Here comes Australia's cheapest electric compact car: the BYD Atto 1, with a starting price of $23,990 (excluding on-road costs).
This all-electric compact hatchback is $6,000 AUD cheaper than BYD's own Dolphin compact hatchback, making it the most cost-effective electric vehicle in the local market.
What's more, its price is also lower than a range of popular petrol or hybrid models, including the Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris.
Known as the Seagull or Dolphin Surf in other markets, the Atto 1 is BYD's brand-new entry-level model. It will launch in Australia in December this year and be available in two variants.
2026 BYD Atto 1 Series Australia Pricing (Official Drive-Away Price, AUD)
- 2026 BYD Atto 1 Essential: $26,532 (NSW) or $25,872 (VIC)
- 2026 BYD Atto 1 Premium: $30,652 (NSW) or $30,040 (VIC)
Powertrain and Energy Consumption
The Atto 1 offers two powertrain options, each with a different battery capacity.
| Specification | Essential | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Drive Type | Single Motor | Single Motor |
| Battery Capacity | 30kWh | 43.2kWh |
| Battery Type | Lithium Iron Phosphate | Lithium Iron Phosphate |
| Maximum Power | 65kW | 115kW |
| Peak Torque | 175Nm | 220Nm |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight | 1294kg | 1390kg |
| 0-100km/h (Official) | 11.1 seconds | 9.1 seconds |
| WLTP Driving Range | 220km | 310km |
| Energy Consumption (Claimed) | 15.5kWh/100km | 16kWh/100km |
| Maximum AC Charging Power | 11kW | 11kW |
| Maximum DC Fast Charging Power | 65kW | 85kW |
BYD states that charging from 0-100% via AC power takes 3.5 hours, while DC fast charging from 10-80% takes only 30 minutes. The Atto 1 also supports V2L (Vehicle-to-Load) external discharge function, which can power small household appliances.
Dimensions and Space
The Atto 1 is launched as a five-door hatchback, built on BYD's e-Platform 3.0. It shares the platform with the upcoming Atto 2 and features MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension.
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 3990mm |
| Width | 1720mm |
| Height | 1590mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500mm |
| Boot Capacity (Rear Seats Upright) | 308L |
| Boot Capacity (Rear Seats Folded) | 1037L |
Maintenance and Warranty
BYD Australia has not yet announced the maintenance plan for the Atto 1. However, it offers:
- 6-year / 150,000km vehicle warranty
- 8-year / 160,000km traction battery warranty
Safety
The BYD Atto 1 has not yet received an ANCAP safety rating, but it achieved a five-star rating in the 2025 Euro NCAP tests. Standard safety assist technologies across the range include:
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Autonomous Emergency Braking
- Lane Keep Assist
- Intelligent Speed Limiting Control
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring
- Front Airbags (Driver and Passenger), Side Airbags and Curtain Airbags
- Reverse Camera
- Rear Parking Sensors
Additional features on the Premium variant:
- 360° Surround View Camera
Atto 1 Essential Standard Features
- 15-inch steel wheels + 175/65 R15 Hankook tyres
- Tyre repair kit
- Automatic halogen headlights
- Keyless entry and start
- 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster
- 10.1-inch central control touchscreen
- Wireless / Wired CarPlay & Android Auto
- BYD App Suite (including Disney+, YouTube, etc.)
- 4G Cloud Services & OTA Updates
- 4-speaker audio system
- USB-A and USB-C ports
- Leatherette seats
- Front seats with 4-way manual adjustment
- Leatherette steering wheel
- 2-way steering wheel adjustment
- 50:50 split-folding rear seats
Atto 1 Premium Additional Features
- 16-inch alloy wheels + 185/55 R16 Hankook tyres
- Automatic LED headlights
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Electrically folding exterior mirrors
- Wireless phone charging
- Driver's seat with 6-way electric adjustment
- Passenger's seat with 4-way electric adjustment
- Front seat heating
- 4-way steering wheel adjustment
- One-touch up/down power window for the driver
Exterior and Interior Colours
The interior comes with a standard black/grey two-tone theme. Exterior colour options include:
- Pine Lime
- Apricity White
- Arctic Blue
- Cosmos Black