New BYD Atto 3 Evo review: more range, better tech but still ordinary

More subtle but no less important changes include the headrests no longer being integrated into the front seats, so they can be adjusted. The large kettlebell-inspired gear selector that used to be on the centre console is now gone too, replaced by a column-mounted one that unlocked a useful space for a ventilated wireless charging pad.

Build quality is a mixed bag, because while there’s a nice thunk to the doors and some soft-touch plastics, the steering wheel is covered in a poor leather imitation and the airbag cover in the centre feels especially cheap. Space in the second row is impressive, with lots of headroom and legroom for this size of SUV. Visibility is also good, and there’s a couple of USB-C chargers back there, too. 

BYD has even fettled with the boot and managed to find an additional 50 litres of space, so there’s now 490 litres on offer. That expands to 1,390 litres with the rear seats down. There’s not much in the way of under floor storage, but the 95-litre frunk in the nose – which the Atto 3 never had before – certainly makes up for that and provides plenty of space for the charging cable. Those spaces combined offer a little more luggage capacity than a Elroq or Scenic, but falls short of larger cars such as the Citroen e-C5 Aircross that can swallow up to 650 litres worth of stuff.

The base rear-drive Design model starts from £38,990, meaning it costs about the same as a mid-range Elroq or Scenic which, again, are better to drive and offer more range. At least the standard kit is generous, with those two large displays, 360-degree camera system, ambient lighting, electric heated leather front seats and 18-inch alloy wheels. 

The higher-spec Excellence model adds a head-up display, heated rear seats and a panoramic sunroof, as well as all-wheel drive, but it also costs nearly £43,000, putting it in the same price bracket as the Tesla Model Y. It simply doesn’t offer the quality, technology or road manners to justify that high a price tag. Especially when you consider how many more impressive or better value-for-money cars are available for less.