BYD Atto 3 gets its biggest overhaul yet: The EV that started it all for the Chinese giant gets more power, range and faster charging

The BYD Atto 3 electric SUV that launched the Chinese brand into the Australian mainstream has received its first major overhaul.

The MY26 Atto 3 EVO brings more range, faster charging and extra equipment to both models, while the flagship Premium (pictured above) switches from front- to rear-wheel drive and gets a major performance boost.

Prices rise $2000 across the range, with the new entry-level Dynamic replacing the Essential at $41,990 before on-road costs and the Premium climbing to $46,990.

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This is a timely upgrade as the Atto 3 has been joined in an increasingly crowded space by rivals such as the Geely EX5, Deepal S07, GAC Aion V, Hyundai Elexio and Leapmotor C10.

The Dynamic effectively moves into the outgoing Premium’s battery and range territory, while the new Premium becomes a substantially different EV with an 800-volt electrical architecture, much faster charging, a bigger battery and 80kW more power.

The outgoing $39,990 Essential combines a 49.92kWh BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with a 150kW/310Nm front-mounted electric motor. It has a claimed 345km WLTP range and takes 7.9 seconds to accelerate from 0-100km/h.

The new $41,990 Dynamic retains the 150kW/310Nm front-drive layout but steps up to a 60.48kWh battery and 420km WLTP range – essentially matching the battery capacity and range of the outgoing $44,990 Premium.

That means the entry price has increased by $2000, but buyers get an extra 10.56kWh of battery capacity and 75km of claimed range.

DC fast-charging capability also improves substantially, rising from 70kW in the outgoing Essential to 110kW in the Dynamic. BYD claims the new model can charge from zero to 80 per cent in 41 minutes.

It also moves from 17-inch to 18-inch alloy wheels.

But the more dramatic transformation happens further up the range.

The outgoing Premium is also front-wheel drive and uses the same 150kW/310Nm motor as the Essential, combined with the 60.48kWh battery now fitted to the new Dynamic.

Its claimed WLTP range is 420km and 0-100km/h takes 7.3 seconds.

The $46,990 Atto 3 EVO Premium switches to rear-wheel drive and lifts outputs to 230kW and 380Nm, dropping the 0-100km/h time to 5.5 seconds.

Battery capacity increases to 74.88kWh and claimed WLTP range jumps 90km to 510km.

The Premium also moves from a 400V to an 800V electrical architecture and its maximum DC charging rate rockets from the outgoing car’s 88kW to 220kW.

BYD claims a zero-to-80 per cent charge now takes 25 minutes, while maximum AC charging increases from 7kW to 11kW.

Braked towing capacity also doubles from 750kg to 1500kg.

Both EVO models retain 3.3kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, allowing their batteries to power external electrical equipment.

Despite all the mechanical changes, the Atto 3’s basic dimensions haven’t moved. It remains 4455mm long, 1875mm wide and 1615mm tall on a 2720mm wheelbase.

Instead, BYD has reworked the exterior with a redesigned front bumper, full-width daytime running lights, slimmer side skirts and revised rear styling incorporating full-width Chinese-knot LED tail-lights. Both versions also get new 18-inch alloy wheel designs.

Inside, the centre-console gear selector has been replaced by a column-mounted shifter, freeing up space between the front occupants, while the tiny 5.0-inch driver’s instrument display fitted to the outgoing Atto 3 grows to 8.8 inches.

Wireless phone charging output increases from 15W to 50W, while the EVO also introduces redesigned door trims and seats, a new steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, a sunglasses holder and revised ambient lighting.

The Dynamic gets a six-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat and heated and ventilated front seats, along with an eight-speaker sound system.

Premium adds dual-zone climate control and four-way powered lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat.

Moving the Premium’s drive motor from the front axle to the rear has also freed up space under the bonnet for a new 101-litre front boot.

Rear luggage capacity increases to 490 litres, with 1360L available with the rear seats folded.

There is a small discrepancy in BYD’s own figures here. The EVO press release says the outgoing boot held 434L, whereas BYD’s current Australian specification brochure lists 440L. The outgoing brochure and EVO release both quote 1340L with the rear seats folded.

Safety equipment has also expanded. Both models add child presence detection, which can detect an occupant remaining in the vehicle after it has been locked, and a driver monitoring system designed to identify fatigue and distraction.

The Premium additionally gains front cross-traffic alert and front cross-traffic braking.

Launched locally in late 2022, it was the model that established BYD as a serious volume player here, before an expanding range of EVs and plug-in hybrids accelerated the brand’s growth.

The MY26 BYD Atto 3 EVO is available to order now, with Australian deliveries due to begin in September.

2026 BYD Atto 3 EVO pricing (before on-road costs)

Dynamic – $41,990
Premium – $46,990

Outgoing BYD Atto 3 pricing (before on-road costs)

Essential – $39,990
Premium – $44,990

BYD Atto 3 Premium: old v new technical specifications

Key equipment: current Premium v Atto 3 EVO

BYD Atto 3 entry model: old Essential v new EVO Dynamic

• Source: https://evcentral.com.au/byd-atto-3-gets-its-biggest-overhaul-yet-the-ev-that-started-it-all-for-the-chinese-giant-gets-more-power-range-and-faster-charging/