BYD Atto 3
BYD Atto 3 Pros:
• A proper electric car that's built on a dedicated EV platform (and not an IC-engine convert)
• Well-rounded product that looks good, has a nice cabin and good space too
• Green image & zero tailpipe emissions appeal to the environmentally conscious
• Punchy motor offers fast performance. 0-100 km/h time of 7.3 seconds is enjoyable!!
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes allow you to extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• ~400-km range is adequate for urban commuting as well as the usual road-tripping with family
• Low running costs & cheaper long-term maintenance (as is the case with all EVs)
• An excellent city car. Smooth driving experience, good low-speed ride quality, and easy to drive
• 8-year / 1,60,000 km battery warranty, 8-year / 1,50,000 km warranty on motor, 6 years roadside assistance, and more
• Features such as the vehicle-to-load function (AC power for appliances), 12.8-inch touchscreen, panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, NFC key card, etc.
• 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Safety kit includes 7 airbags, level 2 ADAS features, a 360-degree camera, ESP etc.
BYD Atto 3 Cons:
• Expensive! The Atto 3 is premium priced at 35 - 37 lakhs OTR
• Funky interior design may not be to everyone's liking
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking. This is not doable for many people
• Comfort-oriented suspension setup offers nothing for the enthusiasts
• Lack of charging infrastructure limits long-distance / highway usability
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, rain-sensing wipers, connected car tech, spare wheel (!!!!!), wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay…
• 8-speaker sound system is ordinary for the price
• Single variant on offer. No cheaper entry-level variants to choose from
• A relatively new brand in India (although BYD is huge globally), so long-term reliability & after-sales service quality are unknowns
• Dealer network is currently tiny (~20 dealers across India only)
Link to Review 2022 MG ZS EV
MG ZS EV Pros:
• One of the most sorted EVs in India! Drive it and you'll be a convert
• A well-built car with good interiors
• Green image & zero tailpipe emissions appeal to the environmentally conscious
• Fast performance and excellent mid-range. 0-100 km/h run of 8.5 seconds is enjoyable
• Selectable regenerative braking and drive modes help you extract maximum performance or efficiency, as needed
• Range is adequate for urban commuting as well as road-trips to nearby destinations
• Low running costs & cheaper long-term maintenance (as is the case with all EVs)
• An excellent city car. Smooth driving experience, easy to drive, very chuckable
• 5 year / unlimited km warranty, 5 labour-free services & 8 year / 150,000 km battery warranty
• Features such as the panoramic sunroof, cruise control, Bluetooth key, connected car tech & more
• International model got a 5-star Euro NCAP rating. Safety kit includes 6 airbags, blind spot monitoring, ESP, HSA, TPMS etc.
MG ZS EV Cons:
• Expensive! Even after subsidies, EVs carry a huge price premium over ICE cars. You're paying for the tech & being an early adopter
• The very similar & arguably more practical MG Astor is 8 - 12 lakhs cheaper
• Needs a charging point installed at your home parking. This is not doable for many people
• Lack of charging infrastructure & ~350 km range limits long-distance / highway usability
• Firm ride quality means you always feel the road, especially with the recommended 41 PSI tyre pressure
• Long “full tank” charging times in comparison with an ICE car. Overnight charging is best
• Missing features such as ventilated seats, auto-dimming IRVM, steering reach adjustment, ADAS tech (which Astor gets), wireless Android Auto / CarPlay…
• Size & interior quality are more comparable to a Creta than other 28-30 lakh rupee cars
• The rear seat is better suited to 2 adults & a kid, not 3 adults
• 6-speaker sound system is ordinary for the price. Subwoofer conspicuous by its absence
• Lower Excite variant is currently unavailable. It is cheaper by ~4-lakh rupees
Link to Review Hyundai Kona EV
Hyundai Kona EV Pros:
• India’s first world-class EV with no major compromises!
• Green image & zero tailpipe emissions appeal to the environmentally conscious
• Instant torque makes it a snappy car to drive in the city (0-100 km/h @ 9.7 sec)
• Selectable levels of regenerative braking; adds range, aids braking performance and is fun
• Real-world range of 260-300 km means no range anxiety for urban commuting
• Incredibly low running costs & cheaper long-term maintenance (as is the case with all EVs)
• Features such as cooled front seats, LED headlamps, sunroof, cruise control & more
• Top safety kit includes 6 airbags, ESP, HSA, TPMS etc.
• Peace of mind with Hyundai’s after-sales service & 8-year battery warranty
Hyundai Kona EV Cons:
• Expensive! Even after subsidies, EVs still carry a huge price premium over ICE cars
• Lack of charging infrastructure & ~300 km range limits long-distance / highway usability
• Uncomfortable ride quality on less-than-perfect roads. Firm & uncompromising
• Cabin space is comparable to the i20. Also, the high floor pan affects the rear seating position
• Some misses such as no auto-wipers, rear air-con, touchscreen ICE smaller than expected...
• Size & presence are comparable to 12-lakh rupee cars like the S-Cross
• Boot size is just 332 litres
• Brake pedal lacks feel & linearity, takes some getting used to. Especially wooden in Sports mode
• Limited availability in India (only a handful of states). Further, the 2019 batch is sold out
Link to Review Hyundai Ioniq 5
Link to Close Look