June 2024: Updated BYD Atto 3 arrives in Australia
The exceedingly popular BYD Atto 3 electric SUV has been given a light update for the 2024 model year, picking up a small handful of tweaks and a return to a sub-$45K starting price.
Headlining the changes is a $3512 cut, giving the 2024 BYD Atto 3 a ‘new’ entry price of $44,499 before on-road costs. The Atto 3 actually launched from $44,381 in 2022, but it was hit with a $3630 increase later that year.
On the styling front, there’s a new gloss black look to the D-pillar garnish and a new Cosmos Black body colour option, giving buyers a stealthy new option.
The previous Parkour Red and Forest Green exteriors have been deleted from the 2024 palette. Lastly, the ‘Build Your Dreams’ badging on the rear is gone, replaced with the regular BYD logo.
Rubber on the road is also upgraded, with the 2024 BYD Atto 3 now wearing Continental EcoContact 6 tyres in place of the Atlas Batman tyres previously fitted.
Updates to the interior of the 2024 BYD Atto 3 include an even bigger 15.6-inch main display – which still rotates from landscape to portrait orientation at the press of a button – along with dual-zone climate control.
Apple CarPlay is now wireless, and existing owners will get this as an over-the-air update. A karaoke feature has also been added, along with a ‘camping’ mode that enables air-conditioning even when the vehicle is off.
A new black-on-blue interior trim is also now available, specifically when the body is optioned in either Boulder Grey or Cosmos Black. Go for the Ski White or Surf Blue exterior options and you’ll get a lighter blue-on-grey interior trim.
Mike Stevens
2024 BYD Atto 3 pricing for Australia
| Model | Pricing |
|---|---|
| Atto 3 Standard Range | $44,499 (down $3512) |
| Atto 3 Extended Range | $47,499 (down $3512) |
| Prices exclude on-road costs |
What equipment is standard with the 2024 BYD Atto 3?
| 2024 BYD Atto 3 Standard Range features | |
|---|---|
| Continental EcoContact 6 tyres (new) | Six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat |
| 15.6-inch rotating infotainment system (new) | Four-way power-adjustable passenger seat |
| Dual-zone climate control (new) | Heated front seats |
| Karaoke function (new) | Tyre pressure monitoring |
| 50kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery | Wireless phone charger |
| 70kW maximum DC charge rate | Keyless entry and push-button start |
| 18-inch alloy wheels | NFC card key |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay (new) and Android Auto | Mode 2 portable charging cable |
| Eight-speaker Dirac audio system | Air filtration system |
| DAB+ digital radio | Tyre repair kit |
| USB-C and USB-A charge ports | Autonomous emergency braking |
| 5-inch digital instrument panel | Safe exit assist |
| Vehicle-to-load function | Lane departure warning |
| Regenerative braking | Lane-keep assist |
| LED exterior lighting | Blind-spot monitoring |
| Adaptive headlights | Rear cross-traffic alert with braking |
| Leather-accented upholstery | Adaptive cruise control |
What does upgrading add?
| 2024 BYD Atto 3 Extended Range features | |
|---|---|
| 60kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery | 88kW maximum DC charge rate |
February 2022: Atto 3 goes on sale in Australia
New car brand BYD launches its first electric car in Australia at a competitive price point.
Chinese car maker BYD has launched its first electric car in Australia, the BYD Atto 3. Named the Yuan Plus in its home country, the Atto 3 is priced from $44,990 drive-away and is covered by a seven-year warranty.
However, the sharp drive-away pricing for the standard range grade ($44,990) and extended range model ($47,990) applies only in Tasmania, with taxes and duties adding up almost three thousand dollars more in some states – further information can be found at EVDirect, which is the official importer and retailer in Australia, using a fixed online sales model. The Tasmanian pricing at least puts the BYD Atto 3 at the same price-point as the MG ZS EV (full review of the updated 2022 MG ZE EV model here).
Set to be delivered locally from July 2022, the Atto 3 has over 400km claimed driving range and a kit of useful and safe technology.
Underneath is the e-platform 3.0 used in BYD’s other electric cars and compatible with the latest 800-volt architecture. BYD Australia claims the local model is capable of charging in 90 minutes with an 80kW-max DC charging unit (likely not from 0-100 per cent, but charge range is not given). BYD’s own ‘Blade Battery’ technology uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells which are considered safer and more energy-dense in its battery packs.
Two batteries are available – the standard 50.1-kWh battery which has a claimed range of 320km on the WLTP cycle, and the extended range version with a 60.4kWh battery that reaches a claimed 420km on the same cycle. The single electric front motor produces 150kW and 310Nm of torque, which is good enough for a 0-100km/h in 7.3sec.
Outside, the Atto 3 design is said to be inspired by dragons and rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels, while inside the interior has a slightly futuristic bent, and in its home country at least it comes with a karaoke function. The centerpiece is a large 12.8-inch rotating touch screen with wireless phone charging and Bluetooth connectivity (Apple CarPLay and Android Auto unconfirmed). There is also an 8 speaker Dirac sound system, electrically adjustable front seats, electric opening tailgate, and a sunroof.
Dimensionally, the Atto 3 measures 4455mm long, with a 2720mm wheelbase which is longer than the Toyota Rav4 SUV and promises good space in the cabin. The rear seat is 60:40 split-fold with ‘up to 1330 litres of boot space with the rear seats down,’ although normal boot space with the seats up is not given.
On the safety front is AEB, front collision warning, rear collision warning, lane departure warning, intelligent cruise control, 7 SRS airbags, and ISOFIX anchors on the outer rear seats.
The new BYD Atto 3 is on sale in Australia via EVDirect and comes with a seven-year, unlimited km warranty, and a seven-year, 160,000km warranty on the battery (whichever comes first).
Alex Rae