BYD Atto 3 facelift spotted on road in China – Atto 2 looks, maybe new ADAS, launching Q2 2025?

Sighted in Chinese government filings last month, the facelifted BYD Atto 3 has now been caught on roads in the Middle Kingdom, hinting that a market launch is coming sooner rather than later. These spyshots that surfaced on Car News China show prototypes with visual changes that match the earlier images, proving the veracity of those leaks.

The said changes bring 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.

Last but not least are the new alloy wheels, which are even more covered up for greater aerodynamic efficiency. We are also expecting some styling changes on the inside, perhaps expunging some of the current car’s eccentric fitness- and muscle-inspired touches.

Beyond the visual upgrades, the facelift’s front camera has been moved from below the front bumper to above it. Car News China says this hints at possible new driver assistance systems that may benefit from BYD’s new collaboration with drone and action camera maker DJI, announced in April. This seems unlikely, however, as the actual ADAS camera at the top of the windscreen remains the same monocular unit as before.

Beyond that, the SUV is expected to use the same powertrain and battery options as before. In Malaysia, this means a sole RM149,800 Extended Range model with a single front motor producing 204 PS (150 kW) and 310 Nm of torque, juiced by a 60.48 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that provides a WLTP-rated range of 420 km. There was previously also a 49.92 kWh battery option capable of travelling up to 345 km.

GALLERY: 2024 BYD Atto 3 in Malaysia

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