BYD’s Atto 3 Evo Is Better in Nearly Every Way, But the Market Has Moved On

BYD is bringing a new Atto 3 to Israel called the Atto 3 Evo, short for “evolution.” The model is the latest version of the Chinese electric car that became Israel’s best-selling vehicle about three years ago, held the sales crown for two years, and then faded. The new version looks almost identical to the outgoing car, but BYD says most of the changes are underneath the skin.

The biggest technical shift is an 800-volt platform instead of 400 volts, which greatly improves charging capability. Power climbs from just over 200 horsepower in the previous front-motor model to more than 300 horsepower with the new rear-mounted motor. The battery is larger too, and the official range rises from a little over 400 kilometers to a little over 500 kilometers. The Evo also adds a front trunk.

The base price is 155,000 shekels, down from about 165,000 shekels. In practice, the car charges much faster than before, but not as fast as BYD claims. The company says a 220-kilowatt charge can get the driver moving again in about 25 minutes, yet the test car gained only about half its battery in that time at a 250-kilowatt station.

Inside, the cabin is very similar to the old one, with some screen and software upgrades, including Google-based operating software and a better interface. Still, climate control and safety functions remain buried in menus, which the reviewer called frustrating and potentially dangerous. Rear-seat space is only average, and the floor and headroom do not feel meaningfully improved.

On the road, the suspension is softer, the car is quieter, and it handles better than the outgoing version, making it a better choice for calm driving than for fast travel. After 215 kilometers of mixed urban and extra-urban driving, with the battery dropping from 84% to 25%, the review estimated a realistic range of 350 to 400 kilometers. The conclusion was that the Atto 3 Evo is clearly better than before, but in a market driven by novelty and future charging breakthroughs, that may no longer be enough to reclaim its former dominance.