BYD is pushing hard to normalise electric vehicle pricing in Australia, launching the new Atto 2 as the most affordable electric SUV on the market.
It enters the segment at prices that sit alongside equivalent petrol models. That alone is a significant milestone, but after a short drive at the local media launch, it’s clear BYD has tried to ensure the Atto 2 is more than just a headline price.
2026 BYD Atto 2 Dynamic: Specifications
Electrical: 51.1kWh battery, 1x e-motor
Output: 130kW/ 290Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed dauto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 16×6.5, 215/65
Weight: 1555kgPower-to-weight: 11.96:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 345km
Max charge AC/DC: 7kW/82kW
0-100km/h: 7.86 seconds*
Starting price: $31,990
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2026 BYD Atto 2: How much does it cost?
Two variants are being introduced in Australia, including the base Dynamic and the top Premium. Prices start from just $31,990 for the entry, and from $35,990 for the Premium (excluding on-roads).
That makes it the cheapest electric SUV on sale in Australia right now. It also places it right next to rivals like the Chery Tiggo Hybrid (from $29,990), and the GWM Haval Jolion Hybrid (from $32,990).
2026 BYD Atto 2: Interior & packaging
The cabin is one of the Atto 2’s standout strengths. It’s airy and efficiently packaged, with a tall glasshouse and upright proportions that give it more usable space than many small SUVs. Headroom is especially generous for the class, and the square-edged layout contributes to good visibility all around.
Materials and design lean toward simplicity rather than outright flair, but it feels cohesive and well thought-out, with no dash or trim rattles to be heard and minimal use of scratchy plastics. Although, the entry model does come with a plastic steering wheel which feels cheap – like any rival with a plastic wheel.
The standard 12.8-inch touch-screen dominates the dash like a tablet that’s been stuck on as an after-thought, and while its size may be polarising, the graphics are clear and there’s a quick-access drop-down menu to minimise distraction.
Importantly, BYD has recognised that sometimes screens shouldn’t replace everything. So you still get physical buttons for volume, climate shortcuts, and – pleasingly – an actual start/stop button; you can step out of the car for a second and it doesn’t shut everything down. It’s a more user-friendly setup than in some of its EV rivals in our opinion.
For the price point, the Atto 2’s tech package is strong. The interface is supported by the expected Android/Apple integrations (wireless), along with digital radio, voice command, a standard 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, and USB-A and -C ports.
Stepping up to the Premium adds an eight-speaker sound system (four speakers on base model), heated and cooled front seats with power adjustment, power-folding side mirrors, auto one-touch up/down power for all windows (not just the driver), and 17-inch alloy wheels instead of 16s.
Storage is good, with door bins, a deep centre tray under the console, and open sections around the top console that help with day-to-day use and practicality. Rear passengers have decent legroom and headroom for a small SUV, continuing the strong space-efficiency theme. However, width isn’t as accommodating as some rivals. Boot space is respectable, at 380L and expanding to 1320L. There is no front boot.
BYD’s new E platform 3.0 and 51.1kWh Blade Battery architecture underpin the vehicle, offering 345km of range (WLTP). Max charging is available at up to 82kW for DC power, which is a bit low, but keep in mind the battery is relatively small; 0-100 per cent charge is possible in 68 minutes. It’ll take a maximum 7kW with AC power, translating to about 8.2 hours to go from 0-100 per cent charge
2026 BYD Atto 2: Powertrain & handling
With a single electric motor at the front axle, for front-wheel drive, producing 130kW and 290Nm, it is sprightly for a small SUV. Especially compared with most petrol rivals. BYD claims 0-100km/h is achievable in 7.9 seconds, and we tested it on a flat backroad in 7.86 seconds with the Vbox, at around 70 per cent charge.
And unlike most petrol alternatives, the power delivery here is very smooth and quiet, with excellent (and almost immediate) low-end torque. Around town it feels zippy and fun, allowing you to easily keep up with traffic flow and take advantage of gaps without stress.
Compared with some EVs, this is light in weight, maxing out at 1590kg for the Premium (1555kg for the base Dynamic). That’s partly thanks to that smallish battery, and it means it feels pretty much like a petrol SUV of this size in terms of agility.
Ride comfort leans toward the softer end of the scale. In the city, that tuning works beautifully – it bobbles over bumps and patched surfaces and handles low-speed jolts without any fuss. Country roads are a different story.
The torsion-beam rear suspension and comfort-biased setup mean it can feel a little loose and floaty when the pace builds, especially over undulating or rippled sections. It’s not unsafe or unruly, but some rivals, including those with multi-link rears, offer more composure and a broader dynamic range in our opinion.
Steering is predictable, if a touch slow off-centre, and the whole vehicle feels tuned for relaxed, everyday driving rather than anything remotely sporting. For the intended customer, that’s unlikely to be a drawback.
2026 BYD Atto 2: First impressions
The Atto 2 comes across as a genuinely important arrival for Australia’s EV landscape. BYD has positioned it directly against mainstream petrol SUVs not by trying to play on performance or luxury, but by simply making EV ownership financially realistic for the average buyer.
It’s spacious, efficient, pleasant to drive around town and packed with tech for the money. The ride and handling are clearly tuned for comfort, and the basic torsion-beam setup shows its limits on rougher regional roads, but that’s unlikely to sway the core buyer.
As a city-friendly electric SUV with an almost-family-sized cabin and category-shifting pricing, the Atto 2 feels like it has the right mix to draw strong interest. Further testing will reveal more about its real-world range and long-distance behaviour, but for now, it looks like BYD has delivered a convincing new entry point.
2026 BYD Atto 2: Video
