INTAX integrates BYD Atto 3 as a taxi version into the portfolio

The Chinese company BYD, originally founded in Shenzhen in 1995 as a manufacturer of rechargeable batteries, has developed into one of the most technologically independent players in the automotive industry. According to the company, BYD is the only manufacturer worldwide that develops and produces the complete electronic architecture of its vehicles itself – from batteries and semiconductors to motors and control units. A central element of this in-house development is the so-called Blade Battery, which is based on lithium iron phosphate and built with compact, flat-stacked plates. It promises efficiency, safety, and a longer lifespan. The Blade Battery is used not only in BYD models but also in Tesla vehicles.

With the Atto 3, BYD introduced a lower midsize model to the European market in 2023. The car competes against established competitors such as the VW ID.3, Hyundai Kona Electric, and Kia Niro EV.

Design convinces

The SUV crossover silhouette is modern and timeless. The front features narrow LED headlights connected by a wide chrome strip, while the rear stands out with a continuous light strip and the brand name written out. With a length of 4.46 meters, the model positions itself between the VW ID.3 (4.26 m) and the ID.4 (4.58 m).

Inside, BYD emphasizes eye-catching details: three-color faux leather seats with Isofix mounts front and rear, illuminated door speakers that pulse to the beat of the music, and tensioned strings in the door panels functioning like guitar strings. A central focal point is the large touch display with a diagonal of 12.8 or 15.5 inches, which can rotate between portrait and landscape format at the push of a button. The overall operation logic is well thought out but suffers from the increasing shift of important basic functions to submenus. More user-friendly, tactile controls would be a sensible addition here.

Space and comfort

The Atto 3 offers a generous sense of space, especially in the front seats, which are comfortable for people up to 1.90 meters. In the rear, passengers up to 1.80 meters sit comfortably, although headroom is somewhat limited by the standard panoramic roof. Legroom, on the other hand, is ample. The trunk is average-sized at 355 liters but can be expanded to up to 1,300 liters by folding down the rear seats. Criticism is warranted for the lack of a storage compartment in the engine compartment, which means the charging cables have to be stored in the trunk.

Efficient Battery Technology, Limited Long-Distance Suitability

The Blade battery of the Atto 3 is space-savingly integrated into the underbody and weighs 420 kilograms. With a gross capacity of 60.5 kWh, it enables a range of around 350 kilometers in the test, with a consumption of 19.5 kWh/100 km (including charging losses). While the Atto 3 is comparatively efficient with this, it reveals weaknesses in charging. It charges via alternating current (AC) using three-phase 11 kW in about six hours. It is faster with direct current (DC), but the charging power, averaging 65 kW in the test and achieving a maximum of 89 kW only briefly, is not fully competitive. The charging time from ten to 80 percent is around 46 minutes.