2026 BYD Atto 3: Next-generation electric SUV revealed in China

The heavily revised first-generation BYD Atto 3 has yet to arrive in Australian showrooms, and already the second-generation electric SUV has been unveiled at the 2026 Beijing motor show.

Longer and taller, the new Atto 3 also features sharper and edgier styling than the existing car, with the “dragon face” front-end linking the two generations together.

Like the exterior, the interior design seems a little more mature, but the barrel-shaped vents with vertical chrome ribs provide a sense of continuity between generations.

Thanks to China’s upcoming ban on Tesla-style flush door handles, the Yuan Plus has semi-concealed flush-fitting units.

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The new Yuan Plus/Atto 3 measures 4665mm long, 1895mm wide, 1675mm tall, and rides on a 2770mm wheelbase. That makes it 210mm longer, 20mm wider, and 60mm taller than the current car, with a 50mm longer wheelbase.

BYD claims the boot can swallow 750 litres worth of gear (likely measured up to the roof), while the ‘frunk’ under the bonnet can carry up to 180L of stuff. The power-operated frunk lid can be opened with a “simple tap”, which is meant to be a boon when your hands are full of shopping.

At launch in China, the Yuan Plus will be available with two drivetrain and battery combos, both featuring a single motor driving the rear wheels and second-generation Blade battery packs. In China the Yuan Plus works with the company’s Flash Charging network that can replenish the battery from five to 97 per cent in around nine minutes.

Lower-spec variants pair a 200kW electric motor with a 57.5kWh battery pack and 18-inch wheels for an estimated driving range of 540km under the generous CLTC standard.

Higher-spec models have a 240kW motor, 68.5kWh battery, and 19-inch wheels for a CLTC range estimate of 630km.

By way of comparison, the facelifted first-generation Atto 3 that’s just gone on sale in the UK is available in 230kW/380Nm rear-wheel drive, and 330kW/560Nm dual-motor all-wheel drive forms. Both are fitted with a 74.8kWh battery that’s good for a WLTP range of between 470km and 510km.

Top trim levels are available with a 16-speaker sound system, fridge, interior ambient lighting with 256 colour choices, a wireless smartphone charging pad that tops out at 50W, and wired phone charging that maxes out at 60W. There’s also a front passenger’s seat that can recline further than normal, and a panoramic glass roof.

Pricing and launch timing for the Chinese market has yet to be confirmed, and it seems like export markets will need to wait until next year, at the earliest, for the second-generation Atto 3.

For reference, the facelifted first-gen Atto 3 was unveiled in China in February 2025, and went on sale in the UK in February 2026 but deliveries aren’t set to commence there until some time during the second quarter of this year. Although the updated Atto 3 has been approved for sale in Australia, the revised model has yet to be launched locally.

MORE: Explore the BYD Atto 3 showroom