- 2022 BYD Atto 3 pricing and specifications
- First mass-produced electric car from distributor Nexport
- Two variants available, with up to 500km range
- Priced from $44,381 plus on-road costs
The BYD Atto 3 small SUV appears set to be one of Australia’s most affordable electric passenger cars once it reaches local shores in July, priced from $44,381 before on-road costs, according to local distributor Nexport.
After a slow start plagued by delays and limited batches of older vehicles, Sydney-based distributor Nexport plans to launch in July what it claims is the first in a slew of new electric cars from Chinese car giant BYD (short for Build Your Dreams), the Atto 3 small SUV.
The Atto 3 – known as the Yuan Plus in China – claims to be priced from $44,990 drive-away – however, differences in government stamp duty and registration charges between states means this only applies in Tasmania.
In other states, the drive-away price for the entry-level variant is as high as $47,931. The price before on-road costs and government charges – which applies nationwide – is $44,381.85.
Australia’s most affordable electric passenger car (while stocks last), the similarly-sized MG ZS EV, is also $44,990 drive-away – however this price applies nationwide, not just in Tasmania.
All BYD vehicles imported by Nexport will be sold through the company’s EVDirect website, with sales to be conducted through a non-negotiable, all-online process, aided by a physical experience store soon to open in Sydney for in-person impressions.
Two variant of the Atto 3 will be offered in Australia at launch – priced from $44,990 and $47,990 drive-away respectively.
The entry-level Atto 3/Yuan Plus is powered by a 50.1kWh battery of BYD’s Blade design – with lithium-ion phosphate cells said to be more durable than a traditional lithium-ion pack – feeding a 150kW/310Nm electric motor driving the front wheels.
This entry-level model is capable of 320km of claimed range according to European WLTP testing, along with a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.3 seconds.
Meanwhile, the range-topping variant is powered by a 60.4kWh battery pack, increasing the claimed range to 420km (again per European WLTP test protocols).
Compared to its identically-priced $44,990 drive-away MG ZS EV rival, the entry-level BYD Atto 3 claims to offer about 60km more range (vs 263km), develop 45kW more power (but 43Nm less torque), and sprint to 100km/h nearly one second quicker (8.2s in the MG).
The entry and flagship variants are differentiated only by their battery sizes, and share the same level of standard equipment.
All the features available in China are standard Down Under, which include a 12.8-inch rotating centre touchscreen, 5.0-inch instrument display, alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and wireless phone charging.
The first 1500 right-hand-drive examples of the 2022 BYD Atto 3 is claimed to arrive in Australia in July, with Nexport claiming up to 15,000 vehicles can be produced each year.
2022 BYD Atto 3 Australian pricing
- Atto 3 Superior Standard Range – $44,381
- Atto 3 Superior Extended Range – $47,381
Note: All prices above are before on-road costs.
2022 BYD Atto 3 Superior standard features:
- 12.8-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen with Bluetooth
- 5.0-inch digital instrument display
- Wireless phone charging
- Keyless entry and start
- Panoramic sunroof
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Power-adjustable side mirrors with heating
- Roof rails
- 60:40 split-folding rear seats
- Type 2 AC three-phase charging capabilities
Keyword: 2022 BYD Atto 3 price and specs: Electric SUV here from $44,381 plus on-road costs