BYD has confirmed the Atto 3 Evo electric SUV for Australian dealerships, delivering major upgrades and more powertrain choices for the brand's longest-running model in the local lineup.

The updated small to medium electric SUV is already available in the UK and select European markets, yet Australian specifications remain under wraps, leaving local pricing, grade structure and equipment details unknown for now. The present front-wheel drive Atto 3 starts from $39,990 before on-road costs.

The company has placed an expression of interest page for the Atto 3 Evo on its Australian site, with first customer deliveries slated for September 2026.

It forms part of a wave of new BYD models coming to Australia, joining the recently launched Seal 6 Touring and M9 people mover, while a hybrid Atto 2 small SUV remains a possible future addition.

Although exterior styling stays close to the current Atto 3 and overall dimensions match exactly, the Evo introduces meaningful advances over the existing model that competes with compact electric SUVs such as the MG S5 EV, Geely EX5 and Jaecoo J5.

Key changes include BYD's latest e-Platform 3.0 Evo 800V setup, which gives the vehicle its name and brings rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive options alongside the existing front-wheel drive variant.

The four-year-old front-wheel drive Atto 3 is expected to stay on sale, while the rear-wheel drive Evo will likely sit above it at a higher price point. The all-wheel drive Atto 3 Evo is unlikely to reach Australia, as its cost could near that of the larger Sealion 7 mid-size electric SUV priced from $54,990 before on-road costs.

In overseas markets the rear-drive Atto 3 Evo delivers 230kW and 380Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 5.5 seconds. It pairs a 74.8kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate battery with up to 510km of WLTP range.

This marks a clear step up from Australia's current Atto 3 Essential, which produces 150kW and 310Nm, reaches 0-100km/h in 7.9 seconds and uses a 49.9kWh battery for 410km WLTP range.

The existing Atto 3 Premium employs a 60.5kWh battery to reach 420km WLTP range and trims its 0-100km/h claim to 7.3 seconds.

The Evo also supports much quicker DC charging at a peak of 220kW versus the current model's 70kW and 88kW limits, with BYD stating a 10 to 80 per cent charge takes about 25 minutes.

The all-wheel drive Atto 3 Evo adds a front motor for combined outputs of 330kW and 560Nm. Despite the same 74.8kWh battery, performance reduces WLTP range to 470km and cuts the 0-100km/h claim to 3.9 seconds.

Both Evo variants include 3.3kW vehicle-to-load capability.

Inside, boot space grows by 50 litres to 490L despite unchanged exterior measurements, expanding to 1360L with rear seats folded. A new 101L front trunk appears, while the current Atto 3 offers none.

The cabin gains a 15.6-inch rotating central touchscreen as standard, replacing the 12.8-inch unit in the Essential and 15.6-inch screen in the Premium.

The refreshed infotainment system introduces Google services, AI voice control, NFC key access and wireless phone charging, while the digital cluster expands from 5.0 inches to 8.8 inches.

Further updates include a new five-link rear suspension replacing the prior four-link design to boost ride comfort, stability and second-row space. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels carry over.

The Atto 3, BYD Australia's first SUV since the brand launched locally in 2022, posted a 64.6 per cent year-on-year sales rise in the first half of 2026.

The model added 3052 sales to BYD's year-to-date total, supporting the brand's rise to second place behind Toyota in both May and June 2026, driven by the Sealion 7 electric SUV and Shark 6 dual-cab ute.