BYD F3

BYD F3: Which Version Should You Buy?

Choosing a BYD F3 from the catalogue data comes down to two decisions: generation and transmission. The first generation, produced from 2005 to 2014 as a Hatchback 5-door, offers five listed versions with outputs from 95 to 107 hp.

Choosing a BYD F3 from the catalogue data comes down to two decisions: generation and transmission. The first generation, produced from 2005 to 2014 as a Hatchback 5-door, offers five listed versions with outputs from 95 to 107 hp. The second generation, produced from 2012 to 2021 as a Sedan, narrows the range to two 107 hp versions and adds a choice between a 5-speed Manual and a 6-speed Robotic gearbox. Buyers prioritizing the strongest power-to-weight ratio should start with the second-generation 1.5 MT, while those wanting the lowest recorded highway consumption should examine the first-generation 99 hp or 95 hp 1.5 MT.

Generations: what changed?

The first-generation BYD F3 was produced from 2005 to 2014 and is catalogued as a Hatchback 5-door. Its five versions include three distinct 1.5 MT specifications—95, 99, and 107 hp—and two 1.6 MT entries with identical 100 hp output but differences in engine position, compression data, suspension description, fuel consumption, ground clearance, and gross weight. Every first-generation version uses FWD and a 5-speed Manual gearbox.

The second-generation BYD F3 was produced from 2012 to 2021 and is catalogued as a Sedan. Its two versions share the same 1,497 cc Gasoline engine, 107 hp output, 145 Nm torque, FWD layout, and 1,210 kg kerb weight. The practical choice is between the 5-speed Manual 1.5 MT and the 6-speed Robotic 1.5 DSG. Compared with the most powerful first-generation 1.5 MT, the second-generation engine adds 1 Nm and 9 cc while retaining 107 hp.

The production periods overlap: the first generation continued until 2014, while the second began in 2012. Consequently, a model year alone does not reliably identify the generation; the listed body type and exact engine specification matter.

BYD F3 engine and specs

The three first-generation versions named 1.5 MT must be distinguished by power. The 95 hp model produces 120 Nm, the 99 hp model produces 134 Nm, and the 107 hp model produces 144 Nm. Their calculated specific outputs are approximately 64.7, 67.4, and 71.9 hp per litre respectively. The second-generation 1.5 MT and 1.5 DSG each produce approximately 71.5 hp per litre.

Both first-generation 1.6 MT versions make approximately 63.1 hp per litre. Their catalogued engine-location entries differ: the 1,545 kg gross version has engine location not measured, while the 1,555 kg gross version is Front, longitudinal. The latter also lists a 9.5 compression ratio; compression ratio for the former is not measured.

Performance, fuel economy and mpg comparison

The quickest listed F3 is the first-generation 1.6 MT with 1,545 kg gross weight, reaching 100 km/h in 11.5 seconds. However, the second-generation 1.5 MT is recorded at 11.0 seconds, making it 0.5 seconds quicker. It also uses 0.6 L/100 km less in the city and 0.3 L/100 km less combined, although the older 1.6 MT uses 0.3 L/100 km less on the highway and has a top speed 10 km/h higher.

Within the second generation, the 1.5 MT has the clearer numerical advantage. It is 1.0 second quicker to 100 km/h and consumes 0.3 L/100 km less in the city, 0.4 L/100 km less on the highway, and 0.3 L/100 km less combined than the 1.5 DSG. The 1.5 DSG buys the 6-speed Robotic transmission rather than extra engine performance: both versions have 107 hp, 145 Nm, and a 170 km/h top speed.

For minimum recorded highway consumption, the first-generation 99 hp and 95 hp 1.5 MT versions lead at 4.7 L/100 km. For minimum city consumption, the first-generation 1.6 MT with 1,555 kg gross weight leads at 7.2 L/100 km. The lowest combined figure is 6.2 L/100 km for the second-generation 1.5 MT. MPG values are not measured in the supplied data; consumption is recorded only in L/100 km.

BYD F3 dimensions, weight and clearance

Overall exterior dimensions are not measured for any listed version. Wheel sizes are also not measured across both generations.

The first-generation 107 hp 1.5 MT has the best calculated power-to-weight figure at approximately 11.21 kg per hp. The second-generation versions follow at approximately 11.31 kg per hp. The weakest result is approximately 12.63 kg per hp for the first-generation 95 hp 1.5 MT.

Most versions provide 170 mm of ground clearance. The exception is the first-generation 1.6 MT with 1,545 kg gross weight, which has 160 mm—10 mm less. Every listed version has a 50 L fuel tank.

BYD F3 problems, reliability and service information

Problems, reliability records, maintenance intervals, engine-oil specifications, engine-mount details, and service-manual availability are not measured in the supplied data. These factors therefore cannot be used to rank the versions. Prices, regional prices, and cars for sale are also not measured, so the catalogue cannot determine which version offers the best value at a particular purchase price.

The recorded mechanical layout is consistent in several areas: every version uses Gasoline, 4 Inline cylinders, No boost, distributed multi-point injection, FWD, ventilated front discs, and rear discs. Front suspension is Independent, spring throughout the range. The second-generation versions list Semi-independent, spring rear suspension, while most first-generation entries list Semi-independent, torsion rear suspension. The first-generation 99 hp 1.5 MT instead lists Semi-independent, spring rear suspension.

Which BYD F3 version should you buy?

Choose the second-generation 1.5 MT for the strongest all-round set of recorded figures. Its 107 hp and 145 Nm are the highest outputs in the catalogue, its 11.0-second acceleration is the quickest, and its 6.2 L/100 km combined consumption is the lowest. Its approximately 11.31 kg/hp power-to-weight ratio is only about 0.10 kg/hp behind the best result.

Choose the second-generation 1.5 DSG if the 6-speed Robotic gearbox is the priority. It provides no power or top-speed advantage over the 1.5 MT, and its recorded acceleration and consumption are worse, so the transmission itself is what distinguishes it.

Choose the first-generation 107 hp 1.5 MT for the best calculated power-to-weight ratio and a 180 km/h top speed. At approximately 11.21 kg/hp, it improves on the second-generation cars by about 0.10 kg/hp, but its 12.3-second acceleration is 1.3 seconds slower than the second-generation 1.5 MT and its combined consumption is 0.3 L/100 km higher.

Choose the first-generation 99 hp 1.5 MT or 95 hp 1.5 MT when the lowest recorded highway consumption matters most. Both achieve 4.7 L/100 km on the highway, but the 99 hp car has 4 hp and 14 Nm more while sharing the same 12.1-second acceleration and consumption figures. It is also 30 kg lighter, giving it the stronger numerical case.

Among the first-generation 1.6 MT entries, the 1,545 kg gross version is the performance choice, while the 1,555 kg gross version is the economy-and-clearance choice. The former reaches 100 km/h 0.8 seconds sooner, but the latter consumes 1.3 L/100 km less in the city and 0.5 L/100 km less on the highway, while providing 10 mm more ground clearance.