BYD Atto 3 vs Ford Everest
What's the difference?

BYD Atto 3

$39,990 - $46,990

2026 price

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Ford Everest

$58,990 - $83,417

2026 price

View pricing & specs

Chery Tiggo 8 PRO MAX

Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz EQS

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 BYD Atto 3

2026 Ford Everest

By Stephen Ottley

By Marcus Craft

Safety Rating

Electric motor type

Permanent Magnet

Diesel Turbo 4, 2.0L

Vehicle type

Battery Electric

Diesel

Electric range

480 km

7.1L/100km (combined)

Energy consumption

14.9 kWh/100km

Battery capacity

60.48 kWh

Seating

Likes

More enjoyable to drive
Well-equipped for the money
Improved cabin layout

Comfortable on-road
Capable off-road
Solid value-for-money

Dislikes

Looks the same despite big update
More expensive than before
Ride is quite firm at times

Doesn't have '4Auto' mode
Doesn't have Rock/Crawl drive mode
Doesn't have a 360-degree camera view

2026 BYD Atto 3 Summary

Back in 2022 a friend asked me if they should buy the then-new BYD Atto 3. My advice was to avoid such a new brand, because despite positive first impressions of the electric SUV I couldn’t comment with any certainty on the long-term prospects for BYD.

Well, fast forward to 2026 and things could not be more different. No brand exemplifies the seismic shift in the local car industry more than BYD.

It has emerged not only as the clear leader of the pack from the Chinese car brands, but has done so by taking risks and offering some unusual products. This new Atto 3 Evo is a prime example of that, because while it looks almost-identical to the old model, it has huge changes underneath.

When I say ‘huge’ I mean major upgrades like all-new, 800-volt underpinnings, bigger batteries and even a switch to rear-wheel drive - at least for one model.

BYD is selling one model, with the same name but two very different powertrains and layouts. It highlights the radical changes brought on by the electric revolution in the car industry and demonstrates the flexibility of these platforms compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

And also explains why BYD is no longer just a newcomer with an uncertain future but rather a well-established member of the mainstream market.

But would I recommend buying this new Atto 3 Evo? Read on…

@carsguide.com.au Here’s how the 2026 BYD Atto 3 Evo differs from the regular Atto 3. This Jaecoo J5 EV rival has flipped from front to rear-wheel drive. #byd #bydatto3 #ev #cartok #electriccar ♬ original sound - CarsGuide.com.au

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2026 Ford Everest Summary

Hold back your tears. The Ford Everest Ambiente and Trend have been dumped and a new variant, the Active, is now the entry-grade in a revamped Everest line-up.

The Active has a newly offered 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which produces less power and torque than the twin-turbo engine it replaces – down 29kW and 95Nm, respectively.

So, does the new engine make the Everest any better or worse on- and off-road? And does it yield improved fuel economy?

Read on.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 BYD Atto 3 2026 Ford Everest

Verdict

So, would I recommend this new Atto 3 Evo to my friend, or indeed anyone in the market for a mid-size electric SUV?

While it may look largely the same as it did back in 2022, the Atto 3 is now a far more compelling proposition than it was then. Certainly BYD has established itself in the market and that means there is more certainty for buyers.

But this new Atto 3 Premium is a big leap forward when it comes to the driving experience. And while that’s not likely to be a huge factor for most mid-size electric SUV buyers, given the price has only crept up marginally (by modern standards) it remains competitively positioned.

For context, the Leapmotor C10 is another mid-size, rear-wheel drive electric SUV from China and it is even more expensive than the Atto 3 and is, to be blunt, nowhere near as good.

If BYD continues to produce cars this good there’s no reason to believe it won’t be a major player for years to come.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer with accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

The Ford Everest has always been an impressive 4WD wagon, with useful day-to-day driveability and real off-road capability.

As standard, it has a lot going for it. It’s quiet and refined on-road, very capable off-road and it’s packed with features.

The 2.0-litre single-turbo Active is a solid entry-point into the Everest line-up and, though it lacks the polish of its higher-spec stablemates and doesn’t yield the kind of improvement in fuel economy you might have hoped for, it makes a strong case as a touring vehicle with plenty of aftermarket-build potential.

BYD Atto 3 vs Ford Everest What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

BYD Atto 3 vs Ford Everest
What's the difference?