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You’re taking a look at what’s more likely to be Australia’s most cost-effective new electrical car (EV), however its title doesn’t match its cutesy design.
Enter pint-size the BYD Atto 1 – often known as the Seagull in China and the Dolphin Surf in Europe – a light-class electrical hatchback that would actually shake issues up on the attainable finish of the market.
Measuring simply 3990mm lengthy and 1720mm huge, is about the identical measurement because the hybrid-powered Toyota Yaris however with a battery electrical drivetrain and a very attainable price ticket – which BYD guarantees will begin across the $25,000 mark.
With as much as 310km of vary on the WLTP take a look at cycle and a full suite of lively security methods throughout the vary, the Atto 1 hopes to seize the eye of patrons that could be swayed by a city-sized EV for city commuting and/or to be used as a second or third automobile.
Must you think about this over the Yaris, Mazda 2, MG 3, or Suzuki Swift? We scored a fast drive on the Lang Lang proving floor to get an early style forward of the Atto 1’s launch in November that can assist you resolve.
How a lot does the BYD Atto 1 price?
The Atto 1 can be supplied in two variations – the Important and the Premium.
| Mannequin | Worth earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| 2026 BYD Atto 1 Important | $TBC |
| 2026 BYD Atto 1 Premium | $TBC |
BYD Australia has indicated the Important ought to begin across the $25,000 mark, which might simply make it Australia’s most cost-effective EV – taking up from BYD’s personal Dolphin Important small hatch, which begins from $29,990.
Count on the higher-spec Premium to be priced from round $30,000.
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What’s the BYD Atto 1 like on the within?
A short stint within the cockpit of the Atto 1 reveals a tidy and purposeful inside that gives minimal frills and most performance.
It will get the identical wavy strains because the bigger Dolphin, albeit with smaller screens, fewer soft-touch supplies, and a much less inspiring color scheme – however given the projected worth level, we’re not likely complaining.
There’s a simplified 7.0-inch digital instrument show and a ten.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. The previous may be very primary and never as shiny because the bigger items in different BYD fashions, whereas the central touchscreen appears to be like like a shrunken model of the prevailing consumer interface in fashions just like the Dolphin and Atto 3.
I didn’t have time to mess around with it an excessive amount of nevertheless it appears superb for this class of auto, and the ait-conditioning controls stay bodily toggles on a financial institution of switches just under the display screen.
The design of the dashboard gives the look of area through recessed sections forward of the driving force and passenger, and the open-plan structure additional provides to the airiness. The leatherette upholstery provides a layer of luxe, too.
Large cupholders and first rate door pockets supply spots to stow your coffees and drink bottles, and there’s a tray underneath the floating centre console to retailer bigger gadgets – nevertheless it’s lined with exhausting plastic, so stuff rattles round a bit.
One other factor I observed is the restricted grip of the wi-fi telephone charger, as a result of after I took one of many corners on the experience and dealing with monitor at first rate clip, my iPhone 17 Professional Max flung itself into the passenger footwell as if it was attempting to flee – higher luck subsequent time, Agent Apple.
Apart from that, there’s good area for adults even at my top (6’1″), because of plentiful legroom and kneeroom for its measurement, in addition to beneficiant headroom courtesy of the tall roofline.
Additional again, BYD quotes 308 litres of cargo capability with the rear seats in place, increasing to a wholesome 1037L with them folded – although there’s a fairly vital step up from the boot ground to the rear seat backs.
| Dimensions | BYD Atto 1 |
|---|---|
| Size | 3990mm |
| Width | 1720mm |
| Top | 1590mm |
| Wheelbase | 2500mm |
| Cargo capability | 308-1037L |
What’s underneath the bonnet?
Every mannequin variant runs a unique electrical motor and battery setup, with the Premium gaining considerably extra pep and vary.
| Specs | Atto 1 Important | Atto 1 Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Drivetrain | Single-motor electrical | Single-motor electrical |
| Battery | 30kWh LFP | 43.2kWh LFP |
| Energy | 65kW | 115kW |
| Torque | 175Nm | 220Nm |
| Drive kind | Entrance-wheel drive | Entrance-wheel drive |
| Weight | 1294kg | 1390kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 11.1 seconds | 9.1 seconds |
| Vitality consumption (claimed) | TBC | TBC |
| Claimed vary – WLTP | 220km | 310km |
| Max AC cost charge | TBC | TBC |
| Max DC cost charge | TBC | 30 minutes |
How does the BYD Atto 1 drive?
Our time with the Atto 1 was restricted to about 45 minutes behind the wheel, driving across the skid pan in addition to the experience and dealing with course in between capturing picture and video content material.
Driving an early local-spec Atto 1 Premium for this stint, we had the prospect to topic it to some standing begins, a motorkhana-style dealing with course, and a few extra dynamic driving on the dealing with course that simulates high-speed nation roads – removed from the kind of pure habitat the Atto 1 will usually be pushed in.
First impressions are fairly good, given the projected worth vary and the form of automobiles the Atto 1 can be competing towards. Instantaneous torque from the electrical motor helps make this really feel peppier than naturally aspirated petrol options, and BYD has tuned the entrance e-motor to progressively lay on the ability to forestall the entrance wheels spinning up aimlessly.
It will get going with gusto and nonetheless has a little bit of spunk once you throw it into corners, with the EV battery making a low centre of gravity and a comparatively gentle front-end producing eager dynamics befitting of an acid yellow metropolis automobile.
Steering really feel is on the lighter facet however properly fast, making the Atto 1 a enjoyable little jigger to throw round some cones or, inevitably, fling via metropolis streets and alleyways.
I used to be extra impressed by the Atto 1’s efficiency round Lang Lang’s experience/dealing with course – one you’d be acquainted with in the event you recurrently watch Paul Maric’s movies on the CarExpert YouTube channel.
Signed velocity limits of as much as 120km/h, loads of floor adjustments, and quite a few bends and undulations supplied a good suggestion of how the Atto 1 would fare as soon as you permit metropolis limits – and it shocked me how effectively it dealt with it.
Stability at freeway speeds is strong, as is the automobile’s composure via high-speed bends and over street imperfections like simulated prepare tracks. It didn’t do fairly as effectively over sine waves at 120km/h, however given its price ticket and city-slicker pitch, I ain’t mad at it.
You’ll discover a good bit of wind and street noise as you hit coarse-chip bitumen at excessive speeds, nonetheless. It’s an space during which the Atto 1 trials a few of its equally sized rivals – specifically Euro options just like the Volkswagen Polo.
Different issues to notice embody the selectable drive modes – together with Eco, Regular and Sport – which tailor the steering and throttle response to every profile. The Atto 1 is noticeably peppier in Sport.
Having an obtainable 360-degree parking digital camera within the high-spec mannequin can be welcome. Even in the event you don’t suppose you want encompass cameras and sensors in such a small automobile, it’s an awesome security internet for brand new and older drivers who would possibly want a guiding hand, or for that one time you really want it to keep away from dinging it.
What do you get?
The Atto 1’s two trim ranges haven’t been absolutely detailed but, however we all know what some the top-spec variant’s highlights can be.
2026 BYD Atto 1 Premium gear highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 185/55 R16 Hankook tyres
- 7.0-inch digital instrument panel
- 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
- Wi-fi Android Auto
- OTA software program updates
- 4G cloud providers
- Artificial leather-based trim
- Energy-adjustable entrance seats
- 50W wi-fi telephone charger
- V2L functionality
Is the BYD Atto 1 protected?
The Atto 1 hasn’t been rated by ANCAP as but, although the European-market Dolphin Surf lately achieved a 2025 five-star ranking from Euro NCAP.
| Class | BYD Dolphin Surf* |
|---|---|
| Grownup occupant safety | 82 per cent |
| Little one occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Weak street consumer safety | 76 per cent |
| Security help | 77 per cent |
*Euro NCAP take a look at scores – might differ from native ANCAP testing
Atto 1 Premium security options embody:
- 6 airbags
- 360-degree cameras
- ‘Superior Driving Help System’
How a lot does the BYD Atto 1 price to run?
The Atto 1 can be lined by BYD Australia’s six-year, 150,000km guarantee, whereas the traction battery can be backed by an eight-year, 160,000km guarantee.
| Servicing and Guarantee | BYD Atto 1 |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 6 years or 150,000km – car 8 years or 160,000km – battery |
| Roadside help | 12 months then service activated |
| Service intervals | TBC |
| Capped-price servicing | TBC |
| Complete capped-price service price | TBC |
CarExpert’s Tackle the BYD Atto 1
To be frank, I didn’t get sufficient wheel time to actually decide whether or not the Atto 1 is a correct game-changer.
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My early impressions of the high-spec Premium model is that it’ll probably be the choose for most individuals. It has sufficient energy to really feel zippy, and it provides a pure, primary driving expertise that harks refreshingly again to less complicated instances.
Regardless of its diminutive dimensions, it’s rather a lot of automobile for the cash, and little doubt will fear loads of different manufacturers in relation to the pricing of their smaller fashions with electrified drivetrains – you could possibly have virtually two of those for the value of a equally geared up Hyundai Inster, for instance.
The Atto 1 may also be a superb take a look at of the Australian public. Now that we’ve got worth parity with equal combustion-powered fashions, will we actually need inexpensive EVs?
Regardless, the BYD Atto 1 is a great-value little electrical automobile that would make for an ideal second car, or perhaps a nice main car in the event you solely drive round city. For the ultimate verdict although, we want a full week with it.
Click on the pictures for the total gallery
MORE: Discover the BYD showroom
