Owner review: 2022-2023 BYD Atto 3 Extended Range

Craig, a retired electrical engineer in his 60s from the Central Tablelands of NSW, shares his experience with the BYD Atto 3, which he has now driven 20,000km in.  

I am not a car enthusiast. I purchase cars for transport that meet criteria needed for day-to-day usage. I am however a retired electronic engineer, so an electric car was a no-brainer for us once the cost fell below $50,000, and the vehicle had enough ground clearance for our property.

The BYD Atto 3 was a replacement for a 2 litre Suzuki 4x4 SX 2012 model. Price was the most important factor but my wife and I also liked the overall look and feel of the vehicle.

We didn't consider any other cars in the segment as at the time this was the only vehicle that was under $50,000 and therefore met our budget.

Most charging is done at home during the night on a controlled load. We rewired the house to install a charger in the car port. Due to delays in delivery of the vehicle (ordered March, delivered November) the electrical work was completed and waiting before the vehicle arrived.

While travelling, we use DC fast chargers. We live in Lithgow, and have travelled to Dubbo a number of times, plus to Mudgee, Armidale, Lake Macquarie, Hawks Nest and Brisbane, in addition to numerous trips to various parts of Sydney.

A year ago, NRMA was the only choice of DC Charging in the Central tablelands available to us. (Tesla had built chargers at Bathurst and Dubbo, but these were not open to other makes of vehicle until recently.)

On our Dubbo trip we used the Mudgee 50kW charger, and the Dubbo 50kW charger. In Armidale, to attend the NRMA EV Drive Day, we used the Mudgee 180kW charger, a Gunnedah 50kW charger and for the first time, a destination charger at the motel (Cedar Lodge Motel, Armidale), the cost of which was included in the room payment (so effectively free).

When travelling to Brisbane, we travelled at 100km/h to maximise range and reduce charging frequency. The total time taken for the round trip increased by 6.35 hours for charging, but in most of these stops we did the usual break in driving stuff: coffee, food, toilet.

Stops included at the Taree South Evie Networks 180kW charger, the Thrumster NRMA 50kW charger and the Tyndale 180kW Evie Networks charger. On the return journey, we also stopped at Lawson Evie Networks 50kW charger for a small boost due to climbing the mountains (it was not needed on the way.)

DC charging yes, AC charging no. BYD pulled its 11kW three phase internal charger for the AU/NZ market and installed a 7kW single phase charger. I would have liked to see a 22kW three phase charger on board so that those with three phase power could take full advantage.

Range has not been an issue, infrastructure availability is the major issue. This means that on some trips (e.g. Lithgow-Armidale) we travel a slightly longer route to ensure we arrive at a charger with a reserve.

So in the example given above, Lithgow, Mudgee, Gunnedah, Armidale (540km) instead of Lithgow, Scone, Armidale (521km) as Lithgow - Scone at 271km was close to the 330km range we use as a highway range, and did not leave enough in reserve should the NRMA charger at Scone be unavailable to reach an alternative.

We find the vehicle comfortable and have noted that driving it does not tire us as quickly as the previous vehicle did when travelling longer distances.

It handles as expected for a family vehicle, and I have always felt safe when driving the vehicle.

We (my wife and I) love the styling of the ATTO 3, but do recognise that the following features create polarising opinions:

• Full name badging on rear (Build Your Dreams)
• Interior trim
• Batman Tyres

The amount of tech and safety features included has been a steep learning curve, and has taken some getting used too.

I now drive a number of different modern vehicles for a community transport group, and this vehicle exceeds all of them in features.

I do note that some features available in other vehicles have been implemented in a better manner than the ATTO 3.

My wife has a list of likes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Voice command (stops the distraction of finding the button on the screen)
• Sun roof
• Disco (ambient) lighting

Dislikes:

• Our previous vehicle had a hinged panel over the lower section of the boot area, this vehicle has a single cover for the whole space. Although I don’t care about the ambient lighting, the addition of blind spot detection is a great feature for me to add to this list.
• The lack of a spare wheel concerns me for regional travel, where mobile phones refuse to work and help is often hours away.
• The mapping software lacks support: navigation is under contract to BYD, but BYD is not updating maps
• Music software needs attention to features: both mapping and music appear to be pushed to Android Auto or Apple Carplay by BYD (EV Direct), but travelling in regional NSW soon shows that internet connected services are not reliable

Very good value, given that the features are not included in some more expensive vehicles.

There have been no issues at all. As a new manufacturer in Australia, the distance to accredited maintenance is an issue, as is the reluctance of small garages to take on the necessary training is slowing the availability of maintenance choice (so that warranty is maintained.)

Maintenance costs so far have been $0, and the first 20,000km service will also be free, normally $189, due to the order date. Electricity costs (all charging) so far have been $663.32, or $3.42/100km.

This review has been edited for clarity, however opinions expressed herein are those of the EV owner/reviewer and not the NRMA.