Getting a Sixt BYD Atto3: A bumpy ride full of disappointments

Written by my buddy @gaugericus after I dropped him off at SIXT Munich:

My anticipated journey in and around Bavaria in a booked Fiat 500e quickly turned into an unexpected ordeal when Sixt offered me a "free upgrade" to the BYD Atto3. An electric vehicle from China that's supposed to shock the market. Little did I know that this so-called upgrade would be fraught with quirks and disappointments.

From the moment I stepped into the Atto3, its driving behavior set the tone for the entire experience. The incessant beeping for the slightest action was nothing short of infuriating. While I eventually managed to turn down the volume, it didn't make the constant interruptions any less grating.

The regenerative braking system was no better. When I disengaged the adaptive cruise control (ACC), the car would awkwardly coast for what felt like an eternity before finally deciding to engage the regenerative braking. This delay created a jerky and uncomfortable sensation.

Any hope for a smooth drive was dashed when it came to the lane assistance system. While some may find it "quite nice", I found it to be a source of annoyance and frustration. The persistent beeping and shaking of the steering wheel whenever I deviated slightly from the lane were a constant reminder of the car's intrusive and overbearing nature. Luckily I was able to remove the shaking in the settings.

One of the few positive aspects of the Atto3 was its infotainment system, with its large touchscreen display and wireless Android Auto. However, even this seemingly impressive feature couldn't compensate for the myriad issues plaguing the vehicle.

During a road trip through the picturesque Bavarian countryside, I encountered the glaring weakness of the Atto3 – its DC charging performance. Initially, the charging speed appeared satisfactory, matching the advertised specs (89 kW). However, as the 'blade' battery warmed up during charging, the speed abruptly plummeted to a meager 32 kW while at 50% SoC. Such fluctuations in charging capability were not only inconvenient but also cast doubt on the reliability of the car's battery system in the long run. Roadtrips or weekends away a bit farther aren't fun when you suddenly have to spend three times as long charging.

What was perhaps the most unforgivable aspect of the BYD Atto3 was its blatant lack of attention to detail. Despite being a new car with minimal mileage, the alignment was noticeably off. The persistent veering to the left, even on well-maintained roads, was not only frustrating but also raised questions about the manufacturer's quality control standards.

With the promotional tour that BYD offered in Amsterdam a few months ago, a friend was able to take a picture of the front dampeners: they were already rusty. That doesn't bode well for the future of the suspension.

My experience with the BYD Atto3 (in total driven 610 km) left me disillusioned and disheartened. What was meant to be an exciting adventure turned into a nightmare of irritating beeps, delayed braking and lane assistance gone haywire.

As the electric vehicle market continues to grow, it is crucial for manufacturers like BYD to focus on refining their offerings, addressing issues and delivering a truly enjoyable driving experience. Sadly, the BYD Atto3 missed the mark by a long shot, leaving me with a sour taste in my mouth and an unwavering resolve to avoid such disappointments in the future.

In conclusion, I cannot help but express my disappointment with Sixt for offering the BYD Atto3 as a rental car. The myriad quirks, annoyances, and glaring performance issues of this vehicle were a stark contrast to what one would expect from a reputable car rental company. Instead of a smooth and enjoyable electric driving experience, I found myself battling constant beeping, delayed braking, and a lane assistance system that was more of a nuisance than a helpful feature. It is my sincere hope that Sixt reevaluates their selection of rental vehicles to avoid subjecting future customers to such an unsatisfactory and frustrating driving experience. Especially because there are more attractive offerings available and with the 8 billion Euro in Covid funds that they received to survive that ordeal, they can and must do better.