Slotting in between the Dolphin and Atto 3 in positioning means the 2026 BYD Atto 2 is expected to start from around $35,000.
Electric Cars
BYD’s – and possibly Australia’s – cheapest electric SUV, the 2026 Atto 2, is poised for a circa-$35,000 starting price that would make it more affordable than some petrol-powered models from big-name brands.
Positioned between the Dolphin, which starts from $29,990, and the one-size-up Atto 3, from $39,990, the Atto 2 is likely to open almost exactly between the two in its base Dynamic grade.
A Premium variant will also be offered, likely nudging $40,000, with official pricing and full specifications to be announced closer to the Atto 2’s mid-November on-sale date.
If predictions – and comments from BYD Australia executives – are accurate, the Atto 2 small SUV would undercut other Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) such as the Chery E5 (from $36,990 before on-road costs) and MG S5 (from $40,490).
The Mazda CX-30 and Nissan Qashqai both open just under the $35,000 mark, so it remains to be seen of the Atto 2 can beat them on price.
Regardless of variant however, all Atto 2 models are powered by a front-drive single electric motor that produces 130kW/290Nm for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.9 seconds.
DC fast-charging at up to 82kW is available, able to recoup 10-80 per cent of the battery in a claimed 38.6 minutes, while vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability is also standard.
Measuring 4310mm long, 1830mm wide, 1675mm tall, and with a 2620mm wheelbase, the Atto 2’s boot will accommodate a 380-litre load, expandable to 1320L with the second-row folded.
While exact specification details are still to be revealed, BYD Australia has indicated the top-spec Premium will be fitted with an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and cooled front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, a surround-view monitor, and a wireless smartphone charger.
The Atto 2 Premium also scores a 12.8-inch rotating infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support.
Despite its expected aggressive pricing, BYD Australia boss Stephen Collins is keeping sales expectations for the Atto 2 at around 300 units per month.
“It’s that sort of entry-point to the SUV range, compact, so similar volumes [to Atto 1],” Collins told Drive.
Based on the most recent VFACTS monthly data, this would put the Atto 2 towards the bottom of the BYD hierarchy in terms of popularity, likely positioned above Atto 3 that sold 288 in September.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.