Picture this: three years ago, I scribbled a wish into my trusty red notebook (a.k.a. my manifestation journal).

The dream? To ride, drive, test, and fall head over heels for an electric vehicle. By last year, I got extra specific: I wanted to get behind the wheel of a BYD car, especially after the brand zoomed past Tesla as the biggest seller of EVs.

Fast forward to now (after countless, fleeting test drives with hybrids and EVs), my dream didn’t just come true; it came rolling in with style and charm.

I finally got my hands on an all-electric ride through the BYD Atto 3. It was my first all-electric love affair, and let me tell you, it was a week-long fling I’ll never forget.

Major head-turner energy

You know that feeling when you walk into a party and all eyes are on you? That’s exactly how the BYD Atto 3 strutted into my Italian-inspired neighborhood.

Its Surf Blue paint popped like a dream against the pastel-hued buildings and orange-tiled rooftops, making it look like it belonged in a postcard. Even the security guards couldn’t help but do a double take as it rolled through the gates.

The Atto 3’s design is the perfect mix of bold and futuristic while keeping that classic crossover SUV appeal. Think edgy yet approachable, like the car equivalent of a really hot guy in a leather jacket who’s also a total softie.

It’s sleek, stylish, and exactly what a bachelor like me needs — whether I’m navigating rush-hour traffic or heading out of town for a spontaneous weekend road trip.

And let’s talk about that road presence. As a Leo, I couldn’t help but revel in the attention. Everywhere I went, people stopped to stare. Other drivers even slowed down to admire the grille, sharp edges, and sleek wheels. It’s like the car came with built-in “pretty privilege.”

Bonus: Thanks to the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA) in the Philippines, all EVs are exempt from number coding. I could hit the road whenever I wanted (even during rush hour). No restrictions!

Not to flex too hard, though. Jeepneys, taxis, Fortuners, and Everests still reign supreme with their bossy energy on the road. But for once, I got to feel like the car everyone was lowkey jealous of.

When the interior is a whole new mood

Sliding into the BYD Atto 3 felt like stepping into a spaceship. Seriously, this thing is futuristic.

There’s a panoramic sunroof that felt like opening up a world of possibilities, ambient lighting that turns the cabin into a lowkey nightclub, and a Dirac 8-speaker system that made every playlist feel like a concert.

Its interior is decked out in blues, grays, and hints of oranges. The color scheme is giving sophistication with a side of fun. Plus, the orange bungee cords on the doors? Not only are they cute, but I also used them to double as storage for my files and random stuff. (And yes, they actually make a twangy, guitar-like sound when you pull them.)

Comfort-wise, the Atto 3 is a winner. Whether you’re driving, riding shotgun, or chilling in the backseat, there’s room to stretch out and get cozy.

Even Chappell Roan’s “Casual” lyric, “knee-deep in the passenger seat,” feels totally relatable here.

That said, I’m vertically challenged so I had no way of enjoying the legroom. I appreciated the 6-Way Power Seat that I had to slide so I could reach the pedals. Short kings, you’re covered.

Tech heaven

If your kind of heaven is an intelligent cockpit, say no more. The Atto 3 got me swooning with its thoughtful features.

The controls are intuitive and easy to reach, from air-conditioning settings on the center console to buttons on the steering wheel for adaptive cruise control and infotainment.

Behind the wheel is a compact yet informative instrument cluster with a digital display. My only wish? Make it bigger.

But the pièce de résistance? The 15.6-inch rotating screen. It’s where all the magic happens.

You can customize ambient lighting, tweak the audio equalizer, monitor energy consumption, and adjust driver-assist settings — all at your fingertips.

On another note, connecting my phone to the Atto 3 was a journey. The car supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but my iPhone kept ghosting me mid-drive (rude).

Thankfully, my Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 came through. Android Auto worked seamlessly, giving me access to Spotify and Google Maps without a hitch.

Sure, my phone got a little hot during long drives, but thankfully, the air vents had my back.

Range Anxiety? Not as Bad as I Feared

When the BYD Atto 3 rolled into my driveway, it had a 94% charge and boasted a range of nearly 500 kilometers.

For a first-time EV user like me, that number was both reassuring and daunting. Could I really go about my week without running out of battery? Let’s be real: range anxiety is a thing.

That is more evident when it’s your first all-electric drive. To shrug off my anxiety, I put it to the test with my daily grind and some fun, sponty trips.

I drove it to my Anytime Fitness gym and to my work meetings in Katipunan Avenue, and took it to a dinner around SM North. I also ventured to Ayala Avenue to drop off friends for the annual Halloween party in Poblacion.

