Loading comparison
BMW iX1 vs BYD ATTO 3
Selected trimEVO Design RWDChange trim317 mi · 74.8 kWh · £38,990
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW iX1 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the BYD ATTO 3 leads on charging speed and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW iX1 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the BYD ATTO 3 if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBMW
BMW
6.4
BYD
5.9
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
BYD
5.1
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
BYD
5
ChargingBYD
BMW
4.1
BYD
5.1
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
BYD
6.2
City DrivingBYD
BMW
4.6
BYD
6.5
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
BYD ATTO 3
EVO Design RWD
- 90 kW faster rapid charging
- 80 kW more power
- 3.1s quicker 0-62 mph
- 1.5 m tighter turning circle
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 (better) | £38,990 |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 317 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 440 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 35 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 5.5 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
BMW iX1
BYD ATTO 3
Length
BMW iX14,500mm
BYD ATTO 34,455mm-45mm
Width
BMW iX11,845mm-30mm
BYD ATTO 31,875mm
Height
BMW iX11,616mm
BYD ATTO 31,615mm-1mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,500 mm | 4,455 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,845 mm (better) | 1,875 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,104 mm | 2,075 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,616 mm | 1,615 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.9 m | 10.4 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 555 mm spare (better) | 525 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 3 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 490 L (better) | 440 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1495 L (better) | 1338 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 750 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW iX1
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
BYD ATTO 3
- Uses 147 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 95% of SUVs we track.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport |  BYD ATTO 3 EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.50m | 4.46m-45mm |
| Width | 1.84m | 1.88m+30mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.10m | 2.08m-29mm |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.61m-1mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.69m | 2.72m+28mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 180mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 490L (better) | 440L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1495L (better) | 1338L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.9m | 10.4m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,750kg |
| Towing Capacity | Not available | 750kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 64.7kWh | 74.8kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 317 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW | 220kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 (better) | £38,990 |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £38,990 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 2026+ |
* BMW iX1: 11 kW AC is standard; 22 kW AC was an option.
* BMW iX1: Rating from the BMW X1 (2022), which covers the iX1. An extra pole test on the iX1 showed weak chest protection, without changing the stars.
* BMW iX1: Current figure, after a March 2026 efficiency update. Earlier cars: xDrive30 259-270 miles WLTP, eDrive20 268-296 miles WLTP.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 317 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 263 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 35 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW | 220 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 147 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh | 74.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 5.5 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 230 kW (better) |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 310 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
BYD ATTO 3
EVO Design RWD
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW iX1 eDrive20 Sport
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3EVO Design RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 250,000 km (better) |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW iX1
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
BYD ATTO 3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW iX1
- £23,7132023Car360View
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
BYD ATTO 3
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the BYD ATTO 3 worth the extra £1,925 over the BMW iX1?
The BYD ATTO 3 costs £1,925 more than the BMW iX1. For that premium it adds 90 kW faster peak rapid charging, 80 kW more power and a 3.1s quicker 0-62mph time. The BMW iX1 is not just cheaper - it also offers 50 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the BMW iX1 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the BYD ATTO 3?
The BMW iX1 is £1,925 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the BMW iX1 comes out roughly £2,045 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 267 miles for the BMW iX1 and 263 miles for the BYD ATTO 3 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-35 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW iX1 or the BYD ATTO 3?
The BMW iX1 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 30 mm narrower than the BYD ATTO 3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 555 mm of total clearance for the BMW iX1 and about 525 mm of total clearance for the BYD ATTO 3. The BYD ATTO 3 also turns in a 1.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW iX1 or the BYD ATTO 3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the BMW iX1 and 90% for the BYD ATTO 3. That gives the BYD ATTO 3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. The BYD ATTO 3's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW iX1's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW iX1 comparisons
More BYD ATTO 3 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among long-range EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among the best city EVs
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW iX1 (2022 on): xDrive30 or eDrive20, Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used BMW iX1 buyer’s guide: xDrive30 vs eDrive20, the driveshaft recall, warranty left, real-world range, option packs, what to pay, when a new one with the grant is better value, and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used BYD Atto 3 (2023 on): Warranty, Charging & What to Pay
A used BYD Atto 3 buyer’s guide: the original 60 kWh car vs the 2026 Atto 3 EVO, BYD’s long warranty, slow rapid charging, insurance, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .