GROUP TEST: BYD ATTO 3 vs KIA NIRO EV – shootout shock! | Electrifying

#bydatto3 #kianiroev #electriccars

In the world of electric cars, the SUV sector is where it’s all happening. Whether you’re a fan or not, there’s no disputing the facts that family car buyers are continuing to choose mid-size SUVs in huge numbers.

The Kia Niro EV has been a fixture in the electric car market for five years, wowing buyers with its remarkable efficiency, practicality and value for money. Completely refreshed last year, it remains one of the best all-rounders in the business and still represents a great buy.

But the competition is now tougher than ever. BYD’s first offering for the UK market – the Atto 3 – hopes to take a bite out of Kia’s sales, and comes with a packed specification list and a decent range from its 60.5kWh battery pack.

But which is the most deserving of your cash? Join Tom as he pitches the BYD Atto 3 and Kia Niro EV head-to-head to find out which is the more convincing package. Do you agree with Tom’s verdict? Which would you choose from these two? As always, we love to hear your opinion, so please let is know what you think in the comments below.

BYD Atto 3
Price: £36,490 Comfort - £38,990 Design
201bhp, 228lb ft of torque
Front wheel drive, 1-spd
7.3 seconds 0-62mph, 99mph top speed
60.5kWh battery (useable), 261 miles range WLTP
88kw DC, 7.4kw AC (optional 11kw), 44 min fast DC, 66min 50kW
9hr 45 mins on home wallbox
Weight: 1,825kg
Boot: 440-litres/ 1,338 seats folded (No frunk)
Tow: no
Standard heatpump
Vehicle-to-load 3.3kW AC
Five star EuroNcap
No frunk
6year warranty, 8 year battery, 8 years roadside assist

Kia Niro EV 4
Starts at £36,795 (£40,495 if test car is ‘4’ grade)
201bhp, 188lb ft of torque
Front wheel drive, 1-spd
7.8 seconds 0-62mph, 103mph top speed
64.8kWh battery (useable), 285 miles range WLTP
80kw DC, 11kw AC, 45 min fast DC, 64min 50kW
10hr 30 on home wallbox
Weight: 1,739kg
Boot: 475-litres (1,392)
70kW Average charge speed and nine mins quicker than the old one
Battery pre-condition via navigation
Vehicle-to-device
Heatpump optional
Frunk
Can tow 750kg
7 year/100k warranty (3yr unlimited)
1yr roadside assistance

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Our reviews are written by some of the most experienced reviewers in the business and will even help you find the perfect new or used car.

[Batman..]

I have Atto3 since March this year here in the Netherlands 🇳🇱. And it is just an amazing car. The best value of my money. Its drives smooth, charge it to 100% and every options what I could think of have it on it. And for so less price. Really loving it.❤

[santileonsteinberg]

I don’t know why Tom says the Kia is more refined and sophisticated when how can clearly hear how much noisier the Kia is on the inside compared to the Atto 3. I test drove the BYD, a new Leaf and a regular hybrid Niro recently and as the owner of a previous generation Leaf I think the Atto will be my next car, it is great and it feels so much better built and with more flair than the others

[ayambo]

Even without considering the price difference, Atto3 interior, exterior and blade battery wins my vote.

[sergigorchs]

I had the chance to get into theses two cars last week in Barcelona, I found the Atto more comfortable, sepecially in the back seats.

[kakajusaiyy]

As an owner of Atto3, it has been very good for various family usages.

[africasteel]

BYD obviously more quiet, more comfortable and more powerful. Also with big sun roof, 360 degree camera view, seat heater, auto lane/distance keeper and more…

[stephenwang]

the cabin noise is noticeably a lot louder in the Kia Niro Ev than in Byd Atto 3

[jimmiecox]

I own a BYD Atto 3 in Thailand. Love the styling inside and out! Blade batteries should outlast the Kia. My short wife has to use a pillow under her bum to get her head higher to make the driver's seat comfortable. Then, all is well. NOTE: after purchasing an Atto 3 my friend's family happily sold his Benz and BMW.

