You’re taking a look at what’s prone to be Australia’s least expensive new electrical automobile (EV), however its title doesn’t match its cutesy design.
Enter pint-size the BYD Atto 1 – also referred to 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 vast, 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 check cycle and a full suite of lively security techniques 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 will help you resolve.
How a lot does the BYD Atto 1 price?
The Atto 1 can be provided in two variations – the Important and the Premium.
| Mannequin | Value 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 least expensive EV – taking on from BYD’s personal Dolphin Important small hatch, which begins from $29,990.
Anticipate 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 quick stint within the cockpit of the Atto 1 reveals a tidy and purposeful inside that provides minimal frills and most performance.
It will get the identical wavy traces because the bigger Dolphin, albeit with smaller screens, fewer soft-touch supplies, and a much less inspiring color scheme – however given the projected value level, we’re probably not complaining.
There’s a simplified 7.0-inch digital instrument show and a ten.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. The previous may be very fundamental and never as shiny because the bigger models in different BYD fashions, whereas the central touchscreen appears to be like like a shrunken model of the prevailing person 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 effective for this class of car, and the ait-conditioning controls stay bodily toggles on a financial institution of switches just under the display.
The design of the dashboard gives the look of area by way of recessed sections forward of the motive 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 respectable door pockets supply spots to stow your coffees and drink bottles, and there’s a tray below the floating centre console to retailer bigger objects – nevertheless it’s lined with arduous plastic, so stuff rattles round a bit.
One other factor I observed is the restricted grip of the wi-fi cellphone charger, as a result of once I took one of many corners on the journey and dealing with monitor at respectable clip, my iPhone 17 Professional Max flung itself into the passenger footwell as if it was making an attempt 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 reasonably important 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 below 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 sort | 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 fee | TBC | TBC |
| Max DC cost fee | 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 journey 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 value vary and the type of automobiles the Atto 1 can be competing in opposition to. Instantaneous torque from the electrical motor helps make this really feel peppier than naturally aspirated petrol alternate options, and BYD has tuned the entrance e-motor to progressively lay on the ability to stop 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 mild front-end producing eager dynamics befitting of an acid yellow metropolis automobile.
Steering really feel is on the lighter aspect however properly fast, making the Atto 1 a enjoyable little jigger to throw round some cones or, inevitably, fling by way of metropolis streets and alleyways.
I used to be extra impressed by the Atto 1’s efficiency round Lang Lang’s journey/dealing with course – one you’d be acquainted with if you happen to recurrently watch Paul Maric’s movies on the CarExpert YouTube channel.
Signed pace limits of as much as 120km/h, loads of floor modifications, 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 nicely it dealt with it.
Stability at freeway speeds is strong, as is the automobile’s composure by way of high-speed bends and over highway imperfections like simulated practice tracks. It didn’t do fairly as nicely 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 highway noise as you hit coarse-chip bitumen at excessive speeds, nevertheless. It’s an space wherein the Atto 1 trials a few of its equally sized rivals – specifically Euro alternate options just like the Volkswagen Polo.
Different issues to notice embrace 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 out there 360-degree parking digicam within the high-spec mannequin can also be welcome. Even if you happen to don’t suppose you want encompass cameras and sensors in such a small automobile, it’s a fantastic security web for brand spanking new and older drivers who may want a guiding hand, or for that one time you actually need 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 tools 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 companies
- Artificial leather-based trim
- Energy-adjustable entrance seats
- 50W wi-fi cellphone 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 |
| Baby occupant safety | 86 per cent |
| Susceptible highway person safety | 76 per cent |
| Security help | 77 per cent |
*Euro NCAP check scores – might differ from native ANCAP testing
Atto 1 Premium security options embrace:
- 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 coated 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 – automobile 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 essentially 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 decide for most individuals. It has sufficient energy to really feel zippy, and it affords a pure, fundamental driving expertise that harks refreshingly again to less complicated occasions.
Regardless of its diminutive dimensions, it’s quite a bit of automobile for the cash, and little doubt will fear a whole lot of different manufacturers relating to the pricing of their smaller fashions with electrified drivetrains – you would have nearly two of those for the value of a equally outfitted Hyundai Inster, for instance.
The Atto 1 can even be a great check of the Australian public. Now that we’ve got value parity with equal combustion-powered fashions, can we actually need reasonably priced EVs?
Regardless, the BYD Atto 1 is a great-value little electrical automobile that would make for an ideal second automobile, or perhaps a nice main automobile if you happen to solely drive round city. For the ultimate verdict although, we want a full week with it.
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