Over 8 years and 96,000 km, the Kia Seltos (petrol) still works out about Rs 7,26,940 cheaper to own than the BYD Atto 3 — the purchase-price gap outweighs the fuel savings at average mileage.
The BYD Atto 3 (Dynamic 49.92 kWh) is priced at Rs 24,99,000 ex-showroom against Rs 11,00,000 for the Kia Seltos (petrol) — a gap of Rs 13,99,000. What decides the comparison is running cost: at Rs 8 per kWh home charging the BYD Atto 3 costs about Rs 1.08 per km, while the Kia Seltos (petrol) at 17.0 km/l and Rs 104.95 per litre costs about Rs 6.17 per km. Figures as of August 2026.
BYD Atto 3 snapshot
| Battery | 49.92 kWh |
| Claimed range (MIDC) | 468 km |
| Realistic range | ~370 km |
| Real-world efficiency | ~7.4 km/kWh |
| Petrol rival | Kia Seltos (petrol) — Rs 11,00,000, 17.0 km/l |
8-year cost of ownership: BYD Atto 3 vs Kia Seltos (petrol)
Assuming 1,000 km a month, petrol prices rising 5% a year, electricity 3% a year, and typical SUV insurance and maintenance:
| Cost head (8 years) | BYD Atto 3 | Kia Seltos (petrol) |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase (ex-showroom) | Rs 24,99,000 | Rs 11,00,000 |
| Charging / fuel | Rs 1,15,360 | Rs 7,07,420 |
| Insurance | Rs 3,04,000 | Rs 2,80,000 |
| Maintenance | Rs 96,000 | Rs 2,00,000 |
| Total | Rs 30,14,360 | Rs 22,87,420 |
Run the comparison with your own usage
The calculator below is preloaded with the BYD Atto 3 and Kia Seltos (petrol) figures. Change the monthly kilometres, electricity rate or ownership period to match your situation — the break-even point shifts a lot with mileage.
Prefilled with BYD Atto 3 figures (ex-showroom price, real-world efficiency). Adjust any value to match your usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BYD Atto 3 cheaper than the Kia Seltos (petrol) in the long run?
Over 8 years and 96,000 km, the Kia Seltos (petrol) still works out about Rs 7,26,940 cheaper to own than the BYD Atto 3 — the purchase-price gap outweighs the fuel savings at average mileage.
What is the per-km running cost of the BYD Atto 3?
About Rs 1.08 per km with home charging at Rs 8 per kWh, versus about Rs 6.17 per km for the Kia Seltos (petrol).
When does the BYD Atto 3 break even with the Kia Seltos (petrol)?
At 1,000 km a month the BYD Atto 3 does not overtake the Kia Seltos (petrol) within 8 years — it needs higher monthly running to break even.
What is the real-world range of the BYD Atto 3?
The claimed MIDC range is 468 km, but a realistic figure is around 370 km — roughly 79% of the claimed number.