[MrTascat]

Well the review was a bit limited, I have both a BYD Atto 3 and a Tesla M3 and am in many ways most impressed with the BYD, it can tow (in AUS), it has the sunshade and sun roof, it has LFP battery that can be and should be charged to 100% whereas the Lithium Ion of the NERO is recommended to generally be charged to 80% and not to run flat. Its adaptive cruise control and lane keep assist is equal to the Tesla, The difference between ECO and sport are significant (we use Sport all the time), the regen braking has several levels and whilst the highest level is not one pedal driving per the Tesla it is not far off and when the brake is applied light to medium the deceleration is all regen. And really the so oft repeated negative/ blah comment re the upholstery style of the BYD is unfortunate. Some like me, really like it as it throws out the blandness of the me too style of so many other new car offerings. The longer we have the have the BYD the more I like it. And I am not negative to Kia, they have made some fantastic cars that I have been brand loyal to for some 8 years with a Sorrento Platinum and a Stinger GT that got traded to the BYD and the Tesla.

[ricosun]

The most important feature of an electric car should be its battery. And BYD has a way better LFP battery than the Nira's Lithium-ion. LFP battery are less prone to combustion making it much safer, and can last 5 times longer than Lithium-ion batteries. So if priced the same, the sensible choice should be BYD.

[JIMMY-nzld]

Did you notice how quiet byd is while driving and kia is so noisy?

[aaravshah]

The BYD Blade battery, however, is thoroughly impressive, and it is LFP which means no cobalt is used (more environmentally friendly and less concers about child labour in mines).
Plus the interior quality is exceptional. Also, the Atto 3 entry level is comparative to the Niro 3, which is £39k.

[glennmoloney]

I can't believe in the UK how the price of both vehicles is so close when in Australia the Atto 3 is considerably cheaper which makes it a no brainer. There's no angle on the drivers screen either in the Aus model. Because of the price being so close I can understand why they went for the Niro EV. Shame they didn't talk about the battery tech because because the Atto 3 is more superior especially if you're planing on keeping the vehicle for a long time! LFP can expect more than twice the number of charging cycles and you can charge to 100% with no fear of damaging the battery. Just like how people charge their mobile phone. Cheers.

[danalec]

An update. I already got BYD Atto3 and I love it. Wireless Android auto included. Battery of BYD, the infotainment system are much better. I don't regret I changed my electric Kia to BYD atto 3. 👍

[waynehobbs]

Great report. We have both in Australia and luckily we get the 12" screen in the Atto3 which is excellent and unobtrusive in portrait.
In Australia the top spec Atto3 is $55000 or £29000 equivalent drive away but then gets State Government rebates of $3k to $6k.
The Kia with similar equipment sells for $73k or £39k both ineligible for rebates as over $69k.
The Kia is virtually same price as a Tesla Model Y!
So Kia is not selling well. It is slower by 0.4 seconds 0-100kph has a 30l bigger boot but that ugly C pillar looks tacky. The nearest competitor to the Atto3 in Australia for price is the MG ZS EV which is $5k cheaper (£3k), slower and very dated.
We bought the Atto3 after comparing with Tesla Y too but the Tesla is better but not $23k better!
Atto3 is 3rd best selling EV in Australia behind the Tes 3/Y. No surprise as it is a great package.
Atto3 can tow 750kg in Australia, not sure about the Kia.

[stephenodonohue]

We picked up our Atto 3 in September last year and have driven 12, 000 km in it. Excellent car (and our driver's binnacle is level... yours looks so wrong from any angle, very strange). We are Veraging over 420km (260miles) per full charge (60kw battery) at 14.8kw/h.

[jansenwilder]

I can't wait for you both to review the Byd Seal and Han. Gorgeous sedan/ saloon EV.

[danalec]

You've got it completely wrong guys. I'm surprised.
I have Kia EV and love it but I'll get BYD Atto3 because :
1.Dedicated EV platform
2. LFP blade battery pack, the safest battery so far used by Tesla as well. You can charge it daily to 100% with no damage.
3. Price. £10k difference!!! Full spec Niro EV 4 with heat pump is £43k, Atto3 mid spec with similar extras is £36k but now there is a £3k dealer contribution, therefore the price is £33k with lower interest rate.
4. Kia 10k miles service, Atto3 12500 miles.
5. BYD is the largest battery car maker in the world and they sold 6 figures Atto3 cars around the world so far with fantastic reviews.
4. Immediate delivery.
6. Panoramic roof.
This is more than enough for me to get the Atto3. Regards,

[Jimmy-hffz]

The BYD is $20, 000 cheaper in Aus. BYD has a longer track record of making EVs and make their own batteries. So BYD all the way.

[weefinn]

Based on kia UK website equivalent Niro spec to the BYD is somewhere between 40, 445 and 43, 195, is between 37, 000 and 39, 000 when you line the specs up - it seems like comparison was on base models in both range (where the BYD still has a better spec)