BLADE POINT

The Atto 3 isn't just another new cutting-edge EV from China - it's a statement that BYD is here to stay.

- SHIVANK BHATT

Electric vehicles are such a rage these days that every second week we have a new EV arriving on our shores with a promise of changing the world. The BYD Atto 3 is one of the latest entrants to arrive with such fanfare. It's an all-new  EV from a virtually unknown carmaker, and at 34 lakh (ex-showroom), it isn't a cheap thrill in any way.

So, is the Atto 3 just another run-of-the-mill EV with tall promises, or can it really hit it big? We sampled this suave-looking SUV in Chennai to find the answer.

ALL SHARPENED UP

The Atto 3 is a handsome EV. BYD says its design follows the company's Dragon Face 3.0 philosophy, which uses a mix of sharp, sporty, and strong lines. It certainly looks that way - the pointy front end with sharp LED headlamps, a rakish roofline, prominent shoulder lines, large 18-inch wheels along with muscular haunches, and a coupe-like rear end featuring a one-piece LED taillight strip give it a sporty and purposeful stance. Plus, measuring around 4.5 metres, it's the same size as the Audi Q3. To my eyes, it has a stylish, sublime, and contemporary design, which is far better than the cheesy or over-thetop stuff that you'd usually expect from a Chinese automaker.

Inside the cabin, it gets even better, for the Atto 3's cabin is an exquisite place to be. There's nothing conventional about this interior.