The BYD New F3R is the Chinese automaker’s answer for those needing a five-door hatchback with more car-like characteristics. Fitting into the compact class, the New F3R offers tidy exterior dimension for city dwellers while still offering a decent amount of room inside.

While BYD->ke4952 offers some rather surprising technology in a few of its cars, the New F3R is left out in the cold. A push-button start, a power sunroof, dual front occupant airbags, brakes that include ABS and electronic brake distribution, and an alarm system seem to be the only real features. Of course, that leaves room for a budget-friendly price tag at the end of the day.

BYD does offer the New F3R with its standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional CVT. Both transmissions are bolted to the same 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Those equipped with the CVT do get 14 extra horsepower, totaling 120. The manual-equipped cars make do with 106 horses.

Though BYD is pushing to enter the U.S. market, it’s unlikely the New F3R will make the jump. Crash test and emissions standards, along with a dull design, are its limiting factors. Now that’s not to say BYD couldn’t heavily revise the New F3R to become sellable in the U.S., but all the needed changes would basically constitute an all new vehicle.

Click past the jump for more information on the New F3R

Exterior

The outside of the New F3R is all function. Jeweled headlights, some chrome accents around the car, and alloy wheels are the only dressier bits to the design. What it lacks in style, it makes up for in usefulness. Its rear liftback opens wide for easy storage of items inside while the four-door design offers seating for five.

Its smaller dimensions also make it an easy car to drive in crowded cities where space is at a premium.

Exterior Dimensions

Interior

Things inside are, well, equally boring. A plain-Jane dashboard is dressed up by a two-tone color scheme and a bright gauge cluster for the driver. A standard radio and conventional, knob-type HVAC controls populate the center stack. That gauge cluster does feature some LCD screens that show vehicle information like engine coolant temperature, fuel level, and mileage information. The seats and steering wheel can be optioned with leather.

In back, the rear seats offer spots for three. When more cargo room is needed, the seatbacks fold down, offering a generous load floor that combines with the rear cargo area.

Drivetrain

Powering the New F3R is a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, and a single overhead cam controls the 16 valves. The engine’s output is dependent on the transmission it’s connected to. Those with the five-speed manual produce 106 horsepower and 106 pound-feet of torque. Those with the CVT get a little more grunt, coming in at 120 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque.

The 0-to-60-mph time for both configurations are likely to be around the 15-second mark, while top speeds are listed at 106 mph for the manual and 109 for the CVT.

Drivetrain/Specifications

Prices

BYD does not list a price for the New F3R on any materials we could find, but our speculation would put the price around the equivalent of $9,000. Expect to pay a premium for the CVT transmission and leather interior.

Competition

Mazda2

The Mazda2 is a solid little hatchback that offers a decent amount of passenger room with a tidy exterior size. Its folding rear seat offers an expandable cargo area like the New F3R.

The Mazda2 is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder making 100 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic are responsible for the shifting. While 100 horsepower isn’t a lot, it does afford some decent gas mileage at 29 city and 35 mpg highway.

Prices for the Mazda2 start at $14,720 and rise $16,500 with the top trim and a few options.

Kia Rio 5-Door

Like the Mazda2, the Kia Rio 5-Door offers a ton of equipment in a tight package. Customers can choose such niceties as a touchscreen infotainment system, a large sunroof, and leather seats. Of course, the rear seats fold flat for extra cargo storage.

The Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that makes an impressive 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual or six-speed automatic are the two transmission choices.

Prices for the Rio 5-Door start at just $13,990 and go north from there.

Conclusion

The BYD New F3R is an aging compact hatchback in a quickly changing world with low-budget interior amenities and exterior design that hold it back. It’s highly unlikely BYD will import the New F3R into the States, but don’t count out something of this size coming from the company in the future. BYD is trying rather hard at entering the States and with its other high-class products, it might just do that.