BYD Atto 3 Independent guide

History

BYD Atto 3 history

The BYD Atto 3 is the export name of the BYD Yuan Plus, a compact electric SUV that went on sale in China in February 2022. It was BYD's first global model, and it passed 1 million sales in 39 months. By 2026, the name covered several different cars, depending on the market.

Last reviewed: September 2026

Timeline

BYD Atto 3 history timeline
DateEvent
August 2021Yuan Plus shown at the Chengdu Motor Show
February 2022On sale in China; orders open in Australia
April 2022Launched in Macau under the Atto 3 name
July 2022Launched in Singapore
September 2022First Australian customer car delivered; European pre-sale price of €38,000
November 2022Launched in India; five-star ANCAP rating
January 2023On sale in Japan
March 2023On sale in the UK
June 20251 million sales
February 2026Atto 3 Evo revealed in Europe
May 2026Third-generation Yuan Plus launched in China
September 2026Atto 3 Evo on sale in Australia

Origin in China

BYD showed the Yuan Plus at the Chengdu Motor Show in August 2021 as a 4,455 mm SUV with 50 kWh and 60 kWh batteries. It sits on BYD's e-Platform 3.0, which BYD announced at the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2021. The Dolphin hatchback was the first model on that platform, and the Yuan Plus was its first SUV. In mid-2022, the Yuan Plus cost RMB 137,800 to RMB 165,800 in China after subsidies.

Design

The exterior was designed under Wolfgang Egger, BYD's design director. BYD describes the shape as the next step of its 'Dragon Face' design language, and it quotes a drag coefficient of 0.29. The design page covers the styling and the later updates.

Going global

Outside China, the Atto 3 name was first used in Australia, where orders opened in February 2022. Macau followed in April and Singapore in July. The first Australian customer car was handed over in September 2022, when BYD reported more than 4,000 local buyers waiting. Europe came next: in September 2022, BYD announced a pre-sale price of €38,000 and deliveries to Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany.

India followed in November 2022 at ₹33.99 lakh, Japan in January 2023 at 4.4 million yen, and the UK in March 2023 from £36,490. Nepal received the car in 2022 as well, and from February 2023 it sold a 100 kW version. The Nepal and India pages cover those markets.

Safety ratings

Euro NCAP rated the Atto 3 at five stars in 2022, with 91% for adult occupants, 89% for children, 69% for vulnerable road users, and 74% for safety assist. ANCAP followed with five stars in November 2022, scoring 91%, 84%, 69%, and 80% in the same areas. The safety page covers the ratings and the early Australian builds.

Sales and awards

The Yuan Plus passed 300,000 sales in 14 months and 1 million in 39 months, according to CnEVPost. In Thailand, the Atto 3 was the best-selling EV of 2023, with more than 12,500 delivered. In Australia, it was the third best-selling EV of 2023, with 11,042 sales behind the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.

Its awards include "Best EV SUV" at Thailand's Car of the Year 2023 and "Best Electric Vehicle Under $70,000" at the 2023 Drive Car of the Year in Australia. BYD also describes it as the most awarded EV of 2022 in New Zealand.

One name, several cars

By 2026, "Atto 3" no longer meant one car. The 2024 update brought a 15.6-inch screen in place of the 12.8-inch unit, in markets including Japan and Australia. In February 2026, BYD revealed the Atto 3 Evo in Europe, with a 74.8 kWh battery, an 800-volt system, and rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Australia's Evo went on sale in September 2026 with a 60.48 kWh Dynamic and a 74.88 kWh Premium.

In May 2026, BYD launched a third-generation Yuan Plus in China. Electrive, citing Auto Trader NZ, reports that BYD plans to sell it overseas as the Atto 5 from 2027. At 4,665 mm long, it is a larger car than the 4,455 mm Evo. Meanwhile, Nepal sells a refreshed 2026 Atto 3 with the 100 kW motor, and India still sells the classic car. The model years page covers the Australian changes year by year.

Atto 3 history FAQ

When did the BYD Atto 3 come out?

The Atto 3 went on sale in China, as the Yuan Plus, in February 2022, after its debut at the Chengdu Motor Show in August 2021. Australian orders opened the same month, and the first Australian customer car was delivered in September 2022.

What is the BYD Atto 3 called in China?

In China, the Atto 3 is sold as the BYD Yuan Plus. Atto 3 is the name BYD uses in overseas markets.

How many BYD Atto 3s have been sold?

The Yuan Plus and Atto 3 passed 1 million sales worldwide in June 2025, 39 months after the February 2022 launch.

Sources

Dates and figures were checked in September 2026. This site is independent of BYD.