BYD appears to be quietly preparing to bring another battery-electric SUV to Australia after a patent for the BYD Atto 3 Up was lodged for Australia and New Zealand. Believed to correspond to the small BYD Yuan Up currently sold in China, the model is expected to sit beneath the existing Atto 3 in BYD’s local line-up and target buyers of compact, value-oriented EVs – notably the strong-selling MG ZS EV.

Positioning and pricing

In China the Yuan Up is priced from 96,800 yuan (around A$20,500), but that basic specification lacks several safety items mandatory in Australia, including autonomous emergency braking. Once local regulatory and equipment requirements are factored in, the 2025 BYD Atto 3 Up is more realistically expected to land in an Australian price band between about A$30,000 and A$40,000 (plus on‑road costs). That would place it alongside the Dolphin hatch – due for an update and repositioning in 2025 – and below the locally priced Atto 3, which starts from A$44,490 (plus ORCs).

Dimensions and platform

The Atto 3 Up shares a clear family resemblance with the Atto 3 but is physically smaller. Dimensions are 4,310mm long, 1,830mm wide and 1,675mm tall, with a 2,620mm wheelbase – essentially the same footprint as a Hyundai Kona. That compact package aims to deliver urban practicality while keeping running costs low for mainstream buyers.

Powertrain and range

In China the Yuan Up is offered with a single e‑motor in several tunes, from about 70kW/180Nm up to 130kW/290Nm. The most powerful variant can sprint 0-100km/h in around 7.9 seconds. Two battery options are available there: a smaller 32kWh pack that delivers approximately 301km on the lenient Chinese CLTC test cycle, and a larger 45.1kWh Blade battery that claims up to 401km CLTC. Taking into account more realistic international testing (WLTP), the larger battery would likely deliver roughly 350km of range in Australian conditions.

Interior and equipment

Despite its budget positioning, the Atto 3 Up appears well specified. All models in China receive an 8.8‑inch digital instrument cluster, while infotainment is offered with either a 10.1‑inch screen or a larger 12.8‑inch rotating display depending on trim. Standard and available features include a multi‑function steering wheel, head‑up display, leather seats, smartphone mirroring, LED lighting, sport‑style front seats and a 60:40‑split folding rear bench. Higher‑spec models add a fixed glass roof, electric seats and an upgraded sound system.

What it means for the Australian market

If BYD brings the Atto 3 Up to Australia in 2025, it will reinforce the brand’s strategy of offering a full ladder of EVs to cover entry-level buyers through to larger family models. A competitively priced, well‑equipped small SUV would be a direct challenger to the MG ZS EV and could broaden BYD’s appeal in suburban and regional markets where compact SUVs are popular.

Timing and outlook

BYD Australia has yet to confirm a launch date, but local filings and the company’s aggressive rollout plans suggest a 2025 arrival is probable. The Atto 3 Up is expected to be one of at least five new BYD models arriving in Australia that year, alongside the confirmed Sealion 7 and the anticipated BYD Tang seven‑seat SUV.

Conclusion

The Atto 3 Up could be an important addition to BYD’s Australian range: compact, value‑focused and likely to offer strong equipment levels for the price. If launched in the projected A$30k-A$40k band, it will intensify competition in the small electric SUV segment and give buyers another practical, low‑running‑cost option. Watch for formal confirmation from BYD Australia as specifications and local pricing are finalised ahead of a likely 2025 debut.

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