Months of spyshots and conversations come to a head today as the fully-imported (CBU China) 2022 BYD Atto 3 has just been launched in Malaysia, making it the 19th EV officially sold here thus far in 2022. 

Prices start from RM 149,800 for the Standard variant, and RM 167,800 for the Extended variant.

Performance and range

The cheaper of the pair, the Standard variant, is equipped with a 49.92 kWh battery, while the Extended range gets a 60.48 kWh one. Both are BYD's in-house 'Blade' batteries; made up of lithium iron phospate (LFP).

Also read: BYD Atto 3's LFP Blade battery - This is what makes it superior to its rivals

Range for the Standard variant is 410 km NEDC (345 km WLTP), while the Extended nets 480 km NEDC (420 km WLTP). AC charging is via a Type 2 connector, while CCS2 connectivity provides DC fast charging.

Charging figures are as below:

Variance in battery capacity aside, both Atto 3 variants have a front-mounted electric motor that produces 203 PS and 310 Nm. 0-100 km/h is claimed to be done in just 7.3 seconds. Recuperative braking is present; termed as Cooperative Regenerative Braking System (CRBS), BYD says it can recover up to 10% more energy during braking.

Handling credence comes from multi-link suspension round the back – MacPherson struts up front – and the Atto 3 has a tight turning radius of just 5.3 metres.

Dimensions, exterior, interior

The BYD Atto 3 gets standard, adaptive LED headlights and LED tail lights, a panoramic sunroof, roof rails, and heated side mirrors. Wheels are different; 17-inches on the Standard, and 18-inches for the Extended. 

Five colour options make up the exterior, though wheel designs are limited to the interwoven-patterned ones seen in these photos.

Also read: Thailand launches BYD Atto 3 EV, price equals to RM 146k, 420 km range, 204 PS/310 Nm

That aside, the Atto 3's cabin packs a pretty punch. Standard across the pair are the 5-inch digital instrument cluster, leather 'Gaming' seats (both driver and front passenger's are electronically-adjustable), and a rotating, 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen that supports wireless Android Auto (coming in Q2 2023) and Apple CarPlay.

Comfort and conveniences vary however; as the Extended gains a Dirac HD Sound 8-speaker setup (up from 6 in the Standard), a wireless phone charger, and a PM 2.5 air filter.

Ambient lighting complexity too is different, with the cheaper variant getting single-colour lighting along the door handles, which the Extended gains multi-coloured lighting that can even follow your music rhythm.

On the connectivity front the BYD Atto 3 bundles in 12V socket, multiple USB-A and USB-C ports, as well as standard 2.2 kW V2L – vehicle to load – function, essentially making your SUV into a powerbank on wheels.

Keyless entry and start is done via a tiny card, not unlike what you've seen in the recently-launched Civic RS e:HEV.

Also read: Go off-grid with the Ioniq 5 at the Hotel Hyundai, the world's first EV-powered hotel

Dimensions-wise, the Atto 3 has a wheelbase of 2,720 mm, an overall length of 4,455 mm, a width of 1,875 mm, and it's 1,615 mm tall. Unladen, ground clearance is 175 mm. Overall, its size is close to the Proton X50, and like it the Atto 3 also seats five.

Boot space is 440 litres with all seats up, extending to a maximum of 1,340-litres with all seats down. 

Safety features

Packed to the gills best describes the Atto 3's safety array, and we're happy to report both variants share the exact same array. 7 airbags are standard along with the requisite anti-lock braking system, traction control, electronic stability program, and ISOFIX tethers.

Also standard is a 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and 6 parking sensors (2 in front, 4 at the back).

Advanced driver aids (ADAS, DiPilot in BYD's parlance) on both variants, encapsulating these features:

• Stop & Go Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC-S&G), 30-150 km/h range
• Automatic Emergency Braking System (AEB)
• Front Collision Warning (FCW)
• Rear Collision Warning (RCW)
• Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
• Lane Keeping Assist (LKA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB)

Aftersales and deliveries

BYD offers a 6-year/150,000 km vehicle warranty, 8-year/160,000 km battery warranty, and another 8-year/150,000 km warranty for the drive unit (covering motor, motor controller, DC assembly, high voltage electric control assembly).

The first service interval comes at the 3-month/5,000 km mark. Subsequent 'preventive maintenance' services are scheduled at 12-month/20,000 km intervals.

BYD is also investing RM 500 million to establish a dealer network here, with the first showroom slated to open in the middle of this month at TREC KL, followed by one each in Ara Damansara, Penang, and Johor come early 2023. The company aims to have 20 showrooms by the end of next year.

Bookings for the BYD Atto 3 has commenced since early last month, and early adopters can look forward to receive their cars beginning Q1 2023. In addition, every unit sold during the launch event will gain a complimentary portable home charger, complimentary V2L extension cable, and free RM 1,000 charging credit.

Also read: BYD Atto 3 - After 10 months on the market, here's what Chinese owners are saying