holds for the BYD Atto 3 because a cosmetic upgrade alone has completely changed the persona of the car. The BYD Atto 3 was, and is, a good-looking car. But, in the stunning Cosmos Black shade, it looks significantly better. Luckily, if you’re not looking for a car in black, the 2024 BYD Atto 3 also comes in Ski White, Surf Blue, and Boulder Grey.
However, in black, the Atto 3 shuns its homely, family car aesthetics, and adorns an almost menacing persona. It has gone from your average bargoer cracking jokes and exchanging stories, to a mysterious man in a crisp suit, quietly sipping a neat single malt.
Look at it, and you immediately feel like you’re looking at a better car. While it isn’t a completely new car, there are noteworthy differences with the new BYD Atto 3. The most noticeable change is the availability of this deep dark colour tone, but if you look closely, you will also notice the slightly slimmer Crystal LED combination headlights. The satin finish that runs across the front adds a premium touch.
The alloy wheels with the aggressive cuts look sporty, and the 18-inch Continental tyres (17 inches on the Advanced Variant) fill out the wheel arches well. BYD has committed to the all-black persona with the blacked-out D-pillar trims and the black window trims. The one-piece all LED through-type taillights round out the exterior changes of the BYD Atto 3.
Inside, the cabin is familiar but there are notable changes here as well. The most apparent change is the colour of the interior. Keeping in tune with the exteriors, the new Atto 3 showcases a dark blue and black colour way which we think looks very sophisticated.
Having dark-coloured interiors usually makes the cabin of the car feel slightly cramped. This is not the case with the Atto 3. For one thing, the cabin is properly spacious with plenty of leg room and headroom for all passengers with a number of useful storage spaces. Secondly, the massive panoramic sunroof floods the cabin with light, making it feel very airy and open.
Their rhythmic, sport and fitness-inspired elements, like the quirky strings on the door trims, dumbbell-style air vents, and grip-style door handles remain the same. While many people do like this style, it isn’t something I have particularly grown to love. Maybe it’s because I’m not the fitness junky BYD expects me to be.
I do like the increased size of the touchscreen unit, which is now 15.6 inches. If you already have a large screen in your car, why not make it bigger? This has been the latest fad in all cars lately, and big screens seem to have become the gauge by which many customers determine the value of the car. If that is the case for you, you will also like its party trick: it rotates 90 degrees so that you can have the screen in portrait mode if you want it.
Thankfully, the Atto 3 is not a one-trick pony. There are several other features and elements that it has to boast of. It has things like a 6-way powered driver seat, heated electric ORVMs, a wireless phone charger, multi-colour ambient lighting, a powered tailgate, and ventilated front seats. And it goes without saying, the dials and buttons on the centre console are always welcome.
For safety, the vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive suite of ADAS features, a 360-degree camera, an electronic stability program, seven airbags, ABS with EBD, a tire pressure monitoring system, ISOFIX mounts, and hill descent control.
The driving dynamics have not changed. You get a 100kw motor and an option of either a 49.92kWh battery (Advanced Variant) or a 60.48 kWh (Superior Variant) battery. The two batteries return a claimed range of 345km and 420 km on WLTP parameters.
The 310 Nm of torque from the motor is always eager and immediate when you engage your right foot. It is difficult to get tired of the instant electric torque that you get with electric vehicles, and it can be addictive.
Overtaking is a cinch with the Atto 3, and it does make for some thrilling driving experiences at times. I remember driving the Atto 3 up the hills of Sindhuli and having a quite joyful experience. My rear passengers did feel a little queasy because I got a little carried away with my driving and the body roll started making them feel slightly nauseous.
They have put a lot of time and effort into the development of their e-platform 3.0 and their blade battery which is renowned for its safety and efficiency. So, what you get with the Atto 3 and other BYD cars is this assurance. On the Atto 3, you get a promised charging time of 0% to 80% in just 50 minutes and a driving mileage of more than 500,000 kilometers.
And there is more good news for BYD owners and buyers in Nepal. BYD has launched their very own app, which makes life easier and more modern. There are a lot of things you can do with the app, such as checking the battery levels, range, and real-time location of the car. However, the ones that I think are extremely useful are the function to remotely turn on the AC and activate the horn and lights from the app. There are few greater joys in life than entering a cooled car on a hot summer day; being able to easily locate your car in a packed parking lot is also pretty cool.
This is BYD’s move to maintain the status quo of the EV market in Nepal. Priced at Rs. 56.90 Lakhs for the Advanced variant and Rs. 67.80 Lakhs for the Superior variant, the Atto 3 is still the apple of the eye for EV enthusiasts.
The value proposition of the Atto 3 in Nepal’s EV market is evident. It brings a blend of performance, practicality, and technology, all wrapped up in a package that feels genuinely premium. And with the introduction of the new app, BYD has taken things a step further, making ownership even more convenient and connected. It’s a clear indication that BYD isn’t just resting on its laurels but is continually striving to improve the user experience.
So, if you’re in the market for an electric SUV, the 2024 BYD Atto 3 should be on your shortlist.
