BYD gives popular SUV a huge boost

China’s BYD has just given the Atto 3 small electric SUV a major update for the domestic market.

According to a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing, as reported by Car News China, the Atto 3 now comes with the option of a considerably larger lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

This new larger 74.88kWh LFP battery pack bolsters the existing 49.92 and 60.48kWh LFP battery options.

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As a result of having this larger battery, maximum claimed range for the Atto 3 is now a mammoth 650km, according to lenient CLTC testing.

For reference, the Atto 3 Essential with the 49.92kWh LFP battery offers 345km of WLTP range and the Atto 3 Premium with the 60.48kWh LFP battery offers 420km of WLTP range.

It produces 230kW and 360Nm, which is 80kW and 50Nm more than the current Atto 3 which is still on offer in Australia.

Previous reports also speculated this new electric motor could see it be in line for faster charger, with it likely to match the Seal’s 150kW DC charging limit. The current Atto 3 taps out at either 70kW or 88kW, depending on the variant.

Due to the larger battery pack, the Atto 3’s kerb weight is now higher than it's ever been. This particular variant has a kerb weight of 1880kg, which is around 200-250kg than the other variants.

While the exterior dimensions remain unchanged, the Atto 3 received a mild facelift in China earlier this year.

It has new front and rear bumpers, a larger air intake, revised LED headlights and tail-lights, as well as a new rear spoiler and new 18-inch alloy wheel options.

Additionally the charging port has been relocated from the front right wheel arch, to the rear rear wheel quarter panel.

BYD is embarking on a full scale assault of the Australian new-car market, with five new models to arrive in the coming months.

BYD will launch the Atto 2 electric SUV and Sealion 8 plug-in hybrid three-row family SUV.

This will be joined by the Atto 1 hatchback — called Seagull in China and other markets — which will likely be the cheapest EV on sale in Australia by some margin when it arrives.

BYD’s luxury and off-road focused sub-brand Denza will launch two vehicles soon, too.

First will be the mid-size B5 plug-in hybrid off-roader, which is based on the Shark 6 ute, and the Toyota Prado-rivalling B8 four-wheel drive.

BYD has also made claims it wants to be a top three best-selling carmaker in Australia by the end of 2026.

As it currently stands, BYD has sold a total of 41,882 vehicles in the first 10 months of 2025, putting it at eighth place. Its year-to-date (YTD) sales are up 147.6 per cent compared to the same period last year, making it one of the quickest growing brands in Australia.