At one point, I met up with my friend Allan for a brunch date in Wildflour Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). It was also the perfect chance to test charging stations through the EVRO app, which led us to One Bonifacio High Street Mall. It’s conveniently operated by ACMobility — the official distributor of BYD Cars in the Philippines.

Here’s where the BYD Atto 3 shines: it’s equipped with a Type 2 charger, offering AC and DC charging options.

While a standard home charger takes up to 10 hours to fully juice up the battery, public fast chargers can give you a 50% boost in just 30 minutes — depending on the station’s capacity and type of charger.

Pro tip: go for DC fast chargers when you’re in a rush, if your EV can handle that.

In just 90 minutes at One Bonifacio, the battery jumped from 63% to 76%. It’s not bad for a quick mall visit. With over 70% battery life, Allan and I decided to take the Atto 3 for a scenic drive to Greenfield City in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The 40-kilometer trip took only 33 minutes, thanks to light holiday traffic. After coffee and a leisurely cruise around Nuvali, we headed back to BGC.

Predictably, the notorious C5 bottleneck added time to our return journey — taking 40 minutes before we got back to the charging station.

Considering we covered over 80 kilometers round-trip, I was amazed to see the battery down for only 53%. I guess the Atto 3 passed my range test with flying colors.

 

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What I realized about owning and handling an EV, isn’t just about driving. It’s about planning. You really need to map out where to park and charge, and factor in charging time. For my Type A personality (and probably for my Virgo and Capricorn friends), this was oddly satisfying.

And thanks to the EVRO app, you can monitor your car’s charging status remotely. If your battery hits 100%, you can quickly move your car to another spot so someone else can charge.

Passenger Princess POV

When I wasn’t driving solo, I played chauffeur to a few friends who were just as curious about the BYD Atto 3 as I was. My trail-running buddy Maki — fresh off his second-place win at Spartan’s toughest race in the Philippines — was the first to experience it during a trip to the mountains of Rizal.

His initial reaction? “Quiet and cozy.” The interior’s futuristic vibes and quirky tech features left him wide-eyed with amazement. Admittedly, I had a little fun watching him struggle with the unique door handles (you have to rotate them to open the door). But overall, he was so comfortable that he almost fell asleep during the two-hour traffic crawl back to Manila.

Allan, on the other hand, couldn’t stop raving about how driver-focused the Atto 3 felt. He did point out a minor inconvenience for passengers, most of the car’s best storage spots (for drinks, keys, and phones) are designed for the driver. If you’re riding shotgun, it’s best to travel light.

Across all my passengers, one comment remained consistent: “It’s so quiet.” Add to that the sleek interiors and high-tech features, and every ride became a mini showroom experience.

Safety features that are annoyingly good

The BYD Atto 3 doesn’t just look good; it’s packed with safety tech that makes every drive less stressful. Parking is a breeze with its 360-degree camera, and on the road, features like Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and collision warnings have your back.

It’s also equipped with Adaptive Cruise Control, which was a lifesaver on major highways. However, the Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist were a bit of a mixed bag.

While helpful, they sometimes felt overly sensitive — especially on roads where lane markings weren’t exactly straight. And the Blind Spot Detection? Great for safety, but it could get a little trigger-happy when cars from other lanes sped up suddenly.

Customizing these driver-assist settings through the infotainment system was a nice touch, though. You can tweak them to suit your preferences and driving style.

Is this your RideMatch?

Having the BYD Atto 3 for a week got me falling head over heels in love with electric vehicles. I’m glad it was my first. It’s got everything I want: impressive range, high-tech cockpit, lots of safety features, and a futuristic look.

Would I recommend it? Absolutely. Just be prepared to plan your trips a little more carefully and embrace the attention you’ll inevitably get. Because let’s face it: driving an EV like this isn’t just about saving the environment — it’s about turning heads while you’re at it.

Swipe right if you like a stylish, futuristic design with spacious, tech-forward interior and a generous range that’s perfect for city driving or road trips.

Swipe left if seamless smartphone connectivity (especially for Apple CarPlay), overly sensitive driver-assist technology, or the logistics of planning charging stops are deal-breakers for you.

You might be better suited to a hybrid vehicle, where regenerative braking keeps your battery topped up and a quick stop at the gas station is always an option.

But for me, an attention-loving driver who wants to future-proof his ride in style, it’s a Super Swipe. The BYD Atto 3 absolutely deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

Price, availability

The BYD Atto 3 starts at PhP 1,598,000 for the Dynamic variant, while the Premium variant comes with a PhP 1,798,000 price tag. Both models are available at your nearest BYD dealers.