- BYD gives us an official sneak peek of the ultra-affordable Yuan Up SUV, set to shake up the market with a price range between $14,000-$20,000.
- Despite toppling Tesla in EV sales, BYD targets Europe and North America, aiming to redefine its image with the Yuan Up SUV.
- The Yuan Up, part of BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, is a compact A0-class SUV, boasting traditional design elements, a single electric motor, and a range of 401 km (249 miles).
BYD unveils game-changing Yuan Up SUV, redefining affordability and range
Just a week after the first teaser, BYD has unveiled the first official images of their upcoming compact SUV, the Yuan Up. With an expected price range of $14,000 to $20,000, it’s set to shake up the market as an ultra-affordable EV in China, possibly heading to other markets soon.
In 2023, BYD dethroned Tesla in EV sales – but, its brand still lags behind. Acknowledging its image challenge in Europe and North America, the auto giant aims to reshape perceptions by exporting more appealing models to fresh markets.
Set to establish its European EV production hub in Hungary, BYD is poised to challenge the dominance of legacy EU automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen in the executive suite. Despite this ambition, BYD remains committed to maintaining competitive pricing, keeping Tesla as its primary rival in the market.
BYD is gearing up for substantial growth, aiming to achieve a minimum of $4 billion in net income this year. Its strategy heavily relies on a new fleet of EVs, targeting markets globally, including Japan and Europe. Leading the charge is the Yuan Up SUV, the first A0-class SUV on BYD’s e-Platform 3.0, which premiered in 2021 and supports other brand EVs like the Dolphin.
Back in January, BYD teased the Yuan Up SUV with a mysterious image, adding to its lineup alongside the Yuan Pro and Yuan Plus. Now, the Chinese automaker has shed more light on its latest creation, revealing six additional images of the compact SUV.
The visuals showcase a rugged yet sleek exterior design.






The Yuan Up embraces traditional SUV design elements within its compact A0 class footprint. Typically, A0 vehicles feature a wheelbase length ranging from 2.2 to 2.5 meters (7.2-8.2 feet), a category the Yuan Up comfortably fits into.
While BYD hasn’t officially unveiled the dimensions of the new Yuan SUV, a regulatory filing in China suggests it will measure 4,310 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, and 1,675 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm – slightly larger than its Dolphin counterpart on the same platform. The filing also suggests that the BYD Yuan Up will feature a single electric motor and come in three versions, all boasting an impressive 401 km (249 miles) of range.
Reports indicate that dealers will pay RMB 120,000 ($16,900), RMB 125,000 ($17,600), and RMB 130,000 ($18,300) for the three versions of the BYD Yuan SUV. These dealer prices usually mean slightly lower MSRPs for consumers once finalised.
As anticipation mounts for the release of the Yuan Up, all eyes are on BYD. With speculation surrounding its potential debut in China for under $16,000, the stage is set. While final pricing and global market plans remain undisclosed, the prospect of an affordable model like the Yuan Up holds promise for consumers worldwide. As BYD continues to innovate and expand its reach, the future of e-mobility appears increasingly promising and accessible.