The cheapest electric BYD SUV is due in Australia later this year in the form of the Atto 2, expected to start around $35,000 before on-road costs.
BYD will bring its new Atto 2 small SUV to the Australian market later this year in a bid to offer a more affordable alternative to the Kia EV3.
The compact, full-electric model is scheduled to arrive in the fourth quarter (October-December) pending any delays, and will be offered in two specifications from launch, Essential and Premium.
Prices are yet to be announced, but it is likely to start from around $35,000 before on-road costs to avoid cannibalising sales from the larger Atto 3 SUV (from $39,990) and smaller Dolphin hatchback (from $29,990), which share the same e-Platform 3.0 underpinnings.
Power comes courtesy of a single electric motor that delivers 130kW/290Nm to the front wheels, enough to reach 100km/h from a standstill in a claimed 7.9 seconds.
All grades will utilise a 51kWh lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery good for a claimed 401km of driving range in Chinese lab testing – or about 320km in more stringent conditions – and uses BYD's 'Cell-to-Body' technology to improve structural rigidity and maximise cabin space.
The Atto 2's electric motor, battery, and range fall short of the most affordable EV3's 150kW/283Nm motor, 58.3kWh battery, and 436km WLTP claimed range, but the Kia also starts at an expectedly more expensive $47,600.
Also standard on the Atto 2 is vehicle-to-load (V2L) capacity via the charge port, and DC fast charging of 65kW to recoup 30 to 80 per cent of battery capacity in a claimed 28 minutes.
Inside, there is a two-tone interior with lashings of synthetic leather-look and soft-touch materials, as well as a heat pump to improve energy efficiency in cold temperatures.
Essential grades are fitted with a 10.1-inch rotatable infotainment touchscreen, while the Premium grade is upgraded with a larger 12.8-inch screen.
They are joined by an 8.8-inch instrument panel, head-up display, and six speakers, while other features include a 50-watt vented wireless phone charger and a Bluetooth digital key.
Safety comes courtesy of six airbags, while lane-centring assist and the usual array of active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control are also provided as standard.
Essential versions will also come with a reversing camera, while Premium versions get a full surround-view camera.
The Atto 2 is yet to be tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, and it remains to be seen if it can earn top marks if Australian cars follow overseas versions in lacking a front-centre airbag to prevent head clashes in severe side-impact collisions.
Boot space in overseas models is rated at 400 litres with the rear seats up, and 1340 litres with the seats down, but Australian-market figures are still to be confirmed.
Full pricing, specifications and details will be released closer to the 2026 BYD Atto 2's on-sale date.
After graduating from the Automotive Journalism master’s course at Coventry University, Mark Rainford embarked upon a career in and around the automotive industry that has taken in the UK, Germany, and now China. Residing in the latter for the majority of the last decade, he is our boots-on-the-ground expert for the world’s most dynamic automotive market.
