BYD Atto 3 Owner Review – Style, Tech, and a Solid Step into Electric Future

In this special episode of PakWheels Owner’s Review, Suneel Munj welcomes his long-time friend Qasim Mehdi, who recently bought the BYD Atto 3—a futuristic electric vehicle (EV) that has created quite a buzz in Pakistan’s EV market. What follows is not just a review, but an honest and lighthearted conversation between two friends, full of nostalgia, insights, and laughter.

Make, Model & Variant

The vehicle in question is the BYD Atto 3; currently, only one variant is available in Pakistan. Qasim Mehdi opted for this model as his entry into the EV world, previously having owned both Haval and Tucson.

Why BYD? The Purchase Decision

Qasim shares that his decision to go electric was driven by two main factors:

1. Excellent pickup of EVs.

2. The global shift towards electrification.

BYD, a globally recognised brand that rivals Tesla in many markets, caught his attention. While pricier EVs and budget ones were available, he chose BYD for its brand strength, features, and strong first impression. He humorously adds that while he can’t turn back time to be young again, he can at least make young, future-forward choices—like buying an EV.

Interior Quality & Build

Having previously owned Korean and Chinese vehicles, Qasim finds the BYD Atto 3’s interior to be an excellent blend of both quality and design.

• Premium materials on the dashboard and panels

• Unique ambient lighting that glows beautifully at night

• Modern, sporty layout that includes quirky, guitar-string-like door trim and illuminated panels

He praises the attention to detail, saying it feels like BYD has picked the best bits from various brands and merged them into one.

Voice Commands & Infotainment

The car is equipped with smart voice command features. You can control everything from the sunroof to the ambient lighting just by talking to the car.

Qasim jokes about how he now completes most of his tasks through voice commands—no more lifting a finger. It’s part tech, part convenience, and part fun.

Charging Range 

The claimed range when fully charged is 410 km, although the real-world figure shown on the display is around 288 km. Based on actual usage, Qasim reports a practical range of 310–320 km in city conditions, which is more than enough for his 100 km/day routine.

He hasn’t faced any range anxiety, as he tops up whenever the car is parked at home, either during the day or overnight.

Booking, Delivery & Customer Experience

• Booking was done online, and though the delivery was promised in February, it arrived in March, only a one-month delay.

• The delivery process was smooth, but EV ownership and maintenance guidance were lacking.

• No detailed walkthrough was given about when to return for checkups or how to manage charging habits.

Home Charger Installation

The Atto 3 comes with two charging options:

• A 2 kW portable charger (used with standard sockets)

• A 7 kW fast charger (requires professional installation)

BYD provides a list of certified vendors, and Qasim was quoted around PKR 155,000 for full installation. However, as of the review, he’s still using the 2 kW charger, which is slow but sufficient for his daily needs.

• Charging Time on 2kW: ~25 hours

• Charging Time on 7kW: ~7 hours

Driving Dynamics 

One thing Qasim absolutely loves is the driving feel. The blade battery technology from BYD allows for better weight distribution, giving the car excellent road grip and a planted feel during sharp turns or fast cornering.

Unlike other EVs that feel heavy or unbalanced under braking, the Atto 3 feels stable and controlled, especially on roundabouts and during spirited driving.

Rear Seat Space & Practicality

• Space at the back is decent, though slightly tighter than his previous Haval H6.

• Despite that, three adults can sit comfortably, and his kids reported that the Atto 3 is “more than comfortable.”

So, while it may not match larger SUVs in space, it does a great job for a compact crossover.

Spare Parts & Availability Concerns

Qasim admits he did not ask about spare parts availability before booking. He laughs and says he didn’t want to hear anything negative that might have discouraged him.

As of now, there is no information about local parts availability, and like most EVs in Pakistan, this remains a grey area. He also mentions the confusion in registration, where EVs are still registered based on “engine capacity,” even though there is no engine.

Advanced Features 

• 360° camera

• Reverse auto-braking sensors (extremely sensitive)

• Rotating infotainment screen

• Modern centre console with drive-by-wire shifter

Qasim describes the dashboard controls as if you’re activating a plane’s landing gear—they’re that impressive.

Registration Charges – A Big Letdown

He was shocked to learn that registration charges for electric vehicles were around PKR 305,000 to 315,000, similar to those for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. He strongly believes the government should promote EVs by reducing registration costs and offering incentives like special number plates or token tax exemptions.

Final Thoughts 

Without hesitation, Qasim says yes. Despite initial doubts and the temptation to cancel, he’s now so addicted to the smooth, powerful, and quiet drive of the Atto 3 that he finds ICE vehicles sluggish.

Conclusion 

The BYD Atto 3 is a bold and futuristic choice in Pakistan’s EV market. With a stylish design, intelligent tech, practical range, and impressive road presence, it’s a serious contender for anyone looking to shift away from traditional fuel vehicles.

This review not only covers the specs and features but also the emotions, concerns, and satisfaction of a real owner navigating Pakistan’s still-growing EV ecosystem.

 Let us know in the comments what you think of the BYD Atto 3 and whether you’d consider going electric.