The rolodex of BYD news today continues with the launch of the facelifted Atto 3 in China. As previously reported, there are several detail changes to the exterior design, but now we know there are also some significant interior changes, plus the company’s new God’s Eye autonomous driving system as standard.
Like the also-facelifted Dolphin, the Atto 3 gains the base God’s Eye C (DiPilot 100) system, bringing with it highway autonomous driving, automated lane changes, obstacle avoidance and a route memory function that enables the system to learn frequently-used routes. Automated valet parking is also fitted, along with the usual features like autonomous emergency braking and blind spot monitoring.
As revealed in previous leaks and official photos, the facelift brings the styling of the Atto 3 in line with its younger, smaller and cheaper sibling, the Atto 2 (also known as the Yuan Up). The front bumper features sharper incisions in the corners, in which sit the redesigned air inlets. These join a downturned centre inlet, giving the SUV a sportier look overall.
At the back, the bumper design mirrors that of the front and includes a smaller decorative skid plate. It’s joined by a new tailgate spoiler with a scalloped centre section and pause icon-inspired dual brake lights. The full-width taillights initially look the same as before, but look closely and you’ll spot wave-like interlocking light signatures – another cue taken from the Atto 2, as well as the Dolphin.
But the most surprising change is on the C-pillars – the scale-like panel is gone, replaced by a simple continuation of the silver window trim, stopping just short of connecting with the body-coloured “fin” beneath. There are even new rear quarter windows to facilitate this, while the rocker panels get a slimmer silver strip for a cleaner look.
Along the side, the new side-view cameras required for the God’s Eye system necessitated the ditching of the “BYD Design” strips on the front fenders. Last but not least are the new 17- and 18-inch alloy wheels, which are even more covered up for greater aerodynamic efficiency.
On the inside, the Atto 3 finally ditches much of its eccentric fitness- and muscle-inspired touches. The dashboard and door panels, previously ribbed for your pleasure, are now all smooth with classy stitching, although the pull-back door openers and the “guitar strings” on the door pockets remain. The latter are now finished in black, however, helping them better blend in with the rest of the interior.
The original’s outlandish blue-and-white colour scheme has also been given way to more sober choices, including white and a full black. There’s also a new, cleaner-looking three-spoke steering, similar to the one in the M6 MPV.
Like the Dolphin facelift, the Atto 3 graduates from a tiny five-inch digital instrument display to a much larger 8.8-inch unit, although the choice of 12.8- or 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreens (again fixed in the landscape orientation, no more rotating) remains. There’s also still a 12-inch head-up display.
The centre console has also been redesigned to offer more useable space, thanks to the jettisoning of the gearlever in favour of a column-mounted stalk. In its place are two Tesla-style phone holders (only one of which has a Qi wireless charger), twin cupholders and a refrigerator under the centre armrest, replete with a temperature control knob. Last but not least, hidden drawers have been added underneath the rear seats.
Mechanically, the Atto 3 remains unchanged, powered by a single front motor that produces 204 PS (150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque. Buyers continue to get a choice of either a 49.92 kWh or a 60.48 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, delivering a range of 430 km and 510 km respectively on China’s incredibly optimistic CLTC cycle. On the WLTP cycle, the car returns 345 km for the Standard Range model and 420 km for the Extended Range. Pricing ranges from 115,800 yuan (RM70,700) to 145,800 yuan (RM89,000).
In Malaysia, a revised version of the Atto 3 has been teased, with some 2025 model year updates expected. However, this more substantial facelift isn’t expected to arrive here until next year at the earliest, just like the Dolphin facelift.
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