BYD Atto 3 EVO revealed for Australia

BYD has unveiled pricing and specifications for the heavily updated Atto 3 EVO, confirming the electric SUV will arrive in Australian showrooms from September with more power, longer range and faster charging.

The entry-level Dynamic opens the range at $41,990 plus on-road costs while the Premium EV starts from $46,990 plus on-road costs, just $2500 more than the outgoing Atto 3 Premium ($44,490 plus ORCs) despite the significant mechanical upgrades.

When the BYD Atto 3 launched in late 2022 it quickly became one of Australia's most popular electric vehicles, helping put the Chinese brand on the mainstream map.

While the styling changes are relatively subtle, the mechanical overhaul underneath is anything but.

The new Atto 3 EVO Premium abandons front-wheel drive in favour of rear-wheel drive.

Power increase from 150kW to 230kW, along with torque from 310Nm to 380Nm. As a result, the Premium's claimed 0-100km/h sprint falls from 7.3 seconds to just 5.5 seconds, putting it firmly into performance SUV territory.

The switch to BYD's latest e-Platform 3.0 architecture brings an 800-volt electrical system, allowing DC charging speeds of up to 220kW. BYD claims the larger 74.88kWh Blade Battery can be replenished from zero to 80 per cent charge in 25 minutes.

Range has improved too, with the Premium now capable of travelling up to 510km on the WLTP cycle, compared with 420km for the standard Dynamic.

Inside, BYD has moved away from design elements that characterised the original Atto 3.

A new column-mounted gear selector frees up storage space, the digital instrument cluster grows from 5.0-inch to 8.8-inch, and wireless phone charging jumps from 15W to 50W.

Practicality has also improved. Rear boot capacity increases to 490 litres in the Premium, while the move to rear-wheel drive frees up space under the bonnet for a new 101-litre front trunk.

The exterior revisions are modest, bringing redesigned front and rear bumpers, full-width LED lighting signatures and new alloy wheel designs.

Perhaps the biggest surprise, however, is pricing.

Earlier international pricing suggested the comprehensive update could push the Atto 3 much closer to the $50,000 mark.

Instead, BYD has positioned the Dynamic at $41,990 plus ORCs and the Premium at $46,990 plus ORCs.

The Atto 3 remains BYD's cornerstone model in Australia despite an expanding local lineup that now includes, Dolphin, Sealion 6, Sealion 7 and Shark 6.

This EVO update arrives as competition in the affordable EV segment, with rivals such as the MG S5 EV, Kia EV3 and Geely EX5 all targeting the same growing pool of buyers.

Local deliveries are scheduled to commence in September.

How much does the BYD Atto 3 EVO cost?
Atto 3 Dynamic EV – $41,990
Atto 3 Premium EV – $46,990
*Prices exclude on-road costs

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