BYD Atto 3 transformed by huge 'EVO' update

The updated BYD Atto 3 – dubbed the EVO – has been revealed, with subtle styling revisions hiding transformative mechanical changes that will make the mid-size electric SUV very different to drive and own.

The Atto 3 EVO is dimensionally identical to its predecessor at 4455mm long, 1875mm wide and 1615mm tall with a 2720mm wheelbase, and there have been only subtle revisions to the exterior styling.

It’s a similar story inside, with BYD toning down some of the divisive quirkiness of the original, but the ‘sea shell’ door handles and ‘guitar strings’ on the doors remain, along with a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless smartphone mirroring, built-in Google functionality, an AI assistant and smartphone app connectivity.

A larger 8.8-inch digital instrument display improves legibility and equipment levels have been boosted, with heated and ventilated sports front seats, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof and vegan leather upholstery, along with a streamlined centre console with more storage.

Rear boot space has also increased from 440 litres to 490, complemented by the addition of a sizeable 101-litre frunk under the bonnet.

The relocation of the charging port from the front to the rear quarter is the main clue as to the changes beneath.

For starters, the regular single-motor Atto 3 has shifted from front- to rear-wheel drive and now develops 230kW/380Nm instead of 150kW/310Nm.

This slashes the 0-100km/h time from 7.3 seconds to 5.5, but speed demons can now choose an all-wheel drive dual-motor, which produces 330kW/580Nm and sprints to 100km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

A larger 74.88kWh battery (up from 60.48kWh in the previous Extended) increases maximum range from 420km to 510km (470km AWD) and AC and DC charging rates have been increased from 7kW and 80kW to 11kW and 230kW respectively.

Thanks to the latest 800-volt iteration of BYD’s e-platform 3.0 underpinning, charging from 10-80 per cent now takes just 25 mins.

What this enormous upgrade will do to the BYD Atto 3’s price is currently unknown, but it’s fair to assume it will result in increases over the current $39,990 list price for the Essential and $44,490 for the long-range Premium.

The updated Atto 3 EVO has not yet been confirmed for local sale, but with certification documentation for both the rear- and all-wheel drive variants already lodged with the government, we are unlikely to have long to wait.

It will form part of the BYD 2026 product offensive that looks to build on the brand’s incredible 156.2 per cent year-on-year sales increase in 2025.

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