New Atto 3

New Atto 3 is a massive update over the current model, even though it may not look like much

Instead of cosmetic upgrades, BYD has upgraded two crucial attributes, its power, and charging speed.

Power has gone up, by an impressive, fifty three percent, to a respectable two thirty kilowatt now.

Charging speed has gone up by a good seventy percent as well, now reaching 150 kilowatt.

One bad news thought, is that the kerb weight, has increased to almost 19 hundred kilograms.

Nevertheless, the pricing is expected to increase by five grand, that is forty five thousand Australian.

But bear in mind, the BYD Seal having the exact same electric motor costs fifty nine grand.

That's a fourteen thousand dollar drop from BYD, for a product capable of a sub-six second 0 to 100.

Whether BYD like it or not, this new Atto 3, is bound to cannibalize a good chunk of sales, from their own Sealion 7 EV.

However, never ever forget, that you can get a Ferrari killing acceleration under 35 grand in the market.

Watch on, if you don't believe it.

If you a smart guy, who thinks spending more than thirty five thousand dollars on a car is stupid, you are absolutely right. Because today, a Tesla Model 3 Performance, is available for a mouth watering, thirty five grand, in the used car market. But that's not all, a 2 year old, MG4 X-power is also available for the same price. It will be a tad bit slower than the Model 3 Performance in terms of acceleration. But the Tesla, that you will find at this price, will at least be five years old. Plus it will have at least a hundred and fifty thousand kilometers on the odo. While the X Power can be found with just forty thousand kilometers on the clock. Now coming to question of whether any petrol powered alternatives can be found with similar performance in the used car market? Then the answer is no. However, something slightly slower can certainly be found. The german hot-hatches, namely the Audi RS3, Mercedes A Class and the BMW 1 Series, all had their Flagship versions capable of pulling a sub five second sprint to a hundred kph some ten years ago. Now they are all available for less than 20 grand, except for the Audi RS3. But then, the Volkswagen group can be forgiven for it, as their Golf R takes it's place on the roster. Our favourites are the Beemers. The M one thirty five i is available for as low as sixteen thousand dollars, with a delicious inline-six turbo-petrol, mated to the ZF 8-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. To be honest, it doesn't make any sense to shell out an extra twenty grand for the EVs up there. If you want an even better driving experience then you can get the 2 series, with the limited slip differential. It is about eight grand more expensive, but is beyond doubt, the most effervescent alternative among this bunch. If you want something with all wheel drive, you have two choices. The Mercedes A45 AMG or the Golf R. The Golf R has a more liveable, and yet also the more entertaining suspension setup, while the Merc is objectively more capable. If you insist on X Power equalling acceleration, then the option of a stage 1 remap does exist. For example the Golf R with a reliable stage 1 remap from Revo, can crack the ton in four seconds flat. Not bad for a car that is available for seventeen grand right? If you insist on a brand new vehicle in this price range, then the i20 N is your best option. It is painfully slow compared to the used options tho. Plus it is only available with a manual gearbox. If you want an automatic, then the Swift Sport is your best bet. Else, you can stretch your budget to forty-one grand and go for a Polo GTi. Can't really imagine, who in their right minds would go for such slow and expensive front-wheel-drive appliances though. Especially when those entertaining Beemers, are thankfully, still available, for those who know where to find them.

230 kW (308 hp) 107 hp more than the outgoing version

800V Architecture

4455/1875/1615

wheelbase of 2,720 mm

curb weight of 1,880 kg (old 1,625 – 1,690 kg)

DC charging power of 150 kW two times more than the outgoing version

Model	Price before on-road costs
2025 BYD Atto 3 Essential Standard Range	$39,990 no Venti Seats
2025 BYD Atto 3 Premium Extended Range	$44,990 NO VENTI SEATS