BYD Atto 3: My review after 5 months of ownership

I took the leap of faith 5 months back now I am a super proud owner of the BYD Atto3 Dynamic, Sky White.

BHPian ProfDK recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

After 10+ years of driving diesels, I moved to petrol cars for last 10 years and now the next obvious step was automatic, lower NVH and smooth drive, and EVs were considered and found to deliver more than any ICE.

The ZS EV was fun but the way Atto 3 drives without a fuss and almost glides to high speeds, it won the battle bearing the 2nd contender in both acceleration and dynamics. Nexon/Curvv fell short on the premium element. Creta, was my previous landcraft and wanted a serious upgrade.

Range:

Highway range for 100-120kmph can vary a lot. In smooth traffic you will easily do 12.5-13 kWh per 100 km on AC. Thats a range of 380+. Spirited driving will hurt you and you can head to 330 odd; do that when you're sorted on the trip/charging plan. My everyday drive is 50% expressway and 50% City and range I am getting is 415 kms. The morning trips are fast and short of furious evening return trips are frugal. Let me give you trick - at the same speed just releasing the pedal pressure a bit without reducing speed will reward you. This is a unique characteristic that only efficient EV drivers know (iMO)

Dimensions:

1,875mm is wide. Initial days you'll feel it. Thankfully the radar sounds when traffic passes close to you as well as turning on the cam making your learning curve quick. You'll get the hang of it in 2 weeks Max. From Creta its 3.35 inch wide that's 1.7 inch from both sides. No big deal. Yesterday I drove in congested roads of Daryaganj (Old Delhi) and it was effortless. Even parking was a cake walk thanks to the cam and radar support.

Spare wheel:

Yes, maybe it will be a problem, but not sure if I want to lift a 2 ton car on a jack, so am also waiting for a direction here. No flats yet, but it's on the back of my mind

Suspension:

Its great, better than Creta. Because of the lower heavy weight due to battery there is a thud sound if you're a but fast on speed bumps but it's just the sound the car remains composed. You'll know both how to minimise it as well as not be bothered as it's pretty normal. On highway joints go slower inside and faster outside. It's a big heavy car don't swerve it fast or be prepared to handle the reaction

Price:

I know of only one case where additional charges were waived off for previous year manufactured car. I was able to negotiate freebies (portable charger, 7d mats, mud flaps) and a super quote on the insurance (60k including battery protect with 25% ncb) so it balanced out with the 40k warehouse and admn charges.
Its a grey area so negotiate hard. I could have done more on hindsight.

Portable charger:

I only use portable charger. As my usage is 150-200 km weekly I charge once a week overnight. While the rating is 3.3 kW actual result is 1.8-1.9 kW so it takes 11-12 hours to charge back from 50% to 100%. So the regimen you can follow is to charge overnight once you are below 50% and you'll be fine. Once on a qtr you have to bring down the soc to below 10% so have done it twice in last 5 months. And yes charging to 100% also I am avoiding to once a month using the charging scheduler.

Charging setup:

I set up a 16Amp Asbestos based socket (Rs.150) in a waterproof box (Rs. 1k) in my basement parking. Had to extend a 4mm copper cable 50mtrs which cost Rs. 7k Also set up a remote control relay after the MCB which cost me another Rs. 1k. This is a lifesaver but has limitations in absence of the App (Status visibility).
Have the 7.2 kWh AC fast charger lying in my store and haven't used the free installation (with 10mts free cable). As our load is 9kW and backup of 3kW have planned accordingly and has been perfect.

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