BYD Atto 3 – What you need to know

Launched in 2022 as the first ‘Build Your Dreams’ model in Australia, the BYD Atto 3 is a Chinese-built, five-seat mid-size SUV that has quickly built up a solid following for value and all-round capability.

The Atto 3 is available in two model grades, Standard and Extended (referring to the driving range), and the EV has affordability on its side with prices starting at $44,499 plus on-road costs for the Standard.

The Extended opens at $47,499 plus ORCs.

A series upgrade (and price cut) announced in June 2024 includes software updates, a larger infotainment screen, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, revised window trim and rear pillar graphics, along with the addition of a blue and black toned interior.

The ‘Build Your Dreams’ rear badge has been ditched for BYD lettering.

Both the Standard and Extended Atto 3 are front-wheel drive, powered by a single electric motor. The Standard delivers a claimed 345km range (WLTP), compared to the Extended’s 420km.

There’s a lot more to compare to find the one that’s right for you, so let’s get stuck into it…

At $44,499 plus ORCs, the BYD Atto 3 Standard includes the following standard features:

Six exterior colours make up the palette for the BYD Atto 3 – Cosmos Black, Surf Blue, Forest Green, Boulder Grey, Parkour Red and Ski White – with all but Ski White attracting a $700 premium.

There’s no shortage of safety equipment and, in particular, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in the BYD Atto 3.

Both the Standard and Extended models have a 360-degree camera monitor, four rear and two front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functions, lane departure and lane keep assist, blind spot detection, forward and rear collision warnings, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), rear cross traffic alert, door open warning and tyre pressure monitoring.

Seven airbags are fitted, along with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic traction and stability control and hill descent control.

The BYD Atto 3 has a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on testing conducted in 2022.

With the 2024 update, all BYD Atto 3 models are now fitted with a 15.6-inch rotatable infotainment touch-screen – up from 12.8 inches – and software upgrades embracing Amazon music, a web browser, karaoke function and the BYD app store.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an AM/FM/digital radio, are played through eight HD speakers across the range.

Also found in both models is satellite navigation, voice assist, Bluetooth music and phone connectivity and streaming, a USB-A and USB-C point in both rows, a 12-volt socket, wireless smartphone charging, steering wheel-mounted audio and phone controls and, not least of all, a five-inch digital instrument display.

The mid-2024 update for the BYD Atto 3 has brought dual-zone air-conditioning with a camping mode that allows the climate control system to be activated when the car is turned off.

There are lights in the cargo area, vanity mirrors in the sun shades, reading lights in both rows, power windows with auto up/down and anti-pinch functions, plus cup and bottle holders for everyone.

Are leather seats a deal-maker? Synthetic leather covers the front and rear seats in both models.

Would you like the front seats to be power-adjusted? In both Atto 3 models, the front seats are powered: six ways for the driver and four ways for the passenger, and they come with a heating function as well.

Is a sunroof on the wish list? The good news here is both models have this luxury touch as standard; the panoramic sunroof is power-operated, with an anti-trap function.

What about a powered tailgate? This very handy feature also extends to both models, so you can save money as well.

Roof rails, I hear you ask? Again, they are a standard fixture on both.

Adding to the interior atmosphere is a multi-gradient ambient lighting system with music rhythm, while the convenience of keyless entry/start is always welcome.

Not stopping there, both Atto 3 models have power-adjustable, folding and heated door mirrors, LED headlights with follow-me-home function, LED tail-lights and LED daytime running lights.

Both models have 18-inch alloy wheels with Continental EcoContact 6 tyres.

As is often the case with EVs, both models have a tyre repair kit rather than a spare tyre.

Giving the BYD Atto 3 its propulsion is a permanent magnet synchronous motor producing 150kW of power and 310Nm of torque.

It drives the front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission and draws energy from a BYD Blade lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) high-voltage battery.

The battery has a capacity of 49.92kWh in the Standard and 60.48kWh in the Extended, which is a key point of difference between the two models.

Driving range is quoted at 345km in the Standard and 420km in the Extended model, based on the WLTP test.

Both can be fast-charged via a DC port at a rate up to 70kW for the Standard and 88kW for the Extended.

Plugging the Atto 3 into a standard domestic socket at home will take roughly nine hours to completely recharge its battery.

The BYD Atto measures 4455mm long, 1875mm wide and 1615mm tall, with a wheelbase length of 2720mm.

Ground clearance is up to 175mm.

Gross vehicle mass is 2090kg for the Standard and 2160kg for the Extended, while kerb weight sits at 1680kg for the Standard and 1750kg for the Extended.

The maximum braked towing capacity is 750kg on all models.

Cargo capacity in the five-seater BYD Atto 3 is 440 litres with the rear seats upright. This increases to 1340 litres when the 60/40-split folding rear seats are dropped down.

Like any EV, the first thing you notice in the BYD Atto 3 is the silence, which makes you realise how much ‘sound’ plays a part in recognising speed.

It is also quite zippy to drive and roomy inside.

For the outlay, the BYD Atto 3 has a good level of standard features, a decent driving range and up-to-date safety kit.

The only question is which model to buy?

To me, it’s a no brainer. For the extra three grand, I’ll go for the added convenience of the extra range brought with the Atto 3 Extended.

How much does the 2024 BYD Atto 3 cost?
Standard – $44,499
Extended – $47,49
*Prices exclude on-road costs