2024 BYD Yuan Up electric small SUV unveiled

Chinese electric car giant BYD has revealed the Yuan Up, a small electric SUV about the same size as a Hyundai Kona or MG ZS that could be priced from the equivalent of $AU22,000 in its home market.

However the local distributor for BYD told Drive there are no current plans to bring the Yuan Up to the Australian market.

Underpinned by the same platform as the Dolphin hatch and Atto 3 SUV, the Yuan Up measures 4310mm long, 1830mm wide and 1675mm tall – similar to a Hyundai Kona, MG ZS or Mazda CX-3.

It is part of the same model family as the larger, 4455mm-long BYD Atto 3, which is sold in China as the Yuan Plus.

The Yuan Up has a 2620mm wheelbase, and is powered by a 70kW or 130kW electric motor driving the front wheels for up to 400km of claimed driving range.

Inside, the BYD Yuan Up has room for five people, a panoramic sunroof and the same rotating 15-inch infotainment display in other BYD models in Australia and China.

Luke Todd, CEO of BYD's Australian distributor EVDirect, told Drive there are "no plans" for the Yuan Up in Australia – at least for the time being.

BYD's local line-up has expanded from the Atto 3 in 2022, to the Dolphin hatch and Seal sedan last year. The company plans to launch the Seal U mid-sized SUV and a yet-to-be-named plug-in hybrid ute this year.

"We have an exciting existing launch plan with at least two models in 2024," Mr Todd told Drive.

"We look forward to the next vehicle launch which we are aiming for the end of the month pending final regulatory approvals."