BYD L3

BYD L3: which version to buy (1.5 MT vs 1.8 MT vs 1.8 CVT)

If you are choosing a BYD L3, the catalogue has one generation (2010–2015), one body (Sedan), and three named versions: 1.5 MT, 1.8 MT, and 1.8 CVT. There is no later L3 generation in this dataset for 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2025, or 2026 — those years sit after production stop 2015-12-31. The buy decision is therefore not “which generation,” but which of the three engines/gearboxes to live with.

If you are choosing a BYD L3, the catalogue has one generation (2010–2015), one body (Sedan), and three named versions: 1.5 MT, 1.8 MT, and 1.8 CVT. There is no later L3 generation in this dataset for 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2025, or 2026 — those years sit after production stop 2015-12-31. The buy decision is therefore not “which generation,” but which of the three engines/gearboxes to live with. Prices are not in the data, so “what the extra money buys” here means what extra power, torque, and mass the 1.8 versions add versus 1.5 MT, and what you give up when you pick 1.8 CVT instead of 1.8 MT.

BYD L3 generations: what actually changed

1 generation ran from 2010-01-01 to 2015-12-31. Body: Sedan. Versions in this generation: 3. Restyling is not listed as a separate generation. There is no second generation to compare against, so a 2013 L3 and a 2015 L3 in this catalogue are the same generation window; year of manufacture does not add a new engine table.

Because pokoleniy is 1, you cannot buy a “newer L3 generation” for more power or a different body. The only step-up inside the model is from 1.5 MT to the two 1.8 versions.

Searches such as “BYD L3 vs F3” name another model. This article has no F3 figures, so it does not rank L3 against F3.

BYD L3 engine and gearbox: the three versions side by side

All three use Gasoline, 4 cylinders, Inline layout, No boost, Front, transverse mounting, Distributed injection (multi-point), 92 fuel, FWD, front Independent, spring suspension, rear Semi-independent, torsion, front brakes Disc, rear brakes Disc, ground clearance 170. Valves per cylinder, compression ratio, and bore × stroke are not measured on every version.

1.8 MT and 1.8 CVT share the same peak output (121 hp / 89 kW, 160 Nm). They are not two engines; they are two gearboxes on the same 1800 Gasoline unit. Distinguish them by gearbox name, not by horsepower.

Power per litre and kg per hp (arithmetic on the catalogue)

Displacement of 1.5 MT is 1468; of both 1.8 versions, 1800. Difference: 332 (about 22.6% more swept volume on the 1.8).

Peak power: 121 − 105 = 16 hp more on 1.8 MT / 1.8 CVT than on 1.5 MT (15.2%). In kW: 89 − 77 = 12 kW.

Peak torque: 160 − 145 = 15 Nm more on the 1.8 (10.3%).

Power per litre:

• 1.5 MT: 105 / 1.468 ≈ 71.5 hp per litre
• 1.8 MT and 1.8 CVT: 121 / 1.800 ≈ 67.2 hp per litre

The smaller engine is the denser one: 1.5 MT makes about 4.3 hp per litre more than the 1.8. You are not buying a more highly stressed 1.8; you are buying 332 extra cubic centimetres and 16 hp.

Torque arrives earlier on the 1.8: peak 160 Nm is quoted at 3700 – 4200, versus 145 Nm at 4800 on 1.5 MT. Peak power rpm is 6000 on the 1.8 versus 5800 on 1.5 MT.

Kerb weight is measured only for the two manuals:

• 1.5 MT: 1180
• 1.8 MT: 1205
• 1.8 CVT: kerb not measured

Mass delta 1.8 MT versus 1.5 MT: +25. That is 2.1% more mass for 15.2% more peak hp.

Weight per horsepower (kerb ÷ hp):

• 1.5 MT: 1180 / 105 ≈ 11.24 kg per hp
• 1.8 MT: 1205 / 121 ≈ 9.96 kg per hp

1.8 MT carries about 1.28 kg less per hp than 1.5 MT. Gross weight is not measured on all three, so payload cannot be compared.

Performance and economy: what is measured, what is not

0–100 is not measured for 1.5 MT, 1.8 MT, and 1.8 CVT. Do not treat the extra 16 hp as a proven sprint time.

Top speed:

• 1.5 MT: 170
• 1.8 MT: 170
• 1.8 CVT: not measured

The extra 16 hp and 15 Nm on 1.8 MT do not raise the listed top speed above 1.5 MT. Both manuals stop at the same 170. Choosing 1.8 MT for a higher catalogue top speed is not supported.

Fuel use: city, highway, and combined are not measured for all three. Tank capacity is not measured. CO2 is not measured. Eco class is not measured. You cannot pick a version on mpg from this catalogue.

Dimensions and weight when choosing

Ground clearance is 170 on 1.5 MT, 1.8 MT, and 1.8 CVT. Clearance does not decide the version.

Wheel sizes are not measured on all three.

Kerb: 1180 (1.5 MT) vs 1205 (1.8 MT); 1.8 CVT kerb not measured. Gross mass not measured on all three.

Chassis labels do not split the range: same front Independent, spring, same rear Semi-independent, torsion, same Disc / Disc brakes, same FWD.

Which BYD L3 version to buy

Buy 1.5 MT if you want the lightest measured car and the densest engine

1.5 MT is the only 1468 version. It is the lightest measured kerb (1180, 25 below 1.8 MT). It still lists the same top speed as 1.8 MT (170), the same 5-speed Manual, the same FWD, the same 170 clearance, the same 92 Gasoline. Power per litre is the highest of the three (≈ 71.5 hp/L vs ≈ 67.2). Peak torque is later (4800 vs 3700 – 4200 on the 1.8) and lower (145 vs 160).

Choose 1.5 MT when the extra 16 hp and 15 Nm are not worth 332 more cubic centimetres and 25 more kerb. Economy is not measured, so this is not an mpg claim — only a smaller engine and less listed mass.

Buy 1.8 MT if you want the best measured power-to-weight in this catalogue

1.8 MT is the only version that combines the 121 hp / 160 Nm / 1800 engine with a measured kerb (1205) and a measured top speed (170). Weight per hp (≈ 9.96 kg/hp) beats 1.5 MT (≈ 11.24). Gearbox is the same type as 1.5 MT: Manual, 5 gears. Peak torque band 3700 – 4200 is earlier than 1.5 MT’s 4800.

What the step from 1.5 MT to 1.8 MT buys, in numbers only: +16 hp, +12 kW, +15 Nm, +332 displacement, +25 kerb, 0 change in listed top speed, 0 change in drive, clearance, boost, cylinder count, or fuel grade. 0–100 remains not measured on both.

Buy 1.8 CVT only if you specifically need Variable instead of Manual

1.8 CVT matches 1.8 MT on engine peaks: 121 hp, 89 kW at 6000, 160 Nm at 3700 – 4200, 1800, Gasoline, 4, Inline, No boost, FWD. Gearbox is Variable; number of gears is not measured. Top speed is not measured (unlike 170 on both manuals). Kerb is not measured (unlike 1180 / 1205). You cannot compute kg per hp for 1.8 CVT.

Versus 1.8 MT, the catalogue does not show more power, more torque, or a higher top speed. The documented difference is gearbox: Variable versus Manual 5. Versus 1.5 MT, you still get +16 hp and +15 Nm on paper, but you lose both measured top speed and measured kerb.

If you need figures you can compare — kerb, top speed, gears — 1.8 CVT is the least complete row. If the Variable gearbox is the requirement, it is the only L3 that has it.

What year of L3 does not change the version table

Production of this generation is 2010-01-01 through 2015-12-31. A search for BYD L3 2013 or BYD L3 2015 still points at these three names. Queries for 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2025, 2026, or “L300” are not additional versions in this dataset.

Short buy map

There is one generation and three versions. 1.5 MT and 1.8 MT are the two rows with a full measured pair of kerb + top speed. 1.8 MT is the stronger measured pair on power and torque; 1.5 MT is the lighter, smaller-displacement pair with the same listed 170. 1.8 CVT is the Variable option on the 121 hp engine, with more gaps in the measured columns.