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BMW iX1 vs BYD ATTO 3 (2023-2026)
Selected trimComfort · 2023-26Change trim261 mi · 60.48 kWh · £36,990
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 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 need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the BYD ATTO 3 (2023-2026) if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW iX1 wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueBMW
BMW
6.4
BYD
5.6
Motorway RangeBMW
BMW
5.9
BYD
4.1
FamilyBMW
BMW
7.4
BYD
6.9
ChargingBMW
BMW
4.1
BYD
2.1
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
9.3
BYD
6.2
City DrivingBYD
BMW
4.6
BYD
6.6
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £37,065 | £36,990 (better) |
| Official range | 320 miles (better) | 261 miles |
| Boot space | 490 L (better) | 440 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 35 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 7.3 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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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 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 90% of SUVs we track.
- One of 34 of 233 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 Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 (better) | 60.48kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 320 mi (better) | 261 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 130kW (better) | 88kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £37,065 | £36,990 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,315 (-£3,750) | £36,990 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2023+ | 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 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 320 miles (better) | 261 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 267 miles (better) | 213 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 35 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 130 kW (better) | 88 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 147 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 64.7 kWh (better) | 60.5 kWh |
| 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 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8.6 sec | 7.3 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | 150 kW |
| Torque | 247 Nm | 310 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW iX1eDrive20 Sport | BYD ATTO 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £23,250 | £19,474 |
| Average used price | £25,220 | £20,420 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 44 listings (better) | 34 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 13.8% over ~6 months | Down 1.2% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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)
Euro NCAP - BYD ATTO 3 Comfort (2023-26)
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users69%
Safety Assist74%
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 3Comfort (2023-26) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 250,000 km (better) |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW iX1
eDrive20 Sport
Owners love
- Owners rate the cabin quality, design and technology highly, and find the BMW app reliable
- Agile and enjoyable to drive for its size, with good visibility from the raised seating position
- Real-world range of around 220-260 miles in mild weather is commonly reported with sensible driving
Watch out for
- Winter and fast motorway driving cut range noticeably, with some owners seeing under 200 miles
- Many features were in paid option packs, so two cars of the same trim can be very differently equipped
- Some owners find the ride firm and road noise intrusive, and the seats less comfortable than rivals
Owner tips
- The front-wheel-drive eDrive20 goes further on a charge; the xDrive30 is quicker but rarely needed
- Check which option packs a car has, especially Technology Plus for adaptive cruise
BYD ATTO 3
Comfort (2023-26)
Owners love
- Owners and testers praise the generous standard equipment, including a panoramic roof, heat pump and extensive safety kit.
- The interior design is distinctive and the cabin roomy, so it works well as a family car.
- The ride is comfortable and soaks up bumpy roads.
Watch out for
- Real-world range is closer to 200 miles than the official 260.
- Rapid charging peaks at under 90 kW, slower than many rivals.
- The driving experience is soft, with body roll, light steering and weak regenerative braking.
Owner tips
- Expect about 200 miles in mixed driving and plan longer trips around rapid chargers.
- Get insurance quotes from several providers before you buy.
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
- £25,4492023Browns of RichmondView
- £23,2502023Browns of RichmondView
BYD ATTO 3
- £16,5862023Car360View
- £15,7992023Car360View
- £20,3332024Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW iX1 or the BYD ATTO 3?
The BYD ATTO 3 is £75 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 two land within £45 of each other - effectively the same to own. 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 213 miles for the BYD ATTO 3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The BMW iX1 goes roughly 53 miles further between charging stops. 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 92% 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 the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW iX1 and BYD ATTO 3 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
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 .