rewrite this title with different wordingBYD Atto 3 vs. Deepal S07 | Checkmate for Local EV Makers in Pakistan

Another quarter, another brand launch in Pakistan. Finally, it seems like the Chinese EV revolution has made it’s way to Pakistan now. BYD and Deepal, the two biggest and oldest electric car manufacturers worldwide, will introduce their operations in mid-August 2024, Deepal will be launched on the 16th of August and BYD on the 17th of August.

According to official sources, BYD is bringing three models, i.e., Atto 3, Dolphin, and a PHEV Sealion 6. Similarly, Deepal is bringing two EV models, i.e., L07 and S07.

Based on our team’s hard-core research, S07 and Atto 3 crossovers are the two best contenders for each other, segment-wise, size-wise, and price-wise, even though their origin is the same: China. In this first series, we’ll compare S07 and Atto 3 first.

Note: This article reflects the editors’ opinions based on currently available information. The final features of the launch model may differ, and individual preferences may vary. We do not guarantee that the features mentioned here will be present in the launch model.

BYD Atto 3 | Our First Look Opinion

BYD Atto 3, a pure Chinese-origin EV crossover that aims to find a place in your buying decision if you’re looking for cars like Hyundai IONIQ 6, ORA 07 (owned by Haval in Pakistan), and MG ZS EV. 

Most people in Pakistan might be hearing BYD for the first time. However, this company operates multiple electronic component manufacturing businesses in China, including smartphone batteries, electric buses, electric motors, and semiconductor chips. 

Coming back to BYD’s Atto 3, the car gives off pure European vibes. The materials used are very high-grade, don’t look cheap, and the paint quality seems fine on closer inspection.

Like any other Chinese-originated car, it also has a very unconventional interior that no one was expecting. Inspired by the Ocean waves, it looks good to us, though. The buttons are very clicky and satisfying to press, and the PU leather is also nicely finished. 

The overall drive quality is ergonomic, and it seems like long travel is possible with this machine without fatigue. However, it’s an EV, so currently, you can’t do any long tours in it in Pakistan. 

Deepal S07 | Our First Look Opinion

The best contender of BYD Atto 3 is the Deepal S07. If you don’t know about Deepal, it’s a brand owned by Changan Motors. Also, Deepal states that they have been making cars since 1959 and are one of China’s oldest auto manufacturers. 

The S07 model is a mid-size C-segment crossover, and its design language is opposite that of Atto 3. While Atto 3 uses more fancy and cool-looking language like Audi’s, Deepal focuses on a sleek and simple interior, just like Tesla’s.

The S07’s driveability is just as good as that of any Japanese or Korean brand. It’s smooth and packed with hi-tech goodies and comfort, and cabin isolation is good enough for Pakistani roads.

Sit in the car, and you’ll feel like you’re wrapped in a cacoon of luxury. The cabin space is generous, almost similar to any D-segment car like the Sonata and BMW 7 Series. Seats are highly ergonomic, and they will wrap you around from the sides. 

The door panels have nice wooden handles, and the dashboard is made of black PU leather with body paint-colored stitching. The overall look of the interior is simple and sleek, and the display controls the majority of the functions, just like in the Tesla.

Performance and Under the Floor

Here is the on-paper comparison of the specs sheet of both cars:

The torque on both cars is almost exact, and you hardly find a difference in practical life. But the edge that the S07 will give you is its RWD drivetrain, so you get better handling and stability than the FWD of Atto 3. To counter that, Atto 3 is 69 HP faster than S07 so that the top speed figures will be higher for Atto 3 as well.

Interior

Here’s the interior difference:

Everything in the interior looks nice and premium, but we don’t like the guitar strings on the door panels near the speakers.

Safety and Security

Both cars are fully packed with safety and security features:

About BYD and Deepal | What We Know So Far

BYD is bringing two EV models and one PHEV model. The two EVs are Dolphin and Atto 3, while the PHEV is Sealion 6. We don’t know about the price of the EV models, but Sealion 6’s starting invoice price will be close to 1.1-1.4 crore PKR. This brand’s official launch is coming on August 17, 2024. 

Deepal is bringing two EV models, L07 and S07. The L07 is a D-segment premium sedan that will compete with the Tesla Model 3, but price-wise, it’ll be 50% less than the Model 3 (almost). The 2nd model, S07, is a crossover with almost the same dimensions as MG HS and Kia Sportage. Deepal’s brand launch in Pakistan is set for August 16. 2024, just a day before the launch of BYD. So far, we know about the pricing; one of these two cars will have a price tag of 1.7 crore PKR.