BYD prices Atto 3 Evo from $59,990, arriving this month

BYD has priced the Atto 3 Evo for New Zealand from $59,990, with the substantially updated electric SUV reaching local dealerships later this month, and a $10,000 gap opening over runout versions of the car it replaces.

The Evo is not an all-new model, but it is a significant reworking of the SUV BYD has sold here since 2022, moving to the 800-volt e-Platform 3.0 architecture and, for the first time, offering front, rear and all-wheel drive versions.

Outside, the Evo adopts BYD’s Dragon Face styling for a more mature look. Inside there is a new column-mounted gear shifter, an 8.8-inch digital cluster and a standard wireless phone charger, along with BYD’s Di-Link connected system, which the company says makes for a more intuitive experience.

Three powertrains, three prices

The entry Dynamic, at $59,990, carries over the current car’s 60.48kWh Blade battery and 150kW, 310Nm front motor, good for 420km on the WLTP cycle and a 7.3 second run to 100km/h. DC charging improves to a 110kW peak.

The mid-range Premium, at $65,990, is where the bigger changes land. A 74.88kWh Blade battery lifts range to 510km, drive moves to the rear axle through a 230kW, 380Nm motor, and the 0-100km/h time drops to 5.5 seconds. DC charging doubles to 220kW, enough for a 10 to 80% charge in around 25 minutes.

The flagship Performance, at $75,990, adds a second motor for all-wheel drive and combined outputs of 330kW and 560Nm, cutting the sprint to 3.9 seconds. Range on the same 74.88kWh battery settles at 470km, with the Premium’s 220kW charging retained.

Braked towing is rated at 750kg for the Dynamic and 1500kg for the Premium and Performance. Ski White is the standard colour, with Athene Blue, Harbour Grey, Cosmos Black, Atlantis Grey and Parkour Red adding $950.

A pricier neighbourhood

The pricing moves the Atto 3 into different competitive territory. The entry Dynamic now matches the XPeng G6 on price, while the Performance sits $10,000 above the Leapmotor B10 AWD and $15,000 clear of the MG4 X Power.

BYD is softening the transition at both ends. The outgoing Atto 3 is on runout at $49,990, and existing owners are being offered a complimentary three-year service plan when trading their current Atto 3 in on a new Evo. The pitch to the early adopters who made the original one of New Zealand’s best-selling EVs leans on the upgrades in charging speed, range, performance and technology the new platform brings.

The Atto 3 Evo arrives in showrooms this month.