KATHMANDU: BYD has upgraded its popular Atto 3 electric SUV for the 2026 model year with more power and better performance.
The updated version has completed its registration in China, confirming a stronger rear-wheel-drive setup, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
The new version now delivers 230 kW (308 hp), giving it 107 more hp than the current model. It uses the same electric motor as the BYD Seal sedan and the Denza N7 crossover.
The Atto 3 is also expected to get an 800V high-voltage system, which should allow much faster DC charging up to 150 kW, almost twice as fast as the current model.
The Atto 3, known as the Yuan Plus in China, was first launched in February 2022. It has reached over 110 countries and sold more than one million units.
However, it had begun to feel a bit outdated compared to newer rivals.
BYD gave the Atto 3 a smaller update in March 2025 with improved driver-assist features. This new update focuses on power and efficiency instead.
On the outside, the SUV keeps its familiar look with a large trapezoid air intake, smoked headlights, black D-pillars and new 18-inch wheels. It measures 4,455 mm long, 1,875 mm wide and 1,615 mm tall, with a 2,720 mm wheelbase.
The updated model is heavier, with a curb weight of 1,880 kg, up from 1,625–1,690 kg. This increase suggests a larger battery, though BYD hasn’t revealed its capacity yet. It uses a FinDreams battery pack to power the new motor.
The upgraded Atto 3 is expected to go on sale in China later this year. Global markets are likely to follow soon after. The update gives BYD’s best-selling compact SUV a strong boost in both power and charging speed.
