At first look, the Fang Cheng Bao Tai 3 stands out with its boxy proportions and upright stance. In contrast to most BYD autos we’ve examined, it carries a design that feels nearer to an idea automotive, but it’s very a lot a manufacturing automotive. Because the debut mannequin in BYD’s new Tai sequence below the Fang Cheng Bao sub-brand, the Tai 3 is geared toward youthful drivers looking for a extra rugged look in a compact city SUV.
Costs vary from 133,800 yuan (approx. 18,600 USD) to 193,800 yuan (approx. 26,900 USD), with each rear- and all-wheel-drive variants obtainable throughout 5 trims. Measuring 4,605 mm in size, 1,900 mm in width, and as much as 1,930 mm in top with the elective drone module, the Tai 3 occupies an area between family-oriented crossovers and off-roaders, bridging the 2 with an unconventional strategy. BYD’s Fang Cheng Bao introduced lately that its Tai 3 mannequin deliveries have reached 10,000 models.
Exterior
The Tai 3 adopts a distinctly angular design, with squared-off traces and sharp surfaces that distinguish it from extra streamlined electrical SUVs. The entrance includes a tall nostril, slim LED headlights, and an upright grille, complemented by flared wheel arches that contribute to a sturdy look. On the rear, vertical taillights and a flat tailgate emphasise practicality. On variations geared up with the drone module, a roof hatch integrates the pod into the bodywork—an uncommon characteristic that provides to the mannequin’s visible identification with out overstating its goal.
Different considerate design parts embody excessive floor clearance, roof rails, and distinguished cladding across the wheel arches. All of those reinforce the Tai 3’s picture as an EV that’s not content material staying on asphalt. The stance is upright and assured, standing out even in crowded city heaps.
Inside
Inside, the design continues the rugged theme, incorporating a simple and practical format. The cabin options a mixture of bodily controls—together with a distinguished gear selector, rotary knobs, and a row of buttons—mixed with a 15.6-inch central touchscreen (12.8 inches on decrease trims). The system runs BYD’s DiLink 100 interface, which helps voice instructions, over-the-air updates, and built-in navigation.
The Tai 3 options an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster throughout all variants, with a 12-inch head-up show obtainable on greater trims. The entrance seats embody energy adjustment, heating, and air flow, whereas the rear seats present adjustable backrests and a centre armrest for added consolation. Sensible touches embody a 50W wi-fi charging pad and a temperature-adjustable storage compartment within the centre console. A 151L entrance trunk and a 28L exterior rear compartment present further storage and suppleness for day by day and occasional journeys.
The cabin design balances practicality with a couple of distinctive parts. It leans towards a practical strategy fairly than luxurious, with strong and sturdy supplies with out showing low-cost. The format is simple, with some unconventional touches that add character with out being overly stylised.
Behind the wheel
The cabin design prioritises practicality whereas incorporating delicate design particulars. Supplies are chosen for sturdiness and performance, avoiding a luxurious really feel however sustaining a high quality look. The format is user-friendly and simple, with modest accents that present some character with out drawing an excessive amount of consideration.
In city driving, the journey is smoother than the automobile’s rugged exterior would possibly suggest. The suspension adapts to completely different street situations, absorbing bumps and offering stability by turns. Steering is responsive and straightforward to deal with in tight areas. Though the automobile weighs 1,995 kg, it stays manageable and composed on the street.
We additionally evaluated its efficiency on tough terrain. The iATS (Clever Terrain System) adjusted driving modes routinely when encountering free surfaces. The automobile maintained management with out challenge, demonstrating the sensible operate of its know-how.
Regenerative braking is well-tuned, offering a pure really feel throughout low-speed driving, notably in stop-and-go visitors. When quick charging, the Tai 3 can recharge from 30% to 80% in about 18 minutes, which provides comfort for on a regular basis use.
Verdict
The Fang Cheng Bao Tai 3 is a recent tackle what a compact electrical SUV will be. It’s not attempting to out-luxury the phase or mimic old-school off-roaders—it’s carving out its personal identification. The design is daring, the tech is significant, and the {hardware} lives as much as the promise.
This isn’t a machine constructed for posh faculty runs or quiet commutes. It’s for drivers who need one thing completely different—an EV prepared to get its wheels soiled, even when it spends most of its time within the metropolis. With options just like the drone system and off-road traction tech, it’s not a toy or a gimmick. It’s a compact SUV with a way of goal and a little bit of character. That alone units it aside in a rising sea of comparable choices.
Keep tuned for subsequent week’s Sunday China Drive at Automotive Information China, the place you possibly can learn extra first-person evaluations of Chinese language vehicles